Producer Killah B Makes History with Beyoncé’s First Country Song, ‘Texas Hold ‘Em’

Music producer Brian “Killah B” Bates had already carved out a niche for himself in the music industry, but it was his work on Beyoncé’s latest album, specifically the single “Texas Hold ‘Em,” that marked his historic foray into the country music scene. This achievement, Bates says, is just the beginning.

Bates, a three-time Grammy-nominated producer, has worked with music heavyweights like Ariana Grande, Usher, Chris Brown, Summer Walker, and Jason Derulo. However, it wasn’t until his collaboration with Beyoncé on “Texas Hold ‘Em” that he ventured into country music, breaking records along the way.

“I feel amazing. I just feel like I could take over the world,” Bates shared. “That’s the type of energy we young Black creators need. To make my mark on our history, I’m so honored. And there’s a responsibility that comes with that, which I intend to uphold.”

Earlier this year, Beyoncé made history as the first Black woman to top Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart when “Texas Hold ‘Em” debuted at No. 1. Bates, along with Raphael Saadiq, became the first Black producers to top the country chart with the hit.

A native of Chicago, Bates recalls a challenging upbringing with both parents struggling with addiction. His grandparents stepped in to raise him and his brother, helping them avoid becoming products of their environment.

“My grandfather was a jazz musician in Chicago,” Bates recounted. “He couldn’t focus on his music career because he had a family. So, when he saw my musical talent, he invested in me and nurtured my abilities.”

Bates’ grandfather enrolled him in piano lessons, and he quickly became a classically trained musician. Self-teaching himself the drums, Bates began playing in church, further honing his musical skills.

“My father would play country, classic rock, and ’70s R&B all day,” Bates remembers. “Outside of that, I would search for and study other genres myself. I studied Luke Bryan, the Dixie Chicks, and more.”

After moving to Atlanta and then Los Angeles to pursue his dreams, Bates started making a name for himself in the industry. His journey to “Texas Hold ‘Em” began when a friend introduced him to Beyoncé’s representatives almost two years before the song’s release.

“She was instantly blown away and asked for the files,” Bates said. Beyoncé then added her touch to the record, and when Bates heard it, he was also “blown away.”

Although “Texas Hold ‘Em” was his first country project, Bates felt prepared for it. “I had studied so many country songs in the past that when it was time to make this song, it was in my DNA,” he said. “The way I study music allows me to capture every genre’s essence and authenticity.”

Bates emphasized the significant place Black artists hold in country music. “Black people created the instruments and the styling of country music,” he said. “We are at the forefront of country music; it was taken from us at some point. This is part of our culture.”

In February, Beyoncé shook the music world by releasing two singles, “16 Carriages” and “Texas Hold ‘Em,” and announcing a country album during a Super Bowl commercial. Within a week, “Texas Hold ‘Em” debuted at No. 54 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart, and Beyoncé’s songs quickly topped playlists and charts on Apple Music and Spotify.

“When ‘Texas Hold ‘Em’ dropped, my whole world dropped,” Bates said. “It was the craziest marketing strategy ever.”

Beyoncé followed up by releasing her full country album “Cowboy Carter” on March 29, continuing to make history and break records.

Bates says he’s honored to be part of such a significant moment. Looking ahead, fans can expect more diverse hits from him. “I have more country records coming out,” he said. “I’ve been working on more country stuff and plan to sweep through Nashville. But I also have a lot of dance, pop, and rock ‘n’ roll tracks in the works. Expect me to excel across various genres.”