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Brian “Killah B” Bates was glad to have a song with Beyoncé, but he did not know whether “TEXAS HOLD ’EM” would become a single. He expected it might be released months later; instead, he discovered it was dropping during the 2024 Super Bowl. His account, in a 2025 interview with Vocalo, describes surprise at the song’s role and timing—not a claim that he dismissed the song itself.
What did Killah B say about “TEXAS HOLD ’EM” at first?
Bates said he was happy to have made a song with Beyoncé but was unsure what would happen to it. In his account, he thought its release might come months after the paperwork was finished and did not know it would be a single. That is the context behind the headline’s “did not take it seriously” framing: the Vocalo interview does not quote Bates using those words.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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RENAISSANCE | $12.98 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Dangerously In Love | $9.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
BEYONCÉ | $10.27 | Buy on Amazon |
Instead, Bates described the session as casual and exploratory: “We were just messing around with some country ideas.” His surprise came when the finished track became part of an immediate, high-profile release rather than a song whose timing and role he already knew.
How did the song come together?
Bates recalled working with collaborators on country ideas, building guitar chords and then adding claps and whistles. They completed the writing and production and sent the track to Beyoncé’s team. He said Beyoncé brought in ideas that amplified it, describing her contribution this way: “As I have said in numerous interviews, she ‘Beyoncified’ the record.” Vocalo’s interview with Bates was lightly edited and condensed for clarity.
#1 Best Overall
- Genre: Pop
- Number of Discs: 1
- Number of Tracks: 16
- Number of Albums: 1
- Album Title: Renaissance
How did Bates find out the song was being released?
Bates was watching the Super Bowl when Beyoncé’s commercial aired. He took it as a sign that an album rollout was beginning, not as an announcement that his track was about to appear. As he recalled, he was “Not even realizing that she’s gearing up to drop my song in five seconds.” He recognized the release when the track appeared on Beyoncé’s page. “I screamed. I screamed. It was crazy,” he said.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Who produced and wrote “TEXAS HOLD ’EM”?
Official Charts lists the track as produced by Beyoncé, Nathan Ferraro and Killah B, and identifies it as a lead single from RENAISSANCE Act II. Its songwriting credits include Beyoncé and Brian Bates. Apple Music lists “TEXAS HOLD ’EM – Single” as a one-song, three-minute Country release dated February 11, 2024, issued by Parkwood Entertainment under exclusive license to Columbia Records.
Rank #2
- Shrink-wrapped
The song was nominated for the 2025 Grammy for Best Country Song; the Recording Academy’s record lists it as a nominee. Vocalo’s introduction separately says Bates took home two awards for his work on Cowboy Carter; that is distinct from the song’s Best Country Song nomination.
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Rank #3
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