Beyoncé Pays Tribute to Her Kids on ‘Cowboy Carter’ Ballad ‘Protector’

Beyoncé tapped several notable guest vocalists for Cowboy Carter, including Willie Nelson and Post Malone, but perhaps the most notable is her own daughter, Rumi Carter. On album cut “Protector,” six-year-old Rumi can be heard saying, “Mom, can I hear the lullaby please?” The query leads into an emotional acoustic ballad that sees Beyoncé celebrating her children, twins Rumi and Sir and 12-year-old Blue Ivy.

“And I will lead you down that road if you lose your way/ Born to be a protector,” the singer intones on the soulful track. “Even though I know someday you’re gonna shine on your own/ I will be your projector.”

Beyoncé has previously enlisted Blue to be part of her music career. Blue Ivy appeared on 2013 song “Blue” and was part of last year’s Renaissance tour. She won her first Grammy at nine years old for her work on Beyoncé’s “Brown Skin Girl,” which appeared on the Lion King: The Gift soundtrack. Rumi previously made an appearance in Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé.

Beyoncé dropped Cowboy Carter last night. The LP serves as the second installment of Beyoncé’s “three-act project,” which began with 2022’s Renaissance. The album was announced with just the title Act II back in February following a big Super Bowl ad, with Beyoncé sharing two singles as well: “Texas Hold ‘Em” and “16 Carriages.” It features several notable collaborations along with a cover of Dolly Parton’s “Jolene.”