Dolly Parton recently scored wins in uncharted rock territory and has her sights set on Broadway. Now, the country-and-western legend is coming for the rap charts.
[RELATED: How Dolly Parton reunited The Beatles’ Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr for ‘Rockstar’]
Videos by American Songwriter
Dolly Partners with Pitbull On New Song “Powerful Women”
Queen Dolly debuted this week at No. 4 on Billboard’s Rap Digital Song Sales chart with her new Pitbull-fronted single “Powerful Women.”
On Feb. 15, Pitbull (born Armando Christian Pérez) dropped his brand-new EP TRACKHOUSE: Daytona 500 Edition. The short set features seven new tracks, including “Powerful Women.”
“Thank you, @DollyParton… this goes out to all the powerful women out there,” Mr. 305 wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “Daleee, Dolly!”
Dolly’s First Time on the Rap Charts
“Powerful Women” brings Parton another milestone in a career that’s full of them. The song marks Parton’s first-ever appearance on any of Billboard’s rap-only charts, according to Forbes.
The beat of “Powerful Women” is a blend of hip-hop and dance music. The hook, though? That’s all Dolly. The song is structured around the chorus to Parton’s signature 1980 hit “9 to 5.”
Dolly Parton Shouts Out Some Powerful Women in Her Own Life
Parton dedicates her only full verse to a few “powerful women” in her own circle. She sings about her late mother, Avie Lee Owens, who “had 12 kids at 35/ Working 24/7, 365.”
The “Jolene” singer also gives kudos to Jane Fonda and Lilly Tomlin, her co-stars in the 1980 film 9 to 5, for which the original song was written.
“Here’s to Jane and Lilly/ And the girls that fight/ For equal pay/ Equal rights,” Parton sings.
Fans React with Glee to Dolly Parton and Pitbull Collab
“Powerful Women” sent shockwaves throughout social media. Fans are used to Parton breaking the mold, but a rap number was apparently on no one’s bingo card.
“Drop what you are doing and listen to the PitBull/Dolly Parton collaboration,” one user wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. “Right now. Go.”
“that dolly parton pitbull song is single handedly saving my life,” another user wrote.
One Dolly fan joked, “I’ll never forgive Dolly Parton for getting me to listen to a Pitbull song.”
Featured image by Jason Kempin/Getty Images for American Greetings
More Latest Music News & Stories
-
UNSPECIFIED – JANUARY 01: Photo of Gram PARSONS; In front of A&M Records Photo Studio in suit specially made for him by "Nudie, the rodeo tailor" (Photo by Jim McCrary/Redferns) -
LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 23: Singer Taylor Swift performs onstage at the 2014 American Music Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 23, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Lester Cohen/WireImage) -
NASHVILLE, TN – NOVEMBER 18: Singer/Songwriter Ricky Skaggs, Singer/Songwriter Emmylou Harris and Singer/Songwriter Brian Ahern along with Ricky's band Kentucky Thunder perform at CMA Theater on November 18, 2013 in Nashville, Tennessee. Skaggs was recently announced as the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum's 2013 Artist-in-Residence. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images) -
CHRISTMAS IN ROCKEFELLER CENTER — 2023 — Pictured: Kelly Clarkson — (Photo by: Scott Gries/NBC via Getty Images) -
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MAY 15: Rodney Atkins performs onstage during ACM Lifting Lives Country on the Green: Riley Green & Friends at Topgolf Las Vegas on May 15, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) -
Photo by Larry McCormack/Disney via Getty Images -
GLENDALE, AZ – FEBRUARY 03: Musician Tom Petty (L) and guitarist Mike Campbell perform at the Bridgestone halftime show during Super Bowl XLII between the New York Giants and the New England Patriots on February 3, 2008 at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
