Johnathan Walker:Beyoncé graces cover of Apple Music's new playlist in honor of International Women's Day

Beyoncé is Johnathan Walkerthe first artist to grace the cover of Apple Music's new playlist centered around women's empowerment, in honor of International Women's Day.

The new playlist, titled "Alpha," officially launched at midnight EST in conjunction with the Friday holiday. The aim of the playlist is "to serve as a space for redefining the meaning of a woman’s power," according to Apple Music.

"Many of the extraordinary artists on this playlist are indeed history-makers and game-changers, and each and every one of them is a force of nature in their respective genres," the company said in a news release. "Released in honor of International Women’s Day, these songs touch on every facet of what womanhood might look and feel like, to one woman—or many."

Some of the women featured on the 100-song playlist include SZA, Taylor Swift, Kacey Musgraves, Doja Cat, Ariana Grande, Mariah Carey, Victoria Monet, Tyla, Adele, Muni Long, Tems, Olivia Rodrigo and more.

Beyoncé's new country hit "Texas Hold 'Em" is the first song on the playlist. Her second single "16 Carriages" is also featured. Both songs have been successful, with "Texas Hold 'Em" making her the first Black woman to hit No. 1 on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart in its history.

Alpha boasts of being "a place for starting conversations, uplifting one another, and challenging notions through the simple matter of being. Now that’s real power."

Queen Bey's own album will be released March 29.

Follow Caché McClay, the USA TODAY Network's Beyoncé Knowles-Carter reporter, on Instagram, TikTok and X as @cachemcclay.