Beyoncé’s country music moment was poised to shine at the 2024 Country Music Awards, with her chart-topping hit Texas Hold ‘Em and groundbreaking album Cowboy Carter.
Yet, in a jaw-dropping snub, the Queen of Pop received zero nominations. As the Beyhive buzzes with outrage, the controversy has sparked reactions from fans and celebs alike — and even Beyoncé’s dad has stepped into the ring, fueling the fiery debate.
What sparked this shocking snub, and why is everyone talking about it?
Beyoncé’s country journey
Beyoncé is no stranger to making waves, but her recent snub at the 2024 Country Music Awards (CMA) has taken things to a whole new level. After releasing Texas Hold ‘Em and her country-inspired album Cowboy Carter in February 2024, fans (and critics) were ready for her to get some well-deserved recognition.
The single, with its fun vibe and nod to country’s roots, was a massive hit, topping the Billboard Hot 100 and making history for Beyoncé as a Black woman in country music. But despite her groundbreaking success, the CMA didn’t nominate her for a single award.
And the Beyhive? They were not having it. Beyoncé’s dedicated fanbase quickly flooded social media to voice their frustration, with many saying things like, ”She was totally robbed!”
Many took to social media, calling the decision ”spiteful” and even ”racist.” One fan wrote “At this point, it’s gotta be spiteful. How do you not nominate her for Artist of the Year after sitting on the Country charts for an entire week? Also, Beyoncé isn’t country, but Post Malone is?”
From Billboard to backlash
Since the release of Texas Hold ‘Em and the album Cowboy Carter, emotions have been running high. Fans and critics alike have had a lot to say about Beyoncé’s foray into country music.
Actor and singer John Schneider, known for The Dukes of Hazzard, had some strong words when discussing Beyoncé’s move into country music.
In a no-holds-barred interview with One America News Network, he compared her venturing into country to “a dog peeing on a tree” to mark its territory. “They’ve got to make their mark, just like a dog in a dog walk park. You know, every dog has to mark every tree, right?” he said, clearly not impressed with her country foray.
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Meanwhile, in Oklahoma, a local country radio station made headlines for refusing to play Texas Hold ‘Em, with one listener even being told, “We do not play Beyoncé on KYKC as we are a country music station.”
Despite the backlash, critics actually loved Texas Hold ‘Em. Music reviews praised the song for its authenticity, playful tone, and Beyoncé’s stunning vocal performance. Rolling Stone even ranked it #192 on its list of the 200 Greatest Country Songs of All Time. So why wasn’t the CMA recognizing Beyoncé’s achievement?
Kelly Clarkson’s take on the snub
It’s not like this was Beyoncé’s first run-in with the country music world. Many remember her 2016 CMA performance with The Chicks, where they performed “Daddy Lessons” from her Lemonade album, a moment that stirred up quite a bit of controversy and criticism online.
“For them to disrespect her that way was disgusting,” said Natalie Maines of The Chicks about the incident.
Beyoncé has said that Cowboy Carter was inspired by her experience of not feeling “welcomed” in the country scene — something some fans have taken as a nod to her past CMA troubles.
”The whole reason that she even did this (Cowboy Carter) is because they kept shutting her down,” music and culture journalist J’na Jefferson says. ”She tried to apply ‘Daddy Lessons’ to be in the (Grammys’) country music category in 2016, and they shut it down.”
The snub didn’t sit well with country icon Kelly Clarkson either. In a September interview, Clarkson expressed her surprise at Beyoncé’s lack of nominations.
“I kind of find it fascinating because I feel like those songs were everywhere,” Clarkson told NBC10 Boston.
Clarkson also revealed that she was once told her own country music wouldn’t get played unless she left behind other genres. “It just seemed like the door was closed unless I was all-in… I don’t think people like me, or even Beyoncé, are capable of doing that,” she said.
What Whoopi Goldberg had to say
Meanwhile, Cowboy Carter collaborator Shaboozey, who had two nominations at CMA and performed at the gala, praised Beyoncé for her innovative contribution to the country genre.
“That goes without saying. Thank you @Beyonce for opening a door for us, starting a conversation, and giving us one of the most innovative country albums of all time!” he tweeted after the nominations were announced.
Whoopi Goldberg also weighed in, questioning why people were surprised that Beyoncé didn’t get any CMA nominations. “I don’t think she was snubbed, I think they just didn’t … it wasn’t for them,” Goldberg said on The View.
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So, is there a clear answer as to why Beyoncé wasn’t nominated? The debate has been heated, with country stars like Luke Bryan offering their perspective.
“Everybody loved that Beyoncé made a country album. Nobody’s mad about it. But where things get a little tricky and you know — if you’re gonna make country albums, come into our world and be country with us a little bit,” Bryan shared in an interview on Andy Cohen Live. “Beyoncé can do exactly what she wants to. She’s probably the biggest star in music. But come to an award show and high-five us, and have fun and get in the family, too. And I’m not saying she didn’t do that.”
Even Dolly Parton has weighed in with her take on the whole situation.
“I don’t think it was a matter of shutting out, like doing that on purpose. I think it was just more of what the country charts and the country artists were doing, that do that all the time, not just a specialty album,” Parton said after praising ”Cowboy Carter.”
Did race play a role in Beyoncé’s CMA snub?
Perhaps the most pointed remarks came from Beyoncé’s father, Mathew Knowles. He made it clear that he thought race was a factor in the decision.
Speaking with TMZ, Knowles suggested the lack of nominations was a reflection of America’s ongoing racial divide.
“There’s more white people in America, and unfortunately they don’t vote based on ability and achievements. It’s still sometimes a white and black thing,” he said. He was quick to clarify that he wasn’t calling the voters racist but stated that the situation spoke for itself. “In America, there’s no accountability for people not being accepting of other cultures.”
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At the 2024 CMA Awards, Morgan Wallen emerged as the biggest winner, taking home the coveted Entertainer of the Year award. Chris Stapleton also had a successful night, winning Male Vocalist of the Year and Single of the Year for his song ”White Horse”.
Lainey Wilson claimed Female Vocalist of the Year, while Cody Johnson’s Leather won Album of the Year. Other notable wins included Song of the Year for Stapleton’s ”White Horse” and Musical Event of the Year for Ella Langley and Riley Green’s ”You Look Like You Love Me.” Country legend George Strait was honored with the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award.
