The 67th Annual Grammy Awards was nothing short of captivating, sparking controversy over several winning nominees. At the center of one of the biggest debates was Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, whose newly released album “Cowboy Carter” won both Best Country Album and Album of the Year.
This led to an uproar across social media, with many upset that “Cowboy Carter” won AOTY over Billie Eilish’s “Hit Me Hard and Soft.” Some critics argued they had never heard of “Cowboy Carter,” claiming it was less commercially successful and therefore undeserving of the award.
However, “Cowboy Carter” offers a rich, genre-bending experience that challenges traditional notions of country music. Beyoncé also highlights the often-overlooked contributions of Black artists to the genre, weaving in blues-inspired melodies and gospel undertones. More than just an album, “Cowboy Carter” serves as both a tribute and a reclamation of the space Black artists helped create but were largely erased from.
Breaking Barriers
Beyoncé has never been one to follow the rules. From redefining pop and R&B to challenging the music industry’s biases, her career has been a masterclass in evolution. But with “Cowboy Carter,” she’s doing more than just experimenting—she’s rewriting the narrative of country music itself.
However, even though Beyoncé is a Texas native who grew up surrounded by country music, she found herself excluded from the very genre that shaped her upbringing. Her 2016 performance of “Daddy Lessons” alongside The Chicks at the Country Music Association (CMA) Awards was met with backlash, with some country purists arguing she didn’t belong in the genre. The performance was even removed from the CMA’s social media pages, fueling discussions about exclusion in country music.
Rather than being discouraged, this moment became a turning point. As she explained in her Instagram post announcing “Cowboy Carter” above, the negative experience led her to dive deeper into the genre’s history, uncovering the contributions of Black artists who shaped country music.
With “Cowboy Carter,” she not only asserts her place in the genre but also forces the industry to confront its own history. As she poignantly states in her song “Ameriican Requiem.”
“They used to say I spoke too country.
Cowboy Carter – Beyoncé
Then the rejection came, said I wasn’t country ‘nough”
Why Cowboy Carter Deserved AOTY
Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter” deserved Album of the Year not just for its genre-defying sound on tracks like “Ya Ya” and “Spaghetti,” but for its depth into the impact of Black culture on country music. Tracks like “Ameriican Requiem” speak to her personal experiences with rejection from the country community, using her journey to echo the broader exclusion of Black artists in the genre.
Meanwhile, “Blackbiird” reimagines Paul McCartney’s iconic song, originally written about the struggles of the Little Rock Nine during the Civil Rights Movement. By reinterpreting this anthem of resilience, while also incorporating four other Black female country artists, Beyoncé not only honors the song’s historical context but amplifies the voices of those long overlooked in country music.
In weaving together these powerful historical references and personal reflections, “Cowboy Carter” doesn’t just deserve the title—it shifts the narrative that Black people can’t make country music.
If you haven’t listened to “Cowboy Carter,” I hope this piece inspires you to give it a listen with an open heart. Understanding the history, impact and powerful messages behind the album can truly enhance it lyrically, sonically and vocally. Beyoncé’s vision and dedication to this album are worth experiencing!