Beyoncé, the global music sensation, has always been known for breaking barriers and redefining genres. Her ability to merge different musical styles, from pop and R&B to hip-hop and even country, has earned her a place among the most influential artists of all time. However, despite her success in nearly every genre she touches, Beyoncé has faced significant obstacles in gaining recognition within country music—a space that has historically been resistant to change and diversity. Her recent snub at the 2024 Country Music Awards (CMAs), despite having one of the year’s biggest country hits with Texas Hold ‘Em, is a stark reminder of these challenges.
Beyoncé’s Absence from the CMAs: A Shock to Fans
When the CMA nominees were announced, fans of Beyoncé eagerly anticipated her name, expecting to see Cowboy Carter—her trailblazing country album—among the contenders for Album of the Year. After all, Texas Hold ‘Em dominated the country music charts, spending an impressive 10 weeks at number one. Speculation ran high that Beyoncé could even make history as the first Black woman nominated for this prestigious award.
Instead, to the surprise of many, not a single nomination was given to Beyoncé. The disappointment was palpable, not just among her fans but across the music industry, as many believed that her work deserved recognition for its artistic and cultural significance. This snub has sparked conversations about the barriers Black artists continue to face in country music, a genre traditionally dominated by white men.
The Rise of Morgan Wallen and Controversy
While Beyoncé was notably absent from the nominations, Morgan Wallen, a country artist who faced backlash for using a racial slur three years ago, received the most nominations this year. Wallen’s journey back into the spotlight has been met with mixed reactions. After his incident, Wallen publicly apologized and later reunited with his record label, continuing to find success in the industry. His double album, One Thing At A Time, topped the U.S. charts for 16 weeks and secured him a nomination for Album of the Year at the CMAs.
Wallen’s resurgence, combined with Beyoncé’s absence, has only fueled discussions about the music industry’s standards. For many, it highlights the inconsistency in how artists are judged based on their actions, background, and race. Fans of Beyoncé were particularly disheartened to see an artist who has been vocal about her experiences with racism in the industry excluded from one of its most prestigious events.
Shaboozey’s Breakthrough in Country Music
Despite Beyoncé’s CMA snub, there is still progress being made in the representation of Black artists within country music. Shaboozey, who collaborated with Beyoncé on Cowboy Carter, earned two CMA nominations—Best New Artist and Single of the Year for A Bar Song (Tipsy). His song replaced Beyoncé’s Texas Hold ‘Em at the top of the U.S. country charts, making him the first Black male artist to simultaneously top both the country chart and the Billboard Hot 100.
This achievement, alongside Beyoncé’s dominance on the charts earlier in the year, marked the first time that two Black artists had consecutively claimed the number one spot in country music. Shaboozey’s nominations are a sign that change is happening, even if slowly. His success, along with Beyoncé’s contributions, shows that Black artists are making a significant impact on the genre and that country music is evolving, albeit with some resistance.
The 2016 CMAs: Beyoncé’s First Encounter with Country Music’s Resistance
Beyoncé’s journey into country music has not been without its challenges. Her decision to release Cowboy Carter was influenced by her previous experiences at the CMAs. In 2016, she performed her song Daddy Lessons with The Chicks (then known as the Dixie Chicks) at the awards show. Despite the powerful performance, Beyoncé faced intense criticism and a barrage of racist comments online. Natalie Maines, the lead singer of The Chicks, called the backlash “disgusting” and publicly supported Beyoncé in the face of such negativity.
It was this experience that motivated Beyoncé to take a deeper look into the history of country music. Her album, Cowboy Carter, is the second part of a trilogy that explores the roots of American musical traditions and highlights the unrecognized contributions of Black artists. Through this album, Beyoncé dives into the African American influence on country music, offering a powerful and much-needed reexamination of the genre’s history.
Billboard’s Recognition of Cowboy Carter
Although Beyoncé was snubbed by the CMAs, her work has not gone unnoticed in other circles. Billboard classified Cowboy Carter as a country album, and Texas Hold ‘Em dominated the charts. Moreover, Beyoncé received 12 nominations at the 2024 People’s Choice Country Awards, more than any other artist. This recognition further underscores the importance and popularity of her work within the country genre, even if the CMAs chose not to acknowledge it.
CMA Judging Criteria and Industry Response
While the CMAs have not provided specific reasons for overlooking Cowboy Carter, the organization did release a statement outlining its judging criteria. According to the CMA, the Album of the Year award is judged on multiple factors, including the artist’s performance, musical background, engineering, packaging, design, art, layout, and liner notes. Voting is conducted by CMA members, who are professionals within the country music industry.
The artists who made the cut for Album of the Year include Kacey Musgraves for Deeper Well, Luke Combs for Fathers & Sons, Chris Stapleton for Higher, Cody Johnson for Leather, and Jelly Roll for Whitsitt Chapel. While these are all deserving artists, the exclusion of Beyoncé’s groundbreaking work has left many questioning the inclusivity and openness of the CMAs.
A Hopeful Future for Country Music
Despite this setback, Beyoncé’s influence on country music cannot be denied. Her bold move into the genre, combined with her chart-topping success, has already reshaped the narrative of what country music can be. She has opened doors for future artists, especially Black musicians who may have felt excluded from the genre in the past.
As country music continues to evolve, there is hope that artists like Beyoncé will be celebrated for pushing boundaries and contributing to its rich tapestry. While her absence from the CMAs is disappointing, the conversation it has sparked is vital for the future of the genre. More than ever, fans and artists are calling for a more inclusive and diverse country music industry—one that recognizes the contributions of all its artists, regardless of race or background.
In the end, Beyoncé’s journey in country music is far from over. Her work on Cowboy Carter has already made a significant impact, and her legacy within the genre will only continue to grow. Whether or not the CMAs choose to recognize her contributions, Beyoncé’s influence on the future of country music is undeniable.