Beyoncé, one of the biggest music superstars in the world, was unexpectedly snubbed at this year’s Country Music Awards (CMAs). Despite her successful debut in country music with her hit song “Texas Hold ‘Em” and her acclaimed album “Cowboy Carter,” Beyoncé did not receive a single nomination from the CMAs. This omission has sparked discussions and controversies, especially considering the album’s impact on the country music landscape and its widespread cultural significance.
A surprising snub for a rising country star
When the CMA nominees were announced on Monday, many were shocked to see that Beyoncé’s name was not on the list. “Texas Hold ‘Em” was one of the biggest country hits of the year, dominating the charts for weeks. Beyoncé’s fans and music critics had speculated that she might become the first black woman to be nominated for Album of the Year at the CMAs. However, that did not happen. Instead, the nominations were led by country music star Morgan Wallen, who received the most nominations this year.
Morgan Wallen’s resurgence in the country music scene has not been without controversy. Just three years ago, he was suspended by his record label after being caught using a racial slur. Since then, Wallen has publicly apologized several times and has been welcomed back by his record label. His double album “One Thing at a Time” topped the U.S. charts for 16 weeks last year and this year he earned four CMA nominations for his collaboration with Post Malone on “I Had Some Help.”
The irony of inclusivity in country music
Beyoncé’s exclusion from the CMAs seems especially shocking given the inclusion of other non-traditional country artists like Post Malone, who is primarily known for his work in pop and hip-hop. Shaboozie, who features on Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter,” received two nominations this year for Best New Artist and Single of the Year for his hit “A Bar Song (Tipsy)”. The song replaced Beyoncé’s “Texas Hold ‘Em” at the top of the U.S. country chart earlier this year. Shaboozie’s success made him the first black male artist to top both the country chart and the Billboard Hot 100 simultaneously, a historic milestone.
This year also marks the first time that two black artists have consecutively held the number one spot on the U.S. country chart, thanks to “Texas Hold ‘Em” and “A Bar Song (Tipsy)”. Many fans and critics believe that Beyoncé’s unprecedented efforts to bring a more diverse sound and perspective to country music should be recognized.
The “Cowboy Carter” album and its impact
Earlier this year, Beyoncé indicated that the idea for “Cowboy Carter” came from her experience at a previous CMA ceremony. In 2016, she attended the CMAs and performed her song “Daddy Lessons” with The Chicks (formerly the Dixie Chicks). The performance received criticism online, much of it laced with racism. The Chicks’ lead singer Natalie Maines later called the response “disgusting.”
In an Instagram post, Beyoncé explained that “Cowboy Carter” was born out of this experience of feeling unwelcome in the country music world. She said it inspired her to “dive deeper into the history of country music” and explore the often overlooked contributions of black artists to the genre. “Cowboy Carter” is the second part of a trilogy of albums by Beyoncé that examine the roots of American musical traditions and highlight the influence of black artists across genres.
Industry recognition vs. fan love
While Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter” didn’t receive any nominations from the CMAs, it certainly hasn’t gone overlooked by fans or the industry at large. The album topped the country music charts, and the single “Texas Hold ‘Em” spent 10 weeks at number one. Billboard classified “Cowboy Carter” as a country album for chart purposes, further solidifying its place in the genre.
The album also received 12 nominations at the 2024 People’s Choice Country Awards, more than any other artist this year. This contradiction between fan acclaim and industry recognition raises questions about the CMA’s decision-making process.
The CMA has not offered an explanation for excluding Beyoncé’s album from the nominations. According to the CMA’s official judging criteria, the Album of the Year award is “judged on all aspects including, but not limited to, the artist’s performance, musical background, engineering, packaging, design, art, layout and liner notes.” The awards are determined by eligible voting CMA members who are country music industry professionals.
The broader implications of Beyoncé being overlooked
The broader implications of Beyoncé being overlooked by the CMA extend beyond just one awards ceremony. This brings to the fore the ongoing struggle for diversity and representation in the country music genre, which has historically been dominated by white artists. Beyoncé’s efforts to bring a new and more inclusive approach to country music have clearly resonated with a larger audience. Yet, hers is overlooked
