Beyoncé storms the "Country" Bastion

“I think sometimes genre is a code word to keep us in our place as artists, and I just want to encourage people to do what they’re passionate about and stay persistent.” – Beyoncé at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards.

Country music has long been defined by exclusion. Black artists played a foundational role in its history, yet the industry largely sidelined them. Between 2000-2020, just 29% of country music on the radio came from Black artists—only 0.01% from Black women.

When Beyoncé released #CowboyCarter, she forced the industry to reckon with its history. Beyoncé never claimed to be making a textbook country record; instead, she described it as a “Beyoncé album,” one that draws from country’s past while weaving in pop, rock, R&B, gospel, and even house music.

Her country roots aren’t performative. She’s grown up in Houston, raised on its music and culture. With Cowboy Carter, she’s inviting the genre into a broader conversation — one that acknowledges its Black roots.

It’s the second chapter in a three-act project that began with Renaissance. The tracklist tells the story of this evolution:

Texas Hold ‘Em features a banjo riff from Rhiannon Giddens, 16 CARRIAGES leans into Southern storytelling, while AMERIICAN REQUIEM confronts the pushback Beyoncé has faced in country music directly. The features are just as intentional—Willie Nelson and Dolly Parton stand alongside Post Malone and Miley Cyrus, bridging eras and styles.

Predictably, country radio pushed back. Yet, Texas Hold ‘Em soared to No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart, making Beyoncé the first Black woman to reach that milestone. Some critics claim she’s dabbling in country aesthetics rather than making a true country album. Others argue that Black country artists without her star power still face the same struggles.

Then came the Grammys. After years of nominations and losses, Beyoncé finally won Album of the Year—for a country album. The moment was historic, but it was also an indictment of how long it took for an artist like Beyoncé to be recognized in this space.

Beyoncé has made country music answer for its past. Now, the question is: will it listen?