Country music continues to evolve, but there’s always a group of standout artists who embody the heart of the genre. These aren’t just the biggest sellers; they’re the ones who live and breathe country music.
With Beyoncé making her foray into country music, her dedicated fans followed closely behind. Her hit “Texas Hold ’em” performed well, but that success didn’t translate to recognition at the Country Music Awards (CMA).
Despite having one of the year’s biggest country hits, Beyoncé didn’t receive a single nomination. This left many of her fans upset, arguing that she deserved recognition and eagerly hoping she would become the first Black woman to be nominated for Album of the Year.
Her album Cowboy Carter was partly inspired by her treatment at the 2016 CMA, where she performed “Daddy Lessons” with The Chicks, receiving a mixed response from the country music community.
Even without award nods, Beyoncé’s impact on country music is undeniable. Her song stayed at the top of the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart for 10 consecutive weeks, making it the second-longest-running hit of the year.
She also made history as the first Black woman to reach the top of the country music charts as a solo artist. Still, none of these achievements resulted in CMA nominations.
Many of her peers and media outlets suggested that Beyoncé was being deliberately overlooked, referencing her 2016 performance backlash. Others claimed that despite having a country album, she wasn’t seen as truly belonging to the genre.
Reflecting on her experience, Beyoncé said, “[The album was] born out of an experience that I had years ago where I did not feel welcomed… and it was very clear that I wasn’t.”
The situation has stirred up conversation among fans and critics alike, with some believing she was intentionally snubbed. While it’s in the past now, it will be interesting to see how things unfold in 2025.