Will Beyoncé’s upcoming country-heavy album overcome the genre’s “racialized past”? This week, many mainstream media outlets started asking that question.
Superstar Beyoncé Knowles-Carter performed her new singles “Texas Hold ‘Em” and “Renaissance Act II” on Sunday night after the Super Bowl, previewing her upcoming album “Renaissance Act II,” scheduled to debut March 29. 16 Carriage” and surprised the world. Compared to her previous album “Renaissance”, her upcoming “Act II” seems to have a stronger influence of country music.
In the days following the single’s release, some news outlets questioned whether Beyoncé could overcome the “exclusion of black musicians from the genre” to succeed in country music.
“Regardless of what happens or what doesn’t happen, it’s hard to resist bringing a homegrown black woman into the music industry, given that this star is undoubtedly one of the top two or three music moguls in the world. It’s likely to cause a ripple, considering it’s moving to a format known for being “stars,” Variety article read.
Beyoncé released two country-inspired singles after Sunday night’s Super Bowl. (Photo provided by Christopher Polk/Variety)
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Additionally, “If Beyoncé doesn’t play big (or at all) in country, is that a sign of deep-seated racism? Or is country radio doing what country radio has always done: moving slowly and deliberately?” Is this a sign that they’re just doing it?” While waiting for direction from a powerful record company? It’s understandable to be concerned about how these questions play out in a playlist that’s almost entirely white and male. can. ”
The article notes that regardless of how Beyoncé’s songs are received, racism and the “nearly complete lack of success by black women in this format to provide historical context” are “inevitable.” “It will come to the forefront in the future,” he said.
When you talk to new york times, Charles Hughes, director of Rhodes University’s Lynn and Henry Turley Memphis Center, argues that “country radio has systematically excluded artists of color,” and that Beyoncé may be no exception. Stated.
“Perhaps the power of that is to create an expanded space for all the great black women who make country music, and to be more aligned with the people who love country music and the country that country music is supposed to represent,” Hughes said. I will make it happen,” he said.
The media claimed that the success of Beyoncé’s next album could be determined based on the genre’s racial tensions. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)
time magazine She went on to claim that “Beyoncé was always country,” because “the truth is country music was never white.”
The Time article said, “It’s time for country music’s system of institutional oppression to be removed and for those who have continued country music’s legacy of heart and soul to have a seat at the table.”
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Additionally, it is unclear whether Knowles-Carter will address country music’s racialized past or shine a light on its inherent lies, but Archangel Gabriel blew the horn to usher in Judgment Day. Like, she has the ability to demand consideration from those who have continued to protect Country.” Music from the rightful heir. And that’s probably all she needs to do in the second act. ”
Freelance writer and music critic Kyle “Trigger” Coroneos criticized the media response, calling it “racism” in country music and ignoring the contributions of black artists to the genre. He pointed out that there was.
“The sad irony of these accusations is that they are actually a means of erasing black heritage in country music in real time. There is no history of country music that does not address the black influence of country music. I can’t find a single book or documentary about African banjo, Rufus ‘Tee Tot’ Payne taught Hank Williams to play guitar, Charlie Pride had 30 number one singles, and became a CMA male vocalist. He became the first male country performer to win back-to-back awards of the year,” Coroneos said. he told FOX News Digital.
Beyoncé performed with the Dixie Chicks at the 50th Country Music Awards in 2016. (Image Group LA/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images)
It goes on to say, “By insisting on ‘exclusion’, we ironically ignore all of these contributions, which are often aimed at social media influence and actually undermine country music.” “This is often carried out by activist journalists and academics who have a perverse motive of portraying people as more racist than they are,” he added. ”
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Much of the controversy was sparked Tuesday after a man’s X post went viral claiming that a country music station in Oklahoma was racist after denying Beyoncé’s request to play her new single. The station later issued a statement saying the song was being played due to a misunderstanding regarding the original request.
“If someone asked us to play the Rolling Stones on our rural stations, we initially refused to play them the same way,” KYKC general manager Roger Harris said in a statement. ” he said. “As a matter of fact, we have Beyoncé on two other stations and we love her… She’s an icon. We just didn’t know about that song… and then when we found out about it… , we tried to get the song…and we did. We’ve already played the song three times on YKC, our national station. Also, 105.5, KXFC-FM, KADA-FM 0n 99.3 also plays her songs.”
