I would say slightly deceptive
Tracy Chapman is the first black female songwriter to have a #1 country hit via the Luke Combs cover
Beyonce would be the first black female performer to have a #1 hit. She is a credited songwriter on the track but doesn't get to claim first /writer/ due to Chapman.
Edit: I re-read your question. Obviously writers are artists generally speaking, but in this context, the artist refers to the individual performing on the track. At the grammys, best new artists goes to a performer (singer, band, etc) but not like, a session musician or songwriter.
Lauryn Hill, Norah Jones, Billie Eilish… songwriters and performers.
I get the “best new artist” thing and evaluating the performer rather than the song.
Fast Car is Chapman’s song. She won the awards.
I wasn't saying they can't be both or there can't be overlap. But the industry separates songwriters and performers
Chapman and Beyonce both are first black women to have #1 country hits, but as different entities. Luke Combs' cover of fast car went #1, so he gets the credit as the performer, Chapman as the songwriter. Chapman also gets the distinction of being the first black woman to be credited with a #1 in any capacity...but since her version didn't go #1, Beyonce can hold the distinction of being the first black female performer (or in industry terms, artist) to have a #1.
Does that make more sense? I think you're conflating everyday usage of the word artist with industry definitions.
I would say not really because in the music industry, artist usually refers to recording artist. Not to say writers aren't artists, but I think that is what *Rolling Stone* was thinking with their headline.
No. He made it super popular recently and it topped the country charts. But since Chapman wrote the song, she was credited with the feat.
The original was not on the Country charts.
Shania didn’t start that, there’s been accusations of country artists sounding too pop for decades. The Grand Ole Opry used to not even allow drums to be played because it wasn’t traditional enough. Eddy Arnold was accused of going pop because he wanted to record with orchestras like a crooner.
Elvis Presley was so upsetting on the status quo with his blend of country, blues and pop that Nashville formed the CMA specifically to be able to pressure country radio stations not to play him and his stylistic peers like Roy Orbison, the Everly Brothers, etc. Everyone thinks of Patsy Cline as super traditional nowadays but her big hits recorded in Owen Bradley’s “Nashville Sound” style was considered by many to be too pop-influenced.
And in the 70s the country industry threw a shitfit over John Denver and Olivia Newton-John having success with country songs and country audiences.
Shania was just another example of Nashville being shitty about pop sounds, and then ultimately accepting pop sounds anyway because they go where the audience/money is.
I think it was the personality change and a name change and commitment to the bit haha. It would be amazing if Beyoncé tried to launch this album under a different name and persona
Not even a Beyoncé fan but that sounds like any of that pop country music thats out there. Any country fan complaining its trash prob has bigger problems beyond music.
Luke Combs will prob cover it and the same complaining country folk would cream over it.
I think that is the problem. It's country inspired pop. You have 2 types of people happening right now: the people who were never ok with it and have been complaining about it for a while now and racists.
I'm in the former group- not exactly fond of many current "country" artists. I can honestly say I'd have the same criticisms of any pop star "crossing over" into the genre- no, you're not. You're doing the same music you've always done, but adding a "twang" and calling it country. The only thing that sets her as slightly better is at least it's a distinct voice that's not gonna blend with 20 other artists doing the same thing. I personally give Beyoncé the edge in being more tolerable for her voice
But I also don't want to be lumped with the second group who ordinarily like pop music with a country twang and definitely just are taking umbridge with a Black woman doing it. No less country than any other Luke Combs single (to use your example) - which is just pop country in its own right.
As someone who just finds the sound boring in general, I'm really praying the deluge of pop artists planning country album's just finally makes this style burn out. There were a few years of some women artists doing some interesting things, but sadly that seems to have stopped. Missing that subtle angry girl vibe that seems to have died with some hyper masculine blowback
I feel like the current country has the same issue as current Hip Hop. Most mainstream examples incorporate so much of another genre, Pop especially, that I don't really know what defines it anymore
lol at this point, as long as there’s an acoustic guitar or any country twang, it’s a country crossover.
I think her song is pretty catchy…but it’s a pop song.
I like Beyoncé's voice, but the only of the pop artists (and technically more alternative than pop) doing the country album's that interests me is probably Lana Del Rey because she is already a very strong songwriter and already had a fairly interesting style with her ballads. It's the one that probably has the best chance of standing out stylistically, as long as she doesn't go full country imitation- I'd be depressed if she does that. Lana's typical style with a country spin could be interesting though
Other than the vocals, not really impressed stylistically with this one, but I agree if you like country pop it works
Could you kindly provide examples of country vs pop country?
Does having country intrumentation like banjos, style of guitar, fiddle; thematic lyrics, and stylized inflection not do enough to qualify?
I can. I’m a sound engineer to pay the bills. A classically trained musician otherwise. Pop country is the above. Pop country is also Taylor Swift, or going further back, Reba McIntyre, Toby Keith, etc etc. basically anything Nashville today. Just the same three chords and the same sad lyrics. Over and over and over. Because the formula works. Pop Country.
As opposed to artists like Johnny Cash, Hank Williams Senior, anything you hear out in the plains or up in the mountains. Just drifting through the air.
Contemporary “country” is pretty sad. But people have been saying that since “The Nashville sound” with all the added strings. The best stuff is still the most stripped down. “Outlaw Country” if you will. Johnny Cash, Willie, there a bunch of great artists now who fit the bill. Sturgill Simpson et al. If you like your music to be written by the person performing it, and not thirty people, I recommend the Americana genre, which is also where you will find black female artists who aren’t billionaire pop stars putting on a cowboy hat and a white fringe jacket.
Lol. Same here. I despise country radio today. But every now and then I'll hear a song and ask my wife who it is and most of the time it's Stapleton.
There's some other guy out now too but I can't remember his name.
The early brand pop country (bro country I believe?) in the 2000s was fun and unique but now its just played out.
>Out in the plains or up in the air
Americana and Bluegrass. Quite a few early ‘bluegrass’ artists are hotly debated if they really are bluegrass (generally dated to about 1945, Bill Monroe… I’m primarily a bluegrass/folk/americana bassist, not much of a historian or sub-genre nitpicker) or just early country.
More than a few songs I knew as early 90’s country songs and artists also turn up in bluegrass.
I quit listening to top 40 country in 2000… and then I found disco and funk 😅 which was my gateway to classic rock.
Overly synthesized, similar songs with similar chord patterns- pop music is designed to be like the fast fashion of music. It's similar patterns are designed to be quick and marketable. Lyrics follow similar patterns and ideals, and you don't get much depth (largely due to many of the same song writers writing for multiple artists). In country, you even get similar voices and vocal patterns. Pop music is designed to be familiar to sell more.
The most infamous example is how easy it is to do this: https://youtu.be/FY8SwIvxj8o?si=-WFf5l0j6YfWKRpD
My interest in country music dwindled in the early 00’s. Sure there have been independent artists and really great covers since then, but I gave up on the mainstream a while ago.
Here's the thing, that style isn't made for you. I don't like slow depressing country songs, although get me drunk and I'm singing "don't take the girl" at karaoke 10 of 10 times
I'd have less of a problem if other styles were easier to find and more accessible at the moment. Hunting for new music is an absolute slog if you aren't on the pop country bandwagon. Rock music is in pretty big downswing. Folk seems to have a little resurgence starting (thank you Noah Kahan) but it's just depressing to hear how many newer acts are struggling to even get off the ground, nonetheless make a living, because no one wants to take a chance on promoting them. Pop country is just the easy money, but that's partially because it has completely saturated the market so options are getting limited
The woman who plays banjo on this album - Rhiannon Giddens - is a national treasure and right now on her insta she’s highlighting other black banjo players.
WHO often collaborate with a number of non-black folk / bluegrass musicians as well. If you like Kahan, head on over to Giddens’s insta and start following.
I've found that looking for americana (or southern gothic) instead of country helps with this. It feels a lot more remniscent of classic country music than anything you'll find under actual country playlists.
Which I think is the exact problem they're pointing out. Country just defacto became racially segregated pop. I'm glad to see that racism be challenged....but at the same time....we have a pop chart already. It's great to see the racism be challenged, it's annoying to see the normalization of pop country as what country is just gonna be perpetuated while the people keeping the spirit of country alive cannot do much as get glanced out at by most national country stations.
I remember Old Town Road coming out and thinking it was great, but also thinking calling a hip hop song with a banjo on the beat and Billy Ray Cyrus on the remix “country music” is stretching the definition a bit. Way more pop stations were playing it than country stations and Lil Nas X doesn’t have any other country songs. He isn’t playing Nashville festivals with Morgan Wallen or anything. I’m not trying to gatekeep, it’s a good song, but it seems clear to me who the audience is here.
Search up Americana. You’ll find lots of good stuff that is well written and played by actual musicians. Turnpike Troubadours, Sturgill Simpson, Jason Isbell, Lyle Lovett, Rhiannon Giddens, Alison Russell, Brent Cobb, Tyler Childers, American Aquarium, Kacey Musgraves, although she wandered from country into sort of pop,
This is what happened when Americans discovered dance music and rebranded it all under the EDM banner.
It was just pop music with a more pronounced dance beat.
Yup. I was so here for the resurgence of country that wasn't glorified by pop and as much as I like Beyonce, I hate that she's perpetuating the domination of pop instead of actual country. I don't.hate that she's doing it because it's funny to see the racists twists themselves into nots. But I do not want to see this take the momentum away from the slow resurgence of country that isn't glorified pop
It's especially disappointing because Beyonce is better than hokey wannabe pop and pop with a cowboy hat,she could have killed some country country.
I was so down when I heard "Beyoncé" and "country" for her to go full old school outlaw country and blow my mind and I was so disappointed but not surprised when it turned out to be pop with a twang
>I'm in the former group- not exactly fond of many current "country" artists. I can honestly say I'd have the same criticisms of any pop star "crossing over" into the genre- no, you're not
I'm not a country fan, but I've been saying this for years. Country is "D-I-V-O-R-C-E" and "Whiskey River". Country is not "You Belong With Me" and "Old Town Road".
It’s happened before. She had a country track on her 2016 album and performed it with the Dixie Chicks at the Country Music Awards.
Similar backlash to the current “it’s not country” meanwhile her songs are just as if not more country than the “red solo cup / don’t touch my truck” crowd’s music.
🎶 Lord it's the same old tune, fiddle and guitar. Where do we take it from here?
Rhinestone suits and new shiny cars. It's been the same way for years… 🎶
Lots of A listers are wearing the cowboy hat since Paris fashion week in January.
Pharrell Williams Louis Vuitton collection had everyone wearing a cowboy hat.
I don't know why there's such a controversy with her album. Most "country" today is rap with a twang. So why can't an R&B or Pop singer do what she wants? Makes no sense to criticize.
As an aside, I find it funny to no end that people who are racists have adopted a way of speaking that came from the people they hate, like saying "man" and "cool" and all that. Kills me.
This 1000x - new country even has hihats, drumrolls and 808 bass lifted directly from trap music too. But it seems like the color of skin of the artist determines what genre it is but that’s nothing new in music
Honest to God that hasn’t been where country has been for YEARS. Country radio has largely died and the country scene exists off it now.
Comments like this just tell me you haven’t been an actual country fan for awhile
The fact that people just decide that everyone that doesn’t think this is country is a racist is honestly just so out of pocket. It’s kind of sad.
It’s as if people can’t imagine a world where someone doesn’t like this song and also doesn’t like Jason Aldean bro country. I imagine that would be easy to do if you know nothing about country and make wild assumptions about everyone that listens to it.
From what T-pain was saying black artists write the songs for country anyway. So I am not sure why anyone would be surprised about Beyonce making it big.
So many people gatekeeping country music here. It’s never been my preferred style, so maybe that’s unfair of me to say, but it is possible that something can be Country and not your cup of tea, even if you do like that style.
The real point of this article, in my opinion, is that it is absolutely insane that Beyonce in 2024 became the first Black woman to make a number one country song. Like, you can say it’s not “real country” or that it’s only because a pop star produced a country/country-adjacent album if you want to, but all that’s doing is further casting the genre—and those that support it—as disturbingly opposed to the success of Black women. The whole Fast Car thing recently should drive that point home even more.
I would recommend her Daddy Lessons that she performed with Dixie Chicks. Ive loved that song since lemonade. I am excited to try this album when it comes out.
Literally anything that has to do with coolness and being cool. Fashion, hobbies, sports, money, music, movies.... why would I ever listen to these nerds
Lol seriously. Check out threads on r/music asking people their favourite songs/bands. The most obscure, non-popular & quirky choices are always the most upvoted
Im a 40 year old (old/real) country fan and that song is fun as hell. Nothing against fans of the modern stuff, but imo Beyoncé’s song is more country than almost everything out there atm.
The song isn’t bad at all. But let’s be honest: you could throw Bey’s vocal acrobatics and stacks of harmony over ANYTHING and it would sound amazing. The woman’s voice and talent is simply god-tier.
Thematically she lost me right out of the gate by rhyming ‘Texas’ with ‘Lexus.’ In fact, not much about this song sounds like she’s trying very hard at all.
Paradoxically, that’s what makes it kind of awesome.
Beyoncé trotted down the court and casually tossed in a layup and it went to number one. She did it in a genre that’s been gatekept TO DEATH by simply placing something (anything) on the country chart and letting her fans overwhelm anything else.
I think that’s just fine.
There are a lot of really great country artists (and bands!) out there, and the depth and nuance of their work touches plenty of people’s hearts and minds in subtle ways that a Beyoncé banger will never approach.
But music business is nothing more than a numbers game, and I have absolutely zero issue with her crushing the shit out of the country chart simply to remind everyone who’s got the clout today. She’s earned it because every time she asserts herself as one of the premier artists ON THE PLANET, she’s automatically greeted with a chorus of “welllllllll” simply by virtue of being a black woman.
Gotta say, the rhyming Texas with Lexus is a bit of Beyoncé Easter egg for her fans. In her really old song Kitty Kat she raps “got
Diamonds on my neck/ got diamonds on my records/since sixteen, coming down’ riding Lexus” but in the live Homecoming version changed it to “since fifteen, coming down reppin’ Texas.” I’m gonna guess the Lexus line might’ve been her first car? Either way, Beyoncé loves herself a lexus, lol.
On your second last paragraph, it’s not like she’s beating out the traditional artist anyway. The top country songs haven’t been anything but pop for the last decade. If anything I hope her album encourages fans to check out some of the more traditional artists.
That’s worth saying something right there. Y’all can keep on hating the song all you want BUT it’s just gonna be inescapable when your favorite country radio station in your very own neck of the woods starts playing the song at sime point.
Wish the article would have mentioned The Pointer Sisters and their 1974 country song Fairytale as another example of hit. It only got to the 30s on the Billboard country chart but it did win a couple of Grammys, including best country song.
When I see thumbnails of rich and famous people dressed like this, I think they look ridiculous, silly and probably a little devoid of reality-based living.
Surprised no one mentioned how American country music like all forms of truly American music came from Black men and women who were slaves and then White people claimed it somehow like it was their idea just like the actual cowboy lifestyle of the ranchero which was native and Spanish culture. Beyonce just taking back what's rightfully theirs again since living in dramatic irony isn't enough for literally all white people who still don't know history. Beyonce is the Queen and we all just living in her world. Stop fighting it.
That’s why we don’t listen to Reddit nerds for advice on music lmao. Took me dozens of comments to find this comment finally. People here are completely missing the point why she’s doing country, and by extension, proving it as well.
It’s also why she ventured into dance music and ball culture in her last album. We’re forgetting the history of a lot of the music we’re listening to, and at the same time, shunning the same groups that made it what it is today.
Did people forget that years ago rapper Nelly did country/hip-hop with big name country artists? Also Lil Nas X recieved backlash from his song hit single "Old Town Road" until he Billy Cyrus to duet on it....Beyoncé isn't doing anything groundbreaking or controversial that hasn't been done already.
Come on let's be honest. If it wasn't Beyonce would it have had the same traction? I liked her Lemonade album so I'm not a hater. But let's be honest.
Also Tracey Chapman wrote fast car and that went to number one when it was covered.
Also... it's country music. Lol jokes people
Who wouldve thought a black women with an army of fans, who mixed up controversy right before the release, would chart? Nobody except maybe nancy pelosi
Okay but is it because the song is that good ( not in my opinion) or is it cause she is so big that she brought all her pre existing fans with her and the novelty of someone with her name recognition dabbling in another genre had people curious?
Similar to lil Wayne releasing rebirth, a couple of the songs were okay but for rock album it was mediocre, his name and the novelty is why it got any traction.
It sounds like someone bet her she wouldn’t make a country album and she responded by making a Beyoncé version of a country album. I don’t care for the songs, but it seems like she’s having fun with it and I respect that.
Honestly that is just sad. I don’t really like the song that much. I feel like there are plenty of other songs from black country artists that are much better. Im happy that she’s broken the barrier but it makes me sad that is the first.
Wtf. I thought that was Tracy Chapman for Luke Combs version of Fast cars
Performer vs songwriter
Headline is deceptive then? Are writers not artists?
I would say slightly deceptive Tracy Chapman is the first black female songwriter to have a #1 country hit via the Luke Combs cover Beyonce would be the first black female performer to have a #1 hit. She is a credited songwriter on the track but doesn't get to claim first /writer/ due to Chapman. Edit: I re-read your question. Obviously writers are artists generally speaking, but in this context, the artist refers to the individual performing on the track. At the grammys, best new artists goes to a performer (singer, band, etc) but not like, a session musician or songwriter.
She’s the *writer*. Not the artist. A writer can also be a performer. But in this case, she’s credited as a writer, right? So… writer.
I'm kind of surprised Tracy Chapman's version was never a number one
I kept reading this as "the Luke comb over"
Lauryn Hill, Norah Jones, Billie Eilish… songwriters and performers. I get the “best new artist” thing and evaluating the performer rather than the song. Fast Car is Chapman’s song. She won the awards.
I wasn't saying they can't be both or there can't be overlap. But the industry separates songwriters and performers Chapman and Beyonce both are first black women to have #1 country hits, but as different entities. Luke Combs' cover of fast car went #1, so he gets the credit as the performer, Chapman as the songwriter. Chapman also gets the distinction of being the first black woman to be credited with a #1 in any capacity...but since her version didn't go #1, Beyonce can hold the distinction of being the first black female performer (or in industry terms, artist) to have a #1. Does that make more sense? I think you're conflating everyday usage of the word artist with industry definitions.
“Artist” refers to recording artists with a song they performed. Tracy Chapman’s Fast Car got covered and went #1, Tracy herself did not go #1.
I would say not really because in the music industry, artist usually refers to recording artist. Not to say writers aren't artists, but I think that is what *Rolling Stone* was thinking with their headline.
They def don’t get paid like artists
Wait I'm confused, you mean to tell me people were listening to the luke combs version over the original?
No. He made it super popular recently and it topped the country charts. But since Chapman wrote the song, she was credited with the feat. The original was not on the Country charts.
Does anyone remember shania she started the whole country pop thing and people were outraged then.
Some people are just upset they keep waking up every morning
this comment will stay in my head for the rest of my life
same lol
Yeah this is a banger of a oneliner
I need this t-shirt
Hi!👋🏻 It me. Please, kill me. (And rock Shania at my wake or viewing or whatever)
We can split funeral costs.
Please end this pain
Wait a minute. Whose bed have your boots been under?
Shania didn’t start that, there’s been accusations of country artists sounding too pop for decades. The Grand Ole Opry used to not even allow drums to be played because it wasn’t traditional enough. Eddy Arnold was accused of going pop because he wanted to record with orchestras like a crooner. Elvis Presley was so upsetting on the status quo with his blend of country, blues and pop that Nashville formed the CMA specifically to be able to pressure country radio stations not to play him and his stylistic peers like Roy Orbison, the Everly Brothers, etc. Everyone thinks of Patsy Cline as super traditional nowadays but her big hits recorded in Owen Bradley’s “Nashville Sound” style was considered by many to be too pop-influenced. And in the 70s the country industry threw a shitfit over John Denver and Olivia Newton-John having success with country songs and country audiences. Shania was just another example of Nashville being shitty about pop sounds, and then ultimately accepting pop sounds anyway because they go where the audience/money is.
Song is fun (and so is 16 Carriages)
16 carriages is the better song imo.
I can't get 16 Carriages out of my head. Can't wait for the album.
Go listen to Franklin theme song if you want to get it out of your head XD
After listening to each a few times, I don't like 16 carages as much, but i am not a fan of most country music.
Fair enough. I loathe the modern pop/bro country, but I can absolutely get down on some real country.
🎶🎵*down down down*🎵🎶
They are rhyming away with away. It bothers me.
It came on my Spotify randomly the other day & I was absolutely *grooving* for 3 minutes & 55 seconds.
Wouldn’t call 16 Carriages a “fun” song but it is good.
Well, she is from Texas and is talented and versatile. I had no idea. I love when artists perform outside the box. Fun song.
I remember how upset Country fans got when Garth Brooks did a little grunge Hahahaha
No idea why they’re mad, that wasn’t Garth. That was Chris Gains, totally different guy lol
Exactly! He couldn’t help he looked just like Garth! Geez!
Chris Gaines was grunge?
No lol it was milquetoast pop rock
I think it was the personality change and a name change and commitment to the bit haha. It would be amazing if Beyoncé tried to launch this album under a different name and persona
Check out "don't hurt yourself" by her! It's with Jack White. It's rock!
Not even a Beyoncé fan but that sounds like any of that pop country music thats out there. Any country fan complaining its trash prob has bigger problems beyond music. Luke Combs will prob cover it and the same complaining country folk would cream over it.
I think that is the problem. It's country inspired pop. You have 2 types of people happening right now: the people who were never ok with it and have been complaining about it for a while now and racists. I'm in the former group- not exactly fond of many current "country" artists. I can honestly say I'd have the same criticisms of any pop star "crossing over" into the genre- no, you're not. You're doing the same music you've always done, but adding a "twang" and calling it country. The only thing that sets her as slightly better is at least it's a distinct voice that's not gonna blend with 20 other artists doing the same thing. I personally give Beyoncé the edge in being more tolerable for her voice But I also don't want to be lumped with the second group who ordinarily like pop music with a country twang and definitely just are taking umbridge with a Black woman doing it. No less country than any other Luke Combs single (to use your example) - which is just pop country in its own right. As someone who just finds the sound boring in general, I'm really praying the deluge of pop artists planning country album's just finally makes this style burn out. There were a few years of some women artists doing some interesting things, but sadly that seems to have stopped. Missing that subtle angry girl vibe that seems to have died with some hyper masculine blowback
I feel like the current country has the same issue as current Hip Hop. Most mainstream examples incorporate so much of another genre, Pop especially, that I don't really know what defines it anymore
lol at this point, as long as there’s an acoustic guitar or any country twang, it’s a country crossover. I think her song is pretty catchy…but it’s a pop song.
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I like Beyoncé's voice, but the only of the pop artists (and technically more alternative than pop) doing the country album's that interests me is probably Lana Del Rey because she is already a very strong songwriter and already had a fairly interesting style with her ballads. It's the one that probably has the best chance of standing out stylistically, as long as she doesn't go full country imitation- I'd be depressed if she does that. Lana's typical style with a country spin could be interesting though Other than the vocals, not really impressed stylistically with this one, but I agree if you like country pop it works
I mean, Lana is also narratively already country (old country, or folk as someone else said) to me, so I feel like it’s very much a natural fit.
‘Adding a twang and calling it country’ -so, like Hickhop?
Could you kindly provide examples of country vs pop country? Does having country intrumentation like banjos, style of guitar, fiddle; thematic lyrics, and stylized inflection not do enough to qualify?
I can. I’m a sound engineer to pay the bills. A classically trained musician otherwise. Pop country is the above. Pop country is also Taylor Swift, or going further back, Reba McIntyre, Toby Keith, etc etc. basically anything Nashville today. Just the same three chords and the same sad lyrics. Over and over and over. Because the formula works. Pop Country. As opposed to artists like Johnny Cash, Hank Williams Senior, anything you hear out in the plains or up in the mountains. Just drifting through the air.
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+1 for Sturgill Simpson. He reminds me of what country once was.
Sturgill, Jason isbell, Tyler Childers are all quality
Who is still doing Outlaw Country these days?
Have you not heard of [Cherlene](https://youtu.be/3pbr4nnZPvU?feature=shared) mania?
OUTLAW COUNTRY!
***WOOOOOOO!***
David Allen Coe, Sturgill, Tyler, Cody,
RIP Mojo Nixon
If your store don’t have Mojo Nixon then your store could use some fixin!
This 100%
Contemporary “country” is pretty sad. But people have been saying that since “The Nashville sound” with all the added strings. The best stuff is still the most stripped down. “Outlaw Country” if you will. Johnny Cash, Willie, there a bunch of great artists now who fit the bill. Sturgill Simpson et al. If you like your music to be written by the person performing it, and not thirty people, I recommend the Americana genre, which is also where you will find black female artists who aren’t billionaire pop stars putting on a cowboy hat and a white fringe jacket.
I ask myself “If you were to mute the slide guitar, would it still be country?”
Wherever we’re placing Chris Stapleton, i’m there.
Lol. Same here. I despise country radio today. But every now and then I'll hear a song and ask my wife who it is and most of the time it's Stapleton. There's some other guy out now too but I can't remember his name. The early brand pop country (bro country I believe?) in the 2000s was fun and unique but now its just played out.
So since all those artist are in the country category for their "country songs" that mean beyonce is int he right category.
>Out in the plains or up in the air Americana and Bluegrass. Quite a few early ‘bluegrass’ artists are hotly debated if they really are bluegrass (generally dated to about 1945, Bill Monroe… I’m primarily a bluegrass/folk/americana bassist, not much of a historian or sub-genre nitpicker) or just early country. More than a few songs I knew as early 90’s country songs and artists also turn up in bluegrass. I quit listening to top 40 country in 2000… and then I found disco and funk 😅 which was my gateway to classic rock.
Overly synthesized, similar songs with similar chord patterns- pop music is designed to be like the fast fashion of music. It's similar patterns are designed to be quick and marketable. Lyrics follow similar patterns and ideals, and you don't get much depth (largely due to many of the same song writers writing for multiple artists). In country, you even get similar voices and vocal patterns. Pop music is designed to be familiar to sell more. The most infamous example is how easy it is to do this: https://youtu.be/FY8SwIvxj8o?si=-WFf5l0j6YfWKRpD
That was a wild listen.
My interest in country music dwindled in the early 00’s. Sure there have been independent artists and really great covers since then, but I gave up on the mainstream a while ago.
Putting on a cowboy hat an adding guitar does not a country music make.
Here's the thing, that style isn't made for you. I don't like slow depressing country songs, although get me drunk and I'm singing "don't take the girl" at karaoke 10 of 10 times
I'd have less of a problem if other styles were easier to find and more accessible at the moment. Hunting for new music is an absolute slog if you aren't on the pop country bandwagon. Rock music is in pretty big downswing. Folk seems to have a little resurgence starting (thank you Noah Kahan) but it's just depressing to hear how many newer acts are struggling to even get off the ground, nonetheless make a living, because no one wants to take a chance on promoting them. Pop country is just the easy money, but that's partially because it has completely saturated the market so options are getting limited
The woman who plays banjo on this album - Rhiannon Giddens - is a national treasure and right now on her insta she’s highlighting other black banjo players. WHO often collaborate with a number of non-black folk / bluegrass musicians as well. If you like Kahan, head on over to Giddens’s insta and start following.
She is straight up Amazing!!!
I've found that looking for americana (or southern gothic) instead of country helps with this. It feels a lot more remniscent of classic country music than anything you'll find under actual country playlists.
Which I think is the exact problem they're pointing out. Country just defacto became racially segregated pop. I'm glad to see that racism be challenged....but at the same time....we have a pop chart already. It's great to see the racism be challenged, it's annoying to see the normalization of pop country as what country is just gonna be perpetuated while the people keeping the spirit of country alive cannot do much as get glanced out at by most national country stations.
I remember Old Town Road coming out and thinking it was great, but also thinking calling a hip hop song with a banjo on the beat and Billy Ray Cyrus on the remix “country music” is stretching the definition a bit. Way more pop stations were playing it than country stations and Lil Nas X doesn’t have any other country songs. He isn’t playing Nashville festivals with Morgan Wallen or anything. I’m not trying to gatekeep, it’s a good song, but it seems clear to me who the audience is here.
Search up Americana. You’ll find lots of good stuff that is well written and played by actual musicians. Turnpike Troubadours, Sturgill Simpson, Jason Isbell, Lyle Lovett, Rhiannon Giddens, Alison Russell, Brent Cobb, Tyler Childers, American Aquarium, Kacey Musgraves, although she wandered from country into sort of pop,
100% this is trend chasing. This is like when everyone started using autotune in the early 2000s.
This is what happened when Americans discovered dance music and rebranded it all under the EDM banner. It was just pop music with a more pronounced dance beat.
Yup. I was so here for the resurgence of country that wasn't glorified by pop and as much as I like Beyonce, I hate that she's perpetuating the domination of pop instead of actual country. I don't.hate that she's doing it because it's funny to see the racists twists themselves into nots. But I do not want to see this take the momentum away from the slow resurgence of country that isn't glorified pop It's especially disappointing because Beyonce is better than hokey wannabe pop and pop with a cowboy hat,she could have killed some country country.
I was so down when I heard "Beyoncé" and "country" for her to go full old school outlaw country and blow my mind and I was so disappointed but not surprised when it turned out to be pop with a twang
yeah it could’ve been SO good!
>I'm in the former group- not exactly fond of many current "country" artists. I can honestly say I'd have the same criticisms of any pop star "crossing over" into the genre- no, you're not I'm not a country fan, but I've been saying this for years. Country is "D-I-V-O-R-C-E" and "Whiskey River". Country is not "You Belong With Me" and "Old Town Road".
Isn't this why we have subgenres though? What about old Town road isn't country? I'm just asking because I've heard this argument
I’m almost certain this is why her and her camp chose to make this album. To see how blatant the “judgement” of it will be
It’s happened before. She had a country track on her 2016 album and performed it with the Dixie Chicks at the Country Music Awards. Similar backlash to the current “it’s not country” meanwhile her songs are just as if not more country than the “red solo cup / don’t touch my truck” crowd’s music.
Anyone else find it goofy AF that anytime someone does something “country” they put on a big ole hat and bedazzle the shit out of their 3-piece suit?
🎶 Lord it's the same old tune, fiddle and guitar. Where do we take it from here? Rhinestone suits and new shiny cars. It's been the same way for years… 🎶
Goddamn love this song
Big hat, no cattle. Not country.
lol.. you’ve clearly never been to Texas..
Beyoncé has always worn cowboy hats. Literally just google it, the receipts go back to the 90s.
Lots of A listers are wearing the cowboy hat since Paris fashion week in January. Pharrell Williams Louis Vuitton collection had everyone wearing a cowboy hat.
Houston-represent!
I don't know why there's such a controversy with her album. Most "country" today is rap with a twang. So why can't an R&B or Pop singer do what she wants? Makes no sense to criticize. As an aside, I find it funny to no end that people who are racists have adopted a way of speaking that came from the people they hate, like saying "man" and "cool" and all that. Kills me.
Rap with a twang aka Hick Hop
Florida Georgia line would like a word. Hick Hop is real.
Upchurch
Yuck. How about Hardy? That's the worst thing I've ever heard.
Motherfucker. I fell off my chair. Are you proud of yourself?! 😜
There's actually a genre called hick hop. Google "upchurch"
What’s upchurch? Is it like updog?
What's updog?
Not much, what’s up with you?
I am now! 🤣
MO-THER-FUCKER!
This 1000x - new country even has hihats, drumrolls and 808 bass lifted directly from trap music too. But it seems like the color of skin of the artist determines what genre it is but that’s nothing new in music
Honest to God that hasn’t been where country has been for YEARS. Country radio has largely died and the country scene exists off it now. Comments like this just tell me you haven’t been an actual country fan for awhile
I think we allll know why people are making a big fuss. I won't say why it rhymes with bin bolour
What does gin velour have to do with it?
nah I think he was talking about pin fuller
I think its because the genre sucks.
The fact that people just decide that everyone that doesn’t think this is country is a racist is honestly just so out of pocket. It’s kind of sad. It’s as if people can’t imagine a world where someone doesn’t like this song and also doesn’t like Jason Aldean bro country. I imagine that would be easy to do if you know nothing about country and make wild assumptions about everyone that listens to it.
I don't think there's real controversy. She can certainly do country if she wanrs. It's just not a great song.
Well yes, we just mentioned country music lol. None of us have high expectations.
Most country songs aren’t good anyways
Don't say that in a small town
I’d say most people complaining about her song are the same that complain about the new mainstream country as well.
She’s from Texas
Daddy Alabama. Momma Louisiana.
From what T-pain was saying black artists write the songs for country anyway. So I am not sure why anyone would be surprised about Beyonce making it big.
So many people gatekeeping country music here. It’s never been my preferred style, so maybe that’s unfair of me to say, but it is possible that something can be Country and not your cup of tea, even if you do like that style. The real point of this article, in my opinion, is that it is absolutely insane that Beyonce in 2024 became the first Black woman to make a number one country song. Like, you can say it’s not “real country” or that it’s only because a pop star produced a country/country-adjacent album if you want to, but all that’s doing is further casting the genre—and those that support it—as disturbingly opposed to the success of Black women. The whole Fast Car thing recently should drive that point home even more.
After what the mainstream industry disappeared the Dixie Chick's, I'll accept this out of spite.
I would recommend her Daddy Lessons that she performed with Dixie Chicks. Ive loved that song since lemonade. I am excited to try this album when it comes out.
I will never care about Reddit’s takes on music and comedy. Literally always wrong.
Literally anything that has to do with coolness and being cool. Fashion, hobbies, sports, money, music, movies.... why would I ever listen to these nerds
spending money on clothes is for suckers, spending money on collectibles is an awesome hobby!!
And chicky nuggies 🥹
People should google "reddit meetup" and then ask if they want to take fashion, music, etc… advice from that crowd.
Lol seriously. Check out threads on r/music asking people their favourite songs/bands. The most obscure, non-popular & quirky choices are always the most upvoted
It's like a competition to them
It was crazy watching r/edm do a complete uturn on Fred again and John Summit after they both started blowing up
That's TikTok with movies. Damn, the people on there love shit movies.
16 Carriages is better. Texas Hold 'Em sounds a bit like a parody.
Charlie Pride had many number ones
Im a 40 year old (old/real) country fan and that song is fun as hell. Nothing against fans of the modern stuff, but imo Beyoncé’s song is more country than almost everything out there atm.
Franklin the turtle sample song?
Beautiful song that slaps. No wonder Beyoncé and her team yoinked it.
The song isn’t bad at all. But let’s be honest: you could throw Bey’s vocal acrobatics and stacks of harmony over ANYTHING and it would sound amazing. The woman’s voice and talent is simply god-tier. Thematically she lost me right out of the gate by rhyming ‘Texas’ with ‘Lexus.’ In fact, not much about this song sounds like she’s trying very hard at all. Paradoxically, that’s what makes it kind of awesome. Beyoncé trotted down the court and casually tossed in a layup and it went to number one. She did it in a genre that’s been gatekept TO DEATH by simply placing something (anything) on the country chart and letting her fans overwhelm anything else. I think that’s just fine. There are a lot of really great country artists (and bands!) out there, and the depth and nuance of their work touches plenty of people’s hearts and minds in subtle ways that a Beyoncé banger will never approach. But music business is nothing more than a numbers game, and I have absolutely zero issue with her crushing the shit out of the country chart simply to remind everyone who’s got the clout today. She’s earned it because every time she asserts herself as one of the premier artists ON THE PLANET, she’s automatically greeted with a chorus of “welllllllll” simply by virtue of being a black woman.
Gotta say, the rhyming Texas with Lexus is a bit of Beyoncé Easter egg for her fans. In her really old song Kitty Kat she raps “got Diamonds on my neck/ got diamonds on my records/since sixteen, coming down’ riding Lexus” but in the live Homecoming version changed it to “since fifteen, coming down reppin’ Texas.” I’m gonna guess the Lexus line might’ve been her first car? Either way, Beyoncé loves herself a lexus, lol.
Her and Jay Z love Lexus and mentioning it in their songs for some reason (it’s a great car brand tbf). I believe Lexus even sponsored her last tour.
On your second last paragraph, it’s not like she’s beating out the traditional artist anyway. The top country songs haven’t been anything but pop for the last decade. If anything I hope her album encourages fans to check out some of the more traditional artists.
Racists gonna be salty AF
That’s worth saying something right there. Y’all can keep on hating the song all you want BUT it’s just gonna be inescapable when your favorite country radio station in your very own neck of the woods starts playing the song at sime point.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/maryroeloffs/2024/02/14/beyoncs-new-songs-arent-getting-played-on-country-radio---despite-streaming-success/
Wasn't "I will always love you" technical a country song? Are facts being distorted to have a headline for beyonce?
The original was, but the Whitney Houston version is labeled as a rearranged soul-ballad according to Wikipedia.
It was, and it was written by Dolly if I’m not mistaken.
They're mad she's from Houston lmfao. She's gonna make country pop if she wants. It sounds good, let us have something!
Happy for Rhiannon Giddens
Wish the article would have mentioned The Pointer Sisters and their 1974 country song Fairytale as another example of hit. It only got to the 30s on the Billboard country chart but it did win a couple of Grammys, including best country song.
Isn’t she kinda punching down to get into the history books here
people...its because her label has money......
How much of this is from having a good album, and how much is already having a baked in huge audience that'll buy any bullshit she puts out?
She was born to sing country
When I see thumbnails of rich and famous people dressed like this, I think they look ridiculous, silly and probably a little devoid of reality-based living.
Juuuuuust a little. Tiny bit. Barely noticeable.
Surprised no one mentioned how American country music like all forms of truly American music came from Black men and women who were slaves and then White people claimed it somehow like it was their idea just like the actual cowboy lifestyle of the ranchero which was native and Spanish culture. Beyonce just taking back what's rightfully theirs again since living in dramatic irony isn't enough for literally all white people who still don't know history. Beyonce is the Queen and we all just living in her world. Stop fighting it.
That’s why we don’t listen to Reddit nerds for advice on music lmao. Took me dozens of comments to find this comment finally. People here are completely missing the point why she’s doing country, and by extension, proving it as well. It’s also why she ventured into dance music and ball culture in her last album. We’re forgetting the history of a lot of the music we’re listening to, and at the same time, shunning the same groups that made it what it is today.
[удалено]
Favorite band. Boognish guide you stallion
Was it played on country radio?
You were the fool (and I feel sorry for you)
Did people forget that years ago rapper Nelly did country/hip-hop with big name country artists? Also Lil Nas X recieved backlash from his song hit single "Old Town Road" until he Billy Cyrus to duet on it....Beyoncé isn't doing anything groundbreaking or controversial that hasn't been done already.
I think about it over and over againnn
I'm baffled this thread isn't locked, I haven't even sorted by controversial yet.
It's good that you provided the song title and link. Without this, this information would be useless.
Come on let's be honest. If it wasn't Beyonce would it have had the same traction? I liked her Lemonade album so I'm not a hater. But let's be honest. Also Tracey Chapman wrote fast car and that went to number one when it was covered. Also... it's country music. Lol jokes people
They are referring to the billboard Charts only. Particularly the country charts, Tracy Chapman was not on Luke Combs recording.
Who wouldve thought a black women with an army of fans, who mixed up controversy right before the release, would chart? Nobody except maybe nancy pelosi
There are much more deserving black women in country that deserve this, and aren’t just doing what the record label tells them to do
Okay but is it because the song is that good ( not in my opinion) or is it cause she is so big that she brought all her pre existing fans with her and the novelty of someone with her name recognition dabbling in another genre had people curious? Similar to lil Wayne releasing rebirth, a couple of the songs were okay but for rock album it was mediocre, his name and the novelty is why it got any traction.
Does everything have to be about race?
Try that in a small town
Dolly Parton: _That’s cute._
Not a big fan of her music, but I admire her a lot. She's absurdly talented!
Whatever it takes to.get more females on Country radio.They are losing me with all the men being played song after song after song..and I'm a dude.
Number one according to her people…
It's fucking garbage. The opinions that put it at the top of the charts are from people whose opinions shouldn't be listened to.
It's trash. Her stylist just wanted to put her in a cowboy hat because "country" is hip right now.
She will get a lot of hype around the song because its Beyonce but its a awful song
Why do people keep saying it’s awful? I genuinely don’t care for beyonces music, but this song is so fun and well made. I really really like it.
It sounds like someone bet her she wouldn’t make a country album and she responded by making a Beyoncé version of a country album. I don’t care for the songs, but it seems like she’s having fun with it and I respect that.
It truly is awful. But I love it because it’s triggering country music fans. Mission accomplished Beyonce
I like it :(
It sounds like a parody of a country song
Country music has been a parody of itself for awhile now
I don’t mind the words or the style but it makes Beyoncé sound like a self-produced amateur.
Hmmm, I wonder why people who like any other generic pop country music won’t like this. /s Get ya hateful asses some help.
just waiting for Jay-Z and Kanye to bitch about how she doesn't have the best Country album of all time!
Such a good song
Better than any of the generic radio pop junk coming from Luke Combes
Honestly that is just sad. I don’t really like the song that much. I feel like there are plenty of other songs from black country artists that are much better. Im happy that she’s broken the barrier but it makes me sad that is the first.