Despite Beyoncé’s recent success in the country music world, her groundbreaking album Cowboy Carter did not receive a single nomination for the 2024 Country Music Awards (CMAs), announced Monday.
The unexpected snub has left fans and industry insiders questioning whether the decision reflects a deeper gatekeeping issue within the genre.
Beyoncé, known for her genre-defying artistry, ventured into country music with Cowboy Carter. This album intertwines elements of the genre’s past, present, and future.
According to Billboard, the album sat atop the Country Music Chart for four consecutive weeks, while its lead single, “Texas Hold’ Em,” dominated the Hot Country Songs list for 10 weeks.
This achievement made Beyoncé the first Black woman to hold the No. 1 spot on the Hot Country Songs list for an extended period.
Given these accomplishments, many expected Beyoncé to secure multiple CMA nominations, particularly in categories that celebrate innovation and chart success.
As per Rolling Stone, Cowboy Carter clearly represented Beyoncé’s versatility and impact, and it seemed primed to break the industry’s usual boundaries.
However, the CMAs’ decision not to recognize her work hints at the ongoing struggle for broader inclusion within country music’s historically narrow scope.
Beyoncé’s Experience with Country Music
In a social media post upon the release of Cowboy Carter last spring, Beyoncé told fans that the album wasn’t meant to be strictly classified as country music.
“This ain’t a Country album. This is a ‘Beyoncé’ album,” she wrote, as reported by Pitchfork.
She also reflected on a past experience where she felt unwelcome in the genre, saying, “It was very clear that I wasn’t [welcomed].”
The statement referred to her controversial 2016 performance at the CMAs alongside The Chicks.
During that performance, they played “Daddy Lessons,” a song from Beyoncé’s Lemonade album that blended country and R&B elements, stirring debate among country purists at the time.
Despite her evident influence on the genre and historic chart success, the CMAs did not recognize Beyoncé’s contributions this year, leaving many to speculate that country music’s boundaries are still tightly controlled by those hesitant to embrace diversity.
A Contrast with Other 2024 CMA Nominees
While Beyoncé was left out, the CMAs leaned heavily into their usual roster of stars.
Morgan Wallen, the former Voice contestant turned country music superstar, led the nominations.
Wallen received seven nominations, including Entertainer of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, and multiple nods for his collaboration with Post Malone, “I Had Some Help.”
According to Variety, Wallen has continued to rise in the industry despite past controversies, solidifying his place as one of country music’s biggest names.
Other major nominees included Kacey Musgraves, whose album Deeper Well garnered significant praise, with publications like Consequence naming it one of the best albums of 2024.
Musgraves secured multiple nominations, underscoring her continued relevance in the genre.
Beyoncé collaborator Shaboozey also scored a pair of nominations for New Artist of the Year and Single of the Year for his hit “A Bar Song (Tipsy).”
The inclusion of Shaboozey, who has been vocal about blending various musical influences, offers some hope that country music may slowly be broadening its horizons.
Meanwhile, Chris Stapleton, Cody Johnson, Lainey Wilson, Luke Combs, and Jelly Roll are also heavily favoured in this year’s awards.
Notably, Jelly Roll’s album Whitsett Chapel is nominated despite its release just before the close of last year’s eligibility period.
As reported by The Tennessean, the CMAs clarified that the album was eligible this year because “the majority of its consumption occurred in the [current] eligibility period.”
The Future of Country Music at the CMAs
Several high-profile country albums released this year, including Zach Bryan’s The Great American Bar Scene and Post Malone’s F-1 Trillion, missed the 2024 eligibility period.
However, as per Billboard, these albums are expected to be strong contenders for next year’s awards.
The upcoming CMAs will provide a glimpse into where the genre stands today, with rising artists like Shaboozey alongside traditional stars like Wallen and Musgraves, potentially setting the tone for future inclusivity.
The 2024 Country Music Awards will take place on November 20th and broadcast live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on ABC.
While the event promises to celebrate the best in country music, Beyoncé’s omission raises questions about the future of the genre and whether it is ready to fully embrace artists who push its boundaries.
Ultimately, Beyoncé may not need validation from the CMAs to prove her impact on country music.
For fans and supporters, the lack of nominations only adds to the ongoing conversation about the future of country music — a conversation that Beyoncé has undoubtedly helped shape.
