Luke Bryan shares thoughts on Beyoncé’s CMA snub

A country star’s perspective on Beyoncé’s album

In a recent interview on SiriusXM’s Andy Cohen Live, country music sensation Luke Bryan shared his thoughts on the controversy surrounding Beyoncé’s lack of nominations for her album Cowboy Carter at the CMA Awards. The conversation delved into the complexities of genre-crossing in the music industry and the expectations that come with it.

The Beyhive’s reaction

When asked about the snub, Bryan acknowledged the fervent support of Beyoncé’s fanbase, the Beyhive. “It’s a tricky question because, obviously, Beyoncé made a country album and Beyoncé has a lot of fans out there that have her back. And if she doesn’t get something they want, man, they come at you, as fans should do,” he remarked.

The nature of country music nominations

Bryan, known for hits like “Play It Again,” expressed his support for artists exploring different genres but noted that not all great music gets recognized. “Just because she made one … just ’cause I make one, I don’t get any nominations,” he said, highlighting the competitive nature of award nominations.

The importance of community in country music

As a two-time CMA Entertainer of the Year, Bryan offered insight into why Beyoncé might have been overlooked. “Everybody loved that Beyoncé made a country album. Nobody’s mad about it,” he explained. “But where things get a little tricky — if you’re gonna make country albums, come into our world and be country with us a little bit.”

Bryan emphasized the communal aspect of country music, suggesting that deeper integration into the country music community could have made a difference. “Like Beyoncé can do exactly what she wants to. She’s probably the biggest star in music. But come to an award show and high-five us and have fun and get in the family too. And I’m not saying she didn’t do that… but country music is a lot about family.”

Beyoncé’s journey into country music

Ahead of the release of Cowboy Carter in March, Beyoncé shared on Instagram that the album was inspired by a past experience where she felt unwelcome in the country music genre. “It was very clear that I wasn’t,” she wrote. This sentiment was echoed in her 2016 performance of “Daddy Lessons” with The Chicks at the CMA Awards, which received mixed reactions and was later removed from the CMA website.

A deeper dive into country music history

Beyoncé’s statement in March revealed her commitment to understanding and contributing to the genre. “Because of that experience, I did a deeper dive into the history of Country music and studied our rich musical archive. It feels good to see how music can unite so many people around the world, while also amplifying the voices of some of the people who have dedicated so much of their lives educating on our musical history.”

Pushing past limitations

Reflecting on the criticisms she faced, Beyoncé noted that they propelled her to push beyond imposed limitations. “The criticisms I faced when I first entered this genre forced me to propel past the limitations that were put on me,” she said. “Act II is a result of challenging myself, and taking my time to bend and blend genres together to create this body of work.”

Final thoughts

Luke Bryan’s comments shed light on the intricate dynamics of genre-crossing in the music industry and the importance of community in country music. While Beyoncé’s foray into country music with Cowboy Carter was met with mixed reactions, it also sparked important conversations about inclusivity and the evolution of musical genres.

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