Beyoncé’s knack for dominating the music scene in multiple genres is nothing new. Months after the 2017 release of her flavorful Lemonade, she made history as the first artist to garner Grammy nominations in the rock, rap, R&B and pop fields in the same year. The only genre not to recognize her, despite the category-appropriate track “Daddy Lessons”? Country music.
Beyoncé submitted the twangy song to the Grammys, and based on critical reception alone, it should have earned bids for best country song and/or best country solo performance. (Recording Academy members are directed to vote only in their areas of expertise.) But it was not a surprise that the Houston-born singer was rejected from the category, a decision that mirrored her awful experience at the Country Music Association Awards, where her stirring performance of the song with the Dixie Chicks resulted in a firestorm, calls by some salty fans for a boycott and the megastar’s presence that night being omitted from the CMA website.
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Now that Queen Bey has released one of the most talked-about albums in recent memory, breaking Spotify’s record for most streams in a single day, how will Cowboy Carter fare at the Grammys given that it blends blues, folk and zydeco elements? Will the Recording Academy’s country committee say it’s not country enough? Will the album be pushed to pop? Could this be the project that finally lands Beyoncé a win for album of the year?
Next Gen Country
Some will argue that Cowboy Carter isn’t fully country, so why would it compete for best country album? But I’d argue that Beyoncé shouldn’t have to release a solely country-sounding album if that’s not what she wants to do, nor should her album be disqualified in the country category. Awards shows might need to categorize albums, but artists must feel free and unrestricted to do great work. But because it is deeply rooted in country music and that’s the best genre fit for the project, that’s where it should compete — even if traditionalists feel differently.
And because Cowboy Carter is also a multi-genre affair, songs could be submitted to fields other than country, including in the American roots, folk, rock, pop, R&B and rap fields. Just like she did with Lemonade.
Dolly for the Assist
Covers of classic country songs have done well at the Grammys. Darius Rucker won best country solo performance in 2014 with his version of “Wagon Wheel,” written by Bob Dylan and Old Crow Medicine Show’s Ketch Secor; John Hartford released “Gentle on My Mind” in 1967 and Glen Campbell covered it the same year, and it won the singers two Grammys apiece in 1968; and the a cappella group Pentatonix won in 2017 alongside Dolly Parton for their duet version of “Jolene,” originally released in 1973.
Outside of “Texas Hold ’Em,” Beyoncé’s Parton-approved take on “Jolene” would be hard for the committee to deny, and it could be worth submitting for best country solo performance instead of the album’s lead single, though that anthem made history on the country charts. The question is: Which song is more likely to cut through? Methinks “Jolene.” To split the difference, “Texas Hold ’Em” could compete for song and record of the year.
Collaborative Country
If there’s a Grammy category the country committee is more lenient with, it’s best country duo/group performance. Justin Bieber and Dan + Shay’s “10,000 Hours” won the honor in 2021, and singers outside the genre have earned noms for their duets with country acts, including Pink, Kelly Clarkson and Bebe Rexha.
Beyoncé has multiple collaborations on her album, and “II Most Wanted” with Miley Cyrus stands out. The song has garnered the most streams for Cowboy Carter thus far and could be a shoo-in for best country (or pop) duo/group performance. Collaborations with Parton, Willie Nelson and Post Malone and Beyoncé’s cover of The Beatles’ “Blackbird,” which features rising Black female country singers (Brittney Spencer, Tanner Adell, Reyna Roberts and Tiera Kennedy) could also be put forth. But a nom for Linda Martell, who appears on “Spaghetti,” would be groundbreaking. The first Black woman to perform solo at the Grand Ole Opry, she released only one album, in 1970, and left music after experiencing racism onstage.
Cowboy Carter is also a family affair. Blue Ivy Carter won the best music video Grammy at age 9 for her appearance on her mom’s anthem “Brown Skin Girl,” and her baby sister — Rumi Carter, 6, who appears on “Protector” — could become the youngest artist to earn the prize. The album could also help Jay-Z win more Grammys; he co-wrote several of the album’s songs. He and Beyoncé are tied for most noms ever: 88. He has 24 wins, she has a record 32.
This story first appeared in the April 10 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. Click here to subscribe.
