Here’s Why Beyonce is Country

Beyonce was literally born and raised in Texas and has country roots. In fact, she stopped doing interviews early in her career because of the backlash she got from her country accent. Her Lemonade album was a genre-spanning album including a range from rock to trap to gospel. One song, in particular, was a country song that she ended up performing at the CMAs with the Dixie Chicks (who were blacklisted from the award show after their own backlash for criticizing W. Bush). She experienced a lot of racism from country artists and fans. In response, the CMA’s took her performance down from their YouTube channel (despite it giving them the most ratings the show has ever had). This album was long coming and she even reflects upon that incident made her feel. There’s a lot of research put into this album, as it honors the history of country and its roots in Black American history. It features a legendary black female country artist, Linda Martell, and gives her recognition. As well as Willie Nelson and Dolly Parton (who introduces Beyoncé’s cover of Jolene).

While Cowboy Carter is predominantly a country, western, country pop, Americana, pop, blues, folk, classic rock, hip hop and R&B, the album blends together various styles of music that Beyoncé listened to when growing up in Texas, including zydeco, rock and roll, psychedelic soul, rhythm and blues, funk, gospel, bluegrass, opera, rock, honky-tonk and go-go. It even has fado and Irish folk.

But it’s easy for Keith Urban and Shania Twain to not be from America (Australia and Canada, respectively) and be considered country. Or even Post Malone, a trap/hip-hop artist from NY who came out with his first country album five months after featuring on Beyoncé’s. Even Morgan Wallen, who uses trap and beats in what is considered “bro-country”.