Beyoncé’s album “Cowboy Carter” has not received any nominations at the CMAs, the ceremony honoring the best of country music in the United States.
“That she was snubbed is hardly surprising,” says The New York Times, given the lack of airplay her recent songs have received on country radio.
But Mathew Knowles, the star’s father, has a very different opinion.
She could have become the first black woman nominated for best album at the Country Music Awards. But Beyoncé’s name is nowhere to be found among the contenders for the country music awards, which will be presented Nov. 20 in Nashville. Even before the release of her critically acclaimed album “Cowboy Carter,” the star had established herself as the first black singer to have a song top the country charts with “Texas Hold ‘Em.” A catchy tune that also appeared on former President Barack Obama’s summer playlist.
The bad experience of 2016
“The fact that she was snubbed is not really surprising”estimates the New York Times which highlights the little space given by country radios to his album. “Those who want to hear his music and his message have listened to him. When it comes to the Country Music Association, the volume will never be loud enough to restore hearing to those who turn a deaf ear.”Rolling Stones magazine is annoyed, quoted by AFP. The father of the 43-year-old singer did not seem too surprised by this omission either. Speaking to TMZ, he recalled that the previous collaboration between his daughter and the CMAs had gone badly.
In 2016, Beyoncé was the victim of racism after performing her song “Daddy Lessons” with the group Dixie Chicks live at the ceremony. “There are more white people in America and unfortunately they don’t vote based on ability and achievement, it’s still sometimes a white and black thing”notes Mathew Knowles today. While he denies accusing CMA voters of racism, he does say that his daughter’s absence from the nominations “speaks for itself.” He also regrets that the organization never apologized after the events of eight years ago.
Quid des Grammy Awards ?
This episode largely contributed to the birth of “Cowboy Carter”, the second stage of his “Renaissance” triptych. “The criticism that came at me when I first got into (country music) forced me to push myself beyond my own limits.”Beyoncé wrote on Instagram. This album released at the end of March “is the result of the challenges I set myself and the time I took to twist and mix genres for this work.”
Credited with phenomenal success, the album also rekindled debates about the place of African-Americans in the history of country music, from which they had been largely ousted, the genre being rather associated with white and conservative musicians.
“Thank you Beyoncé for opening a door for us and starting the conversation, and for giving us one of the most innovative country albums of all time.”wrote African-American singer Shaboozey, who collaborated with Beyoncé on her album, on X on Monday. He is nominated in the categories of new artist and single of the year for “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” which had replaced “Texas Hold ‘Em” at No. 1 on the charts. The singers of The War and Treaty are the only other black artists nominated this year, in the category of “Best Duo.”
-
Read also
Subversive or Cynical? Beyoncé’s ‘Cowboy Carter’ Cover Sparks Debate
Queen B’s team now has its eyes fixed on the Grammy nominations, scheduled for November 8. While she holds the record for the most awards received, the one for best album has so far always eluded her. A paradox that, once again, leaves her fans more than perplexed.