An in-depth review regarding the controversy and success of Beyonce’s latest singles.
World famous pop star Beyonce released her new hit single “TEXAS HOLD ‘EM” during the Super Bowl and followed it up with another country song entitled “16 CARRIAGES.” As of right now, “TEXAS HOLD ‘EM” sits at the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Top 100. The success of this single made history with Beyonce becoming the first Black woman to get No. 1 on the Hot 100 with a country song. As remarkable and groundbreaking as this achievement is, such success must coexist with controversy.
The controversy comes from KYKC, a small Oklahoma country radio station that refused to play the artist’s latest single.
“We do not play Beyonce on KYLC as we are a country music station,” the radio station expressed.
The decision to exclude the song received backlash from thousands of fans and users of various social media platforms such as X and TikTok. Fans took the initiative in bombarding the radio station, demanding them to play Beyonce’s new country songs.
Following the actions from fans online, KYKC’s reasoning behind the lack of recognition for Beyonce’s recent discography was revealed.
“We haven’t played her on our country station because she’s not a country artist. Well, now I guess she wants to be, and we’re all for it,” KYKC station manager Roger Harris stated.
On the airwaves, the two country singles are being played on an average nine-time rotation, dispersed through different times of the day. With smaller stations such as KYKC playing the new songs, not only will fans be pleased, but the songs will gain more mainstream popularity among smaller radio stations.
Despite the controversy among the radio stations, Beyonce’s experimental projects are setting records and generating anticipation from fans all over the world.
Being born and raised in Houston, Beyonce wanted the release of the singles to reflect the city’s cowboy and country-style heritage that influenced her upbringing. The artist had included intricate hints of country music in past projects like “B’Day” and “Formation,” however, “TEXAS HOLD ‘EM” and “16 CARRIAGES” displayed the most country-style music from Beyonce ever.
The attempt to reclaim Black roots within country music is a part of Beyonce’s upcoming album called “Act II.” The anticipation of this album holds high expectations as do many of Beyonce’s releases. The new album will serve as a themed continuation to her 2022 album “RENAISSANCE.”
“TEXAS HOLD ‘EM” and “16 CARRIAGES” serve as inspiration and encouragement for other Black artists to embrace and incorporate country music aspects within their discography.
“Maybe that power will create an expanded space for all these great Black women making country music, to make it more in line with the people who love country music and the country it’s supposed to represent.” KYKC station manager Roger Harris added.
The worldwide success received and possessed by Beyonce makes her a perfect candidate and idol of inspiration for Black artists to experiment and publish country music with the potential to break barriers and set records.