Shots fired?
Lately a lot of the conversation in country music has centered on Beyoncé and her upcoming country-inspired album, COWBOY CARTER.
The pop star announced the album, which will be released this Friday, is the result of an experience where she didn’t feel welcome in country music (which many think was referring to her performance at the CMA Awards in 2016, when Alan Jackson reportedly walked out). But she also clarified that it’s not a “country album,” but rather a “Beyoncé album.”
“I feel honored to be the first Black woman with the number one single on the Hot Country Songs chart. That would not have happened without the outpouring of support from each and every one of you. My hope is that years from now, the mention of an artist’s race, as it relates to releasing genres of music, will be irrelevant.
This album has been over five years in the making. It was born out of an experience that I had years ago where I did not feel welcomed…and it was very clear that I wasn’t. But, 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…
This ain’t a Country album. This is a ‘Beyoncé’ album. This is act ii COWBOY CARTER, and I am proud to share it with y’all!”
Since announcing in the album, many in country music have expressed their excitement and welcomed the pop star to the genre. Even the legendary Dolly Parton released a statement congratulating Beyoncé on her #1 hit with the album’s first single, “Texas Hold ‘Em.”
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And of course Maren Morris was more than willing to support Beyoncé calling out the country music industry.
But one country star recently took a not-so-subtle jab at the pop star – and in her home state of Texas, no less.
HARDY recently performed at the Houston Rodeo, and in a post on Instagram recapping the show, decided to take a shot at Beyoncé with the caption:
“Didn’t see Beyoncé at the rodeo”
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Of course HARDY knows a thing or two about switching genres himself, leaning more into his rock sound on recent releases. And the music that he used for the video definitely isn’t country…
As a Houston, Texas native herself, Beyoncé has played the famed rodeo multiple times over the years, and there was plenty of speculation this year that she would make a surprise appearance amidst her country music renaissance (pun intended).
And ironically, HARDY has a new album dropping the same day as Beyoncé: His Hixtape Vol. 3, Difftape, a tribute to the late, great Joe Diffie, will also be released this Friday, though the timing appears to be coincidental: HARDY announced the release date for his new project way back in November, and it’s dropping on the 4th anniversary of Diffie’s death.
