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Buzz Feed
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
Grammys Change Country Category After Beyoncé Album Win
Back in February, Beyoncé made Grammys history when she became the first Black woman to win the Best Country Album award with Cowboy Carter. Beyoncé admitted she was 'in shock' after beating the other nominees: Post Malone, Kacey Musgraves, Chris Stapleton, and Lainey Wilson. In her acceptance speech, the star reflected on her genre switch as she thanked "all the incredible country artists that accepted this album," and added: "I think sometimes genre is a cold word to keep us in our place as artists and I just want to encourage people to do what they're passionate about and stay persistent." The win was especially notable as Beyoncé had been completely snubbed by the Country Music Awards, despite Cowboy Carter undoubtedly being one of the most successful country albums of the year. For reference, nominations are decided by the Country Music Association, which is made up of a range of industry professionals. And this wasn't Beyoncé's first sour experience when it comes to the CMAs. In 2016, the star was subjected to anti-Black backlash following her performance of 'Daddy Lessons' alongside The Chicks at the even appeared to allude to this moment when she announced Cowboy Carter on Instagram last year, writing: '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." In short, Beyoncé's venture into the country genre certainly wasn't welcomed by everybody, and it seems as though her Grammy win may have rubbed some people up the wrong way, as some pretty interesting changes have just been announced ahead of 2026's show. On Thursday, it was revealed that the Grammys are splitting the country genre into two categories: Best Traditional Country Album, and Best Contemporary Country Album. This is the only change to the music categories being made for the upcoming 68th annual Grammy Awards. Per Billboard, new categories are added to the Grammys from proposals made to the Recording Academy's Awards & Nominations Committee, with each proposal being voted on by the Academy's board of the change, Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. told the publication: 'The community of people that are making country music in all different subgenres came to us with a proposal and said we would like to have more variety in how our music is honored. They said: 'We think we need more space for our music to be celebrated and honored.''He also claimed that this particular proposal had been submitted multiple times in the past, but was only approved by the board this definition for the Traditional Country category reads: 'This category recognizes excellence in albums of traditional country music, both vocal and instrumental. Traditional country includes country recordings that adhere to the more traditional sound structures of the country genre, including rhythm and singing style, lyrical content, as well as traditional country instrumentation such as acoustic guitar, steel guitar, fiddle, banjo, mandolin, piano, electric guitar, and live drums. It also includes sub-genres such as Western, Western Swing, and Outlaw country.''People from that community are making more music, it's more varied, there's different styles of writing and performing,' Mason added. 'I'm hopeful that that community understands that the academy is doing what it always does, which is stay in tune with what's happening in their genre.' However, the timing of this change felt a little loaded to some music lovers, with it not lost on them that it was being implemented immediately after a Black woman won this category for the first time. 'Best Traditional Country Album. How subtle.' one viral tweet reacting to the news simply reads. Somebody else wrote: 'Best Traditional Country Album... they couldn't wait a couple more years so it wasn't so obvious what they're responding too?''They really don't want black people winning country awards so they found a loophole to separate white country artists from black country artists,' another claimed. ''Traditional' lol. No one said shiiii when country went pop for a few years but Beyoncé dominates and all of a sudden we need a separate award to make certain people feel better,' one more added.'A black woman won best country album, NOW we need two categories? Interesting,' somebody else observed. While another tweeted: 'Rules always change when black people start breaking in. It really is disgusting and annoying to go through." In fact, this tweet summed up the discourse pretty well: What do you make of the category shake-up? Let me know in the comments below!
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Megyn Kelly Attempts A Perplexing Beyoncé Takedown — But The Receipts Are Damning
According to Megyn Kelly, Beyoncé hasn't faced much backlash for releasing country music... even though a quick Google search will tell you otherwise. During a segment of 'The Megyn Kelly Show' posted online Thursday, the former Fox News host complained to guest Glenn Greenwald that Beyoncé's current world tour features an onstage clip of Kelly criticizing the marketing behind the singer's 2024 country album, 'Cowboy Carter.' Kelly was not pleased and accused Beyoncé of playing 'the victim,' suggesting that the singer is exaggerating the hostility she's faced for putting out country music. 'The vast majority of consumers and her fans celebrated her to high heaven,' Kelly said, before later claiming '[Beyoncé] had to scour the internet to find anybody who offered any criticism of this move whatsoever.' But googling any combination of the words 'Beyoncé,' 'criticism,' and 'country music' will generate several news articles highlighting the singer's turbulent experience in the country music world, including the hostility she faced after releasing the 2016 song 'Daddy Lessons' on the album 'Lemonade.' When Beyoncé, a Houston native, performed the song alongside The Chicks at the 2016 Country Music Association Awards, their performance was met with swift backlash and a wave of racist attacks from country music fans online. 'Having Beyoncé perform at the CMA Awards is like having Taylor Swift perform at the BET Awards,' one person wrote on X, formerly Twitter, at the time. Beyoncé 'isn't even what country represents,' wrote another, per The New York Times. Natalie Maines, lead singer of The Chicks, told Howard Stern in 2020 that there was a 'weird vibe in the building' the night she performed with Beyoncé, and said that furious 'racist assholes' emailed the CMAs and bombarded the social channels for the CMA Awards in response to the singer's performance. Beyoncé shared on Instagram in March last year that her 'Cowboy Carter' album was born out of 'an experience' in which she 'did not feel welcomed.' While she did not explicitly mention the CMA Awards, it's widely understood that she was alluding to the polarizing 2016 performance. 'The criticisms I faced when I first entered this genre forced me to propel past the limitations that were put on me,' she wrote at the time. Beyoncé has since made history in the country music industry, which has a history of racism and discriminationdespite country's Black roots. Last year, she became the first Black woman to top Billboard's country music chart with the song 'Texas Hold 'Em.' Even so, 'Cowboy Carter' was controversially shut out of last year's CMA Awards nominations. Monica Cwynar, a licensed clinical social worker with Thriveworks who specializes in trauma and coping skills, said that 'the backlash Beyoncé has received for exploring country music can be viewed as a reflection of deep-rooted biases in the music industry and society at large.' 'People like to put individuals in boxes that make them comfortable. When she chose to explore a genre that has been dominated by white performers, some people may feel threatened or angry, as if she doesn't have a right to be in this space,' Cwynar said. 'As an artist from Texas, she has the cultural backdrop to authentically engage with country music.' 'Music should bring us together,' she added. 'Her decision to continue releasing country music despite pushback highlights her commitment to artistic expression and authenticity, serving as an important statement about inclusivity in music.' Cwynar said that Kelly's remarks about Beyoncé dismiss the criticism and discrimination the singer faces, and that the former Fox News host is speaking to her 'own personal bias.' 'This perspective reinforces a narrative that often seeks to silence Black voices and experiences, suggesting that there is a right way for Black artists to navigate their careers,' she said. Cwynar said that Kelly's suggestion that Beyoncé didn't face significant criticism entering the country music world could be seen as a form of gaslighting. 'By suggesting that Beyoncé's experiences with criticism are nonexistent or exaggerated, it attempts to undermine her lived reality and negate her perspective,' she said. 'This diminishes the authenticity of her experiences and can lead to greater feelings of isolation and confusion for those who may relate to her struggles.' 'I have seen this in my practice; it leads to increased feelings of self-doubt, anxiety and depression, as individuals may begin to question their perceptions of reality,' Cwynar said. 'It can also exacerbate feelings of isolation, as victims might feel unsupported in their struggles.' 'Validating one's experiences and seeking community support can be essential to counteracting these effects,' she added. And for anyone who feels that the validity of their experiences with racism and discrimination are being questioned, Cwynar recommends that you find supportive spaces and communities where your feelings can be validated. 'Journaling their experiences can help clarify their thoughts and feelings,' she said. 'Ultimately, these conversations highlight the ongoing need for open dialogue about race, identity, and the intersections within the music industry and beyond,' she added. 'We have come a long way but we have to still continue to move forward with patience and making space for everyone.' Megyn Kelly Loses It Over Halle Berry's Intimate Mother's Day Video Megyn Kelly Melts Down Over 'Leftist' Met Gala In Wild Rant Megyn Kelly Leveled A Vile Trope At Meghan Markle — And It Goes Deeper Than It Seems
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Beyoncé Cowboy Carter at MetLife Stadium setlist: What songs did Bey play?
You can add Beyoncé to the list of country artists at MetLife Stadium this summer. Bey's Cowboy Carter Tour played the first show of five nights at the East Rutherford venue on Thursday, May 22. The global superstar made her name in the R&B and pop world, so why the shift to country? Although it hasn't been confirmed, many feel Beyoncé's less-than-warm reception at the 2016 Country Music Awards triggered the shift. '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,' said Beyonce in an 2024 Instagram post. Bey performed with the Chicks at the 2016 CMAs. 'The criticisms I faced when I first entered this genre forced me to propel past the limitations that were put on me,' Beyonce added. 'Act II is a result of challenging myself, and taking my time to bend and blend genres together to create this body of work.' 'Act II' is 'Cowboy Carter,' and this act is still unfolding. Upcoming shows at MetLife are Saturday, May 24; Sunday, May 25; Wednesday, May 28; and Friday, May 29. Check out Thursday's setlist below for what Beyonce played at the MetLife opener: American Requiem Blackbird The Star-Spangled Banner Freedom Ya Ya / Why Don't You Love Me Oh Louisiana America Has a Problem Spaghetti Formation My House Diva Alligator Tears Just for Fun Protector Flamenco Desert Eagle Riverdance II Hands II Heaven II Tyrant Thique Levii's Jeans Sweet Honey Buckiin' / Pure Honey / Summer Renaissance Texas Hold 'Em Crazy in Love Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It) Love on Top Irreplaceable If I Were A Boy Jolene Daddy Lessons Bodyguard II Most Wanted Cuff It Heated Before I Let Go Daughter Renaissance I'm That Girl Cozy Alien Superstar 16 Carriages Amen Chris Jordan, a Jersey Shore native, covers entertainment and features for the USA Today Network New Jersey. Contact him at cjordan@ This article originally appeared on Beyoncé Cowboy Carter at MetLife Stadium setlist: What did Bey play?
USA Today
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Maren Morris on touring, Taylor Swift advice and why she feels like Elphaba in 'Wicked'
Maren Morris on touring, Taylor Swift advice and why she feels like Elphaba in 'Wicked' Show Caption Hide Caption Maren Morris gets candid on her past year: 'It hasn't been easy' Maren Morris chats with USA TODAY's Ralphie Aversa about her Golden Globe nomination and the past year of her life and career. Maren Morris is a few days past her divergent Coachella performances – a lovely 'My Church' with the LA Philharmonic and a lively 'The Middle' with electro-pop DJ Zedd – and she's still buzzing from the desert music festival. 'Singing 'My Church' with the orchestra, that was my first single and country hit but you saw 10 years later the resonance it still had with the crowd,' Morris says from Nashville. 'I always get emotional during that song, but with the choir and the setting at golden hour when we performed … and then cut to the next night with Zedd. A complete 180. We've had such a great friendship so I didn't feel as nervous. And the artists he brought up – John Mayer and Julia Michaels – are all my friends, so it was a celebratory night.' Morris has plenty to revel in this year. Her just-released fourth studio album, 'Dreamsicle,' a lush pop-leaning extension of last summer's 'Intermission' EP, is stocked with equal parts sass and introspection. The songs 'Bed No Breakfast' and 'Push Me Over' detail modern dating from the bisexual Morris with a mixture of cheeky humor and pure exploratory lust, while the album's glossy title track digs into her continued acceptance that sometimes even things that feel permanent melt away ('Will I ever enjoy anything while I'm standing in it?' she muses in the song). When it's mentioned that much of the lyrical content on the album has a 'something has changed within me' vibe connected to the "Wicked" song 'Defying Gravity,' Morris immediately agrees. More: Beyoncé brings Cowboy Carter to life in flawless tour kick off: Review 'I'm a massive 'Wicked' fan and I heavily identify with Elphaba. Her core beliefs have been so rocked that she feels so betrayed, but she also has this intrepid calmness because she knows she can't change the entire system,' Morris, 35, says. 'Everyone comes to the point with their hometown or a relationship and been like, I have reached the finish line of whatever this was and I cannot stick around ... and that is scary.' Morris, who divorced country singer/songwriter Ryan Hurd in 2024 (they share a 5-year-old son, Hayes) said she reached out to friends including Taylor Swift and The Chicks during her times of personal upheaval and gleaned 'peace and advice' from them. But her experiences are her own, and Morris views 'Dreamsicle' as a 'demarcation line' in her life. 'It's honoring her,' she says of her younger self, 'and not this 'youth is wasted on the young' bitterness, but more 'thank God she got me here.' These are several chapters of my life going into one full (album) and I'm honoring each of them. I'm so happy I gave myself the time to do so. This is a healing space.' Along with her new album, Morris will embark on a global trek to support 'Dreamsicle,' with the North American leg starting July 12 in Quebec City and running through Sept. 12 in Atlanta. Tickets are on sale at 10 a.m. local time May 2 via She's been crafting the tour and production for about a year and is excited that plans 'are 3D now and not just an email PDF.' The mix of festivals, amphitheaters and clubs is something she's become used to since the pandemic caused the cancelation of her 2020 RSVP Tour. 'Since COVID we've been flexible and adaptable to the touring scale, which we learned to do out of necessity. It's worked in our favor because playing some intimate venues, we can get our bearings from day one,' she says. 'I just want (the shows) to feel like a vulnerable, fun experience and escape. I'm really setting an artistically high bar for myself and I want it to feel human to the fan buying the ticket.' While the color palette of 'Dreamsicle' indicates a '60s-era 'Beach Blanket Bingo' motif, Morris is leaning more toward the trees and ambient lighting of her last tour rather than the 'crazy LED walls and low fog and hydraulic lifts' from her run to support 'Girl' in 2019. 'I love a lamp and a rug and some instruments. Those have always been touchstones to me, like, can these people actually play and sing? I do love an over-the-top show, but for what I do, I think there is a way to blend both worlds and bring it back to an organic space of real humans making music,' she says. More: Post Malone fires up first stadium tour with trusty accomplice Jelly Roll: Review As with her 2022 Humble Quest Tour, Morris will be joined by her closest fan, son Hayes, who is already a road warrior who travels well, loves to visit catering and hang out with mom's band. Morris readily admits that touring with a child changes the dynamic – 'Your day is a lot longer and a lot different,' she says – but she appreciates the ancillary benefits of having her little guy on the bus. 'The biggest gift with kids is experiencing things through their eyes and he's getting me out of my comfort zone of the bus and venue and we're going to the local zoo and park,' she says. Once she's on stage, though, Morris will sprinkle many of her new songs throughout a set that might include her reworked slow-burn version of Billy Idol's 1983 fist pumper, 'Dancing with Myself' along with new album tracks that she describes as 'living in organic spaces to heavily layered synths and vocal stacks.' Two standout tracks, the funky 'People Still Show Up' co-produced by Jack Antonoff and the pub singalong 'Too Good,' are prime contenders and also indicative of Morris' personal listening habits during her writing and recording period – a lot of Patty Griffin, Foy Vance and a throwback to her high school years, The Cardigans. 'I was in this deep, deep '70s mindset,' she says. 'There was a lot of vulnerability and chaos in my songwriting, but also a lot of fun and pop … I never feel like I have to change anything.'
Business Insider
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Insider
Every song on Beyoncé's 'Cowboy Carter' tour set list
Beyoncé kicked off the "Cowboy Carter" tour on Monday in Inglewood, California. The set list included a variety of hits and fan-favorite tracks from her country-inspired album. Every song she performed for opening night is listed below, excluding video intros and interludes. Beyoncé took the stage on Monday at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, to kick off her much-anticipated Cowboy Carter Tour. Beyoncé previously hit the road in 2023 for the Renaissance World Tour, which was also adapted into a blockbuster concert movie. The superstar's eighth solo album, "Cowboy Carter," was unveiled last year as the follow-up to " Renaissance" and the second installment in an ongoing trilogy that broadly examines genre, heritage, and legacy. It won over critics with its bold take on Nashville traditions and went on to win album of the year at the 2025 Grammy Awards in February, becoming Beyoncé's first win in the category. Beyoncé previously debuted live renditions of select "Cowboy Carter" tracks, including "16 Carriages," "Ya Ya," and "Texas Hold 'Em," during a livestreamed NFL halftime show on Christmas Day. However, other fan-favorite tracks like "Bodyguard" and "II Most Wanted" — in addition to hits and deep cuts from across her discography — will finally get their time to shine during Beyoncé's 32-show trek across the US. The tour's opening night set list is cataloged below, in chronological order of performance. 'Ameriican Requiem' "Ameriican Requiem" is the opening track on "Cowboy Carter." The lyrics allude to Beyoncé's duet with The Chicks at the 2016 CMA Awards, which sparked backlash among conservative country fans ("It's a lot of talkin' goin' on / While I sing my song / Can you hear me? / I said, 'Do you hear me?'"). Upon the album's release, Beyoncé told fans that "Cowboy Carter" was inspired by a time when she "did not feel welcomed" by the country music establishment. 'Blackbiird' Beyoncé's cover of The Beatles' "Blackbird" highlights the important role of Black women in Nashville, recruiting four of the genre's rising stars to provide harmonies and backing vocals: Tanner Adell, Brittney Spencer, Tiera Kennedy, and Reyna Roberts. 'The Star-Spangled Banner' Beyoncé's performance of the United States national anthem underscores a key "Cowboy Carter" theme — that country music, much like the actual country where it was created, has always been indebted to the labor of Black people. "Cowboy Carter" has often been cast as a "reclamation a genre that's been divorced from its original creators," in the words of Kofi Mframa for USA Today. At the tour's opening show, Beyoncé's merch stand sold T-shirts that read, "Never ask for permission for something that already belongs to you." 'Freedom' 'Ya Ya' and 'Why Don't You Love Me' Beyoncé performed a mashup of the standout "Cowboy Carter" track "Ya Ya" with a deep cut from her third solo album, "I Am... Sasha Fierce." 'America Has a Problem' 'Spaghettii' "Spaghettii" is the 12th track on "Cowboy Carter." The studio version features Linda Martell, a pioneering country singer from the early '70s, and Shaboozey, a genre-bending country star whose 2024 hit "A Bar Song (Tipsy)" broke the record among solo songs for most weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. 'Formation' " Formation" was released as the lead single from "Lemonade." Beyoncé gave her debut performance of the song during a surprise appearance at the 2016 Super Bowl halftime show. 'My House' "My House" was released as a standalone track in 2023, sandwiched between "Renaissance" and "Cowboy Carter." 'Diva' In a scene from "Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé," the superstar contemplates cutting "Diva" from the set list. Her eldest daughter, Blue Ivy Carter, protests. "You can't do that!" she tells her mother. "I appreciate your opinion, but you've gotta calm down," Beyoncé replies. Lo and behold, "Diva" remained in the "Renaissance" tour set list — and stuck around for "Cowboy Carter," too. 'Alliigator Tears' 'Just for Fun' 'Protector' 'Flamenco' 'Desert Eagle' "Desert Eagle" is the 22nd track on "Cowboy Carter." 'Riiverdance' "Riiverdance" is the 23rd track on "Cowboy Carter." It was cowritten by Beyoncé and Rachel Keen, aka Raye, who was recently nominated for best new artist at the Grammys. 'II Hands II Heaven' "II Hands II Heaven" is the 24th track on "Cowboy Carter." 'Sweet Honey Buckiin,' 'Pure/Honey,' and 'Summer Renaissance' Beyoncé performed a mashup of a high-energy "Cowboy Carter" standout with two fan-favorite tracks from "Renaissance." 'Jolene' Beyoncé's "Jolene" is a reimagined version of Dolly Parton's classic country tune. 'Daddy Lessons' "Daddy Lessons," the sixth track on "Lemonade," marked Beyoncé first official foray into country music. The song is both a celebration and a critique of her family legacy, particularly her father, who hails from Gadsden, Alabama. 'Bodyguard' "Bodyguard" is the eighth track on "Cowboy Carter." Beyoncé released a visualizer for the song last November, inspired by Pamela Anderson's role in "Baywatch." 'II Most Wanted' "II Most Wanted" is the 16th track on "Cowboy Carter." The studio version is a duet with Miley Cyrus, a lifelong Beyoncé fan. The song was also coproduced by Ryan Tedder, who previously worked with Beyoncé on ballads like "Halo" and "XO." 'Cuff It' "Cuff It" is the fourth track on "Renaissance." 'Tyrant' 'Thique' "Thique" is the 12th track on "Renaissance." 'Levii's Jeans' 'Daughter' "Daughter" is the 11th track on "Cowboy Carter." 'I'm That Girl' 'Cozy' 'Alien Superstar' 'Texas Hold 'Em' "Texas Hold 'Em" was surprise-released as the lead single from "Cowboy Carter" during the 2024 Super Bowl. It debuted at No. 1 on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart, making Beyoncé the first Black woman in history to hold the top position. "Texas Hold 'Em" also reached No. 1 on the Hot 100, where it remained for two weeks. 'Crazy in Love' Beyoncé released "Crazy in Love" featuring her future husband, Jay-Z, as her debut solo single in 2003 — three years before Destiny's Child officially disbanded. 'Heated' "Heated" is the 11th track on "Renaissance." 'Before I Let Go' Beyoncé previously covered "Before I Let Go," the 1981 single by R&B band Maze, during her headlining performance at Coachella in 2018. '16 Carriages' "16 Carriages" was released alongside "Texas Hold 'Em" as the lead single's B-side. 'Amen' "Amen" is the closing track on "Cowboy Carter."
