BEYONCE’S No1 album Cowboy Carter was a triumph and spawned mega hit Texas Hold ‘Em, which spent five weeks at the top of the charts over here.
And in the US, she was the first ever black woman to have a No1 country album and single.
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But despite the critical acclaim and commercial success, Cowboy Carter and Texas Hold ’Em have been snubbed at the Country Music Association awards.
Leading the nominations for the CMA ceremony in November with seven nods is Morgan Wallen.
That’s right, the controversial, plaid shirt-wearing singer who was dropped by his label in 2021 for being caught using a racist slur.
Go figure.
Beyonce won’t be surprised by the snub. She would have been expecting it.
In 2016, she was invited to perform her track Daddy Lessons at the CMA awards with The Chicks.
The crowd were cheering but the internet started screaming — and there was a huge backlash from those who argued that Beyonce just wasn’t that country.
What they meant, but wouldn’t say out loud, is that Beyonce just isn’t that white.
The CMA later came under fire for removing social media posts about Beyonce’s performance from their social media accounts.
When questioned, they said they had removed the posts because of Beyonce’s “licensing agreement”.
But Chicks singer Natalie Maines didn’t accept that rubbish and said, quite rightly, that the CMA had caved to the “racist a**-holes bombarding their website with comments and emails”.
Beyonce, who is on the cover of October’s GQ magazine, later said that Cowboy Carter 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”.
Her decision to turn her experience on its head was genius, and Cowboy Carter broke countless records when released six months ago, including Texas Hold ’Em becoming the fastest country song in history to surpass 100million streams on Spotify.
‘No accountability’
Beyonce’s dad Mathew Knowles, who managed her group Destiny’s Child, made his feelings about the snub clear yesterday, pointing the finger at the 7,300 members of the CMA trade group who vote for the nominees.
He said: “In America, there’s no accountability for people not being accepting of other cultures.
“Unfortunately they don’t vote based on ability and achievements; it’s still sometimes a white and black thing.”
It absolutely is. And if we’re being black and white about it, the CMA board has a problem with black artists.
Last year, the incredible Tracy Chapman became the first black woman to win Song Of The Year at the CMAs, for her track Fast Car — only after it had been re-recorded and released by Luke Combs, a white man.
When Tracy’s Fast Car came out in 1988, more than 20 years after the CMA awards started, it didn’t get a look in.
Maybe a white man can record a version of Texas Hold ’Em for next year.
It will be a shoo-in then.
Nicki’s Lil bit angry with Jay Z
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NICKI MINAJ tore up the stage at Madison Square Garden – after first seeming to tear Jay Z a new one.
The Super Bass singer appeared to call out Jay, who is co-producing next year’s Super Bowl half-time show, for picking Kendrick Lamar to perform.
Many thought Lil Wayne who is from New Orleans where the game will take place, would be chosen.
Now Nicki and some other big names have claimed the snub by Jay Z is because of his long-running feud with Drake, who is a close pal of Lil Wayne.
Nicki, below, said: “I love watching the whole industry play dumb time after time.
“Denying a young black man what he rightfully put into this game for no other reason but your ego.
“Your hatred for Birdman, Drake and Nicki got you punishing Lil Wayne?”
I’ve got a feeling this isn’t going to blow over any time soon.
Cam-era action in lounge
CAMILA CABELLO is kicking off BBC Radio 1’s Live Lounge month, which sees stars perform at the station throughout October.
The Havana singer, inset, who will get things going a day early on September 30, said: “I literally cannot wait to perform in the Live Lounge again in a few weeks. It’s one of my favourite places to perform.”
Jade Thirlwall, Glass Animals, Shawn Mendes, Tom Grennan, Fontaines DC and Perrie Edwards are also confirmed.
The performances will air every Monday, Wednesday and Friday next month at noon on Rockie, Melvin and Charlie’s show.
Ocean’s a lemon, Brad?
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NOTHING says “I’ve got a hot, younger girlfriend” more than when a man suddenly changes their style.
And Brad Pitt has gone the whole hog after going public on his relationship with Ines de Ramon at Venice Film Festival last week.
He has waved goodbye to classic tailoring in favour of what appears to be the early stages of manxiety – which is what I like to call the transition middle-aged blokes tend to make when they’re dating someone younger than them.
And given Brad is 26 years older than Ines, I fear this may only get worse.
Earlier this week he was seen in some red and white houndstooth trousers, paired with a shirt that was cut so low it would make Simon Cowell blush.
And now he’s gone for another sartorial shocker, choosing a lemon yellow jacket and matching flared trousers for a night out with Ines in New York.
To top it all off, Brad has taken to wearing a pendant with the letter “I” engraved into it.
It’s supposed to stand for Ines, but if I’m being honest, all it makes me think is: “I need help”.
Chappell ban on brands
AFTER becoming the pop star every major artist is obsessed with, Chappell Roan is a woman in demand.
And in a new interview with Rolling Stone magazine, the Hot To Go singer responded furiously when asked about the big-money brand deals that have been coming her way, saying they aren’t for her.
Chappell, right, said: “All the money goes to the world-building.
“That’s why I am saying no to every f***ing brand deal right now, because I’m like ‘Does it fit in this world?’. “No, H&M does not fit in this world. Also, f*** H&M.
“No amount of money is going to [make me] consider working with [anyone].
“It has to be a hundred per cent right.”
Poor old H&M. I bet they’re sorry they asked.
Robbie thinks he’s The One for Oscars nod
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ROBBIE WILLIAMS has unveiled the song he hopes will win him an Oscar – or at the least a nomination.
The She’s The One singer performed Forbidden Road during an after-party at the Toronto International Film Festival, following the premiere of his biopic Better Man.
On the track, Robbie holds his hands up to mistakes he has made over the years, singing: “Maybe I’m never satisfied, I’ve made a lot of poor decisions, I made no revision.
“And I’m still trying to get it right. I’m a living contradiction, the cause of the infliction. You need to lose your mind to get back to life sometimes.”
The tune, which features in his film, will be submitted for Best Original Song at next year’s Oscars, but will have to fight off competition from Lady Gaga‘s Joker sequel and Ariana Grande’s Wicked.
A music insider said: “Robbie is excited not just for the chance to present his movie to the world, but also to have a crack at the Oscars.
“Paramount has faith in pushing the tune out to voters and promoting the track with their trailers and promos.
Of course there are no guarantees, but he has a stellar reputation and a terrific ability to entertain and that could help his case.”
They added: “Rob stands a great chance of being shortlisted at the Golden Globes, too.
“The voters are international and have a greater understanding of his contribution to the world of pop and long-term success.”
I’m a huge fan of Robbie, whose biopic is due out in December, so I would love to see him follow in the footsteps of Adele, Mark Ronson and Sam Smith by flying the flag for us Brits during next year’s award season.