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Beyonce literally broke the GRAMMYs. Her country music album changed the entire format of the award show forever after widespread backlash to her victory in February.
The genre will now be split in two.
If you do not know the “controversy” to which I am referring, let me explain. Beyonce released Cowboy Carter on March 29, 2024 as her debut in country music. The lead single from album, Texas Hold ‘Em, immediately went viral on social media and on the radio. She later performed the most-watched non-Super Bowl halftime show in history on Christmas Day in Houston.
It would be wrong to discredit Cowboy Carter. It would be even more wrong to discredit Beyonce.
However, the album ruffled a lot of feathers among country music traditionalists. They were furious with her mockery of the genre. They did not believe she deserved to be called “country.”
To be fair, it is not just Beyonce. Those same folks are just as mad about Morgan Wallen, Post Malone, etc. Don’t even think to tell them about Akon’s new album. Their heads will explode. I digress.
The country music world — even beyond the true traditionalists — were furious when Beyonce won ‘Best Country Album’ at the GRAMMYs over Kacey Musgraves, Lainey Wilson and Chris Stapleton. I live in Nashville and I am not exaggerating when I say people are still cracking jokes about it in June.
That continued conversation led to a major change in the format of the GRAMMYs moving forward. The ‘Best Country Album’ award will no longer exist in its previous form.
The Recording Academy announced a split. There will be two different awards: Best Contemporary Country Album and Best Traditional Country Album.
The Traditional Country Album category will include “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,” like fiddle, banjo and mandolin. The Contemporary Country Album is not as defined.
“The intent is to recognize country music that remains reminiscent and relevant to the legacy of country music’s culture, while also engaging in more contemporary music forms,” the Recording Academy announced. Entries for the new category should “create a sensibility that reflects the broad spectrum of contemporary country style and culture” through their style and structure.
Beyonce would’ve received the award for Contemporary Country Album. She wouldn’t be eligible for Traditional Country Album.
Content shared from brobible.com.