The release of BeyoncĂ©âs Cowboy Carter in March 2024 shook the country music sceneâbut not everyone is tipping their hat in approval. While the album topped charts and sparked viral moments, one outspoken country artist has publicly called out the Grammy-winning superstar, claiming her project is ânot countryâ by any real standard.
During a recent set, country singer Adcock unleashed a whiskey-fueled rant that ignited both cheers from his crowd and fiery backlash from BeyoncĂ©âs loyal fans, the BeyHive.
đ„ âThat Sh*t Ainât Country Musicâ â Adcock Blasts BeyoncĂ©
âThereâs only three people in front of me on the Apple Music country charts, and one of them is BeyoncĂ©,â Adcock declared mid-performance. âYou can tell her weâre coming for her f*ing a.â
The crowd erupted in cheers as the singer doubled down, saying:
âThat sh*t ainât country music, it ainât ever been country music and it ainât gonna be country music.â
The clip quickly went viral, fueling intense debate over genre purity and whether BeyoncĂ©âs album deserved its country label.
đ The BeyHive Strikes Back
As expected, BeyoncĂ©âs army of fans wasted no time in clapping back. Social media platforms were flooded with posts defending the Cowboy Carter singer and slamming Adcock for his remarks.
In response to the backlash, Adcock took to Instagram to clarify his stance.
âWhen I was a little kid, my mama was blasting BeyoncĂ© in the car,â he said in a video post. âIâve heard tons of her songs, and I actually thought her Super Bowl halftime show was pretty kick-ass back in the day. But I really donât believe her album should be labeled as country music. It doesnât sound country, it doesnât feel country, and people whoâve dedicated their lives to this genre shouldnât have to compete with it just because sheâs BeyoncĂ©.â
đč Dolly Parton Defends BeyoncĂ©: âA Magnificent Artistâ
While Adcock and others from country musicâs traditional guard seem hesitant to embrace Cowboy Carter, BeyoncĂ© has also found support from country royalty.
Legendary singer Dolly Parton revealed she was honored by BeyoncĂ©âs venture into country music.
âIâm a huge fan of BeyoncĂ©,â Parton shared in a recent interview. âSheâs a magnificent artist, and I absolutely loved her version of Jolene. I thought the whole album was really, really good.â
Partonâs glowing endorsement added fuel to the cultural debate, with many arguing that BeyoncĂ©âs versatility and artistry transcend genre lines.
đ„ BeyoncĂ©âs Cowboy Carter Continues Breaking Records
Despite the controversy, Cowboy Carter has been a commercial and critical triumph. The album not only dominated the Apple Music country charts but also attracted new audiences to the genre. BeyoncĂ©âs bold reimagining of classics like Jolene and her original country-inspired tracks have cemented her place as one of musicâs most boundary-breaking icons.