'Blackbird' Contributors Talk Beyoncé and Country Music
'Blackbird' Contributors Talk About Beyoncé's Influence on Country Music
Beyoncé Knowles-Carter's new album, „Act II: Cowboy Carter,” isn't buzzing the Internet, celebs raved about her new country music on the yellow carpet at the 2024 iHeartRadio Music Awards.
„When you think she can't go to the next level, she does,” said Tochi, who is nominated for three awards. „I think it's amazing, and I'd love to see black cougars and cowboys out there.”
She was „blown away” by „Cowboy Carter” and appreciates what Beyoncé has gone through in various genres throughout her career.
The superstar himself made an appearance at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles for the awards show, which was set to air on Fox at 8 p.m. ET. Beyoncé will receive one of the night's top honors, the Innovator Award, a few days later The album came out on Friday.
Two-time nominated country artist Lainey Wilson says she'll be „jamming” to „II Most Wanted” featuring Miley Cyrus.
„I'm glad that fans who didn't know they liked country music are discovering that they might like it a little bit,” Wilson said. „I see country music growing now.”
Blanco Brown, a black country music artist, said he hasn't had a chance to hear „Cowboy Carter” yet, but he loves the single „Texas Hold 'Em.” He hopes that more black artists will see this type of success.
„I want to get to a point where there's no room for one or two, and it's just the music, and it speaks for itself,” Brown said. „I'm just going to keep creating. That's my aim.
The Black Music Action Coalition released the 2022 report „Three Chords & the Real Truth” about the history of systemic racism in the country music industry. The group's co-founder Willie „Prophet” Stiggers said it was the first Beyoncé album he had listened to from start to finish and that it was „unique”.
„I think what Beyoncé has done is remarkable, not just what she's done for herself, but the fact that six new black artists are streaming on Spotify,” Stigers said. „It's a sign of the audience and the appetite for black people in country music.”
The Amazing country music project took social media by storm and became Spotify's most streamed album in a single day in 2024.
According to iHeartRadio, the Innovator Award is given to an artist who continues to contribute to the pop culture and music industry.
„Few artists in the course of history have taken creative risks, successfully transformed their music and influenced pop culture on the level of Beyoncé,” said an iHeartRadio news release. „Over the years, the global cultural icon has produced chart-topping music In many formsAll the while crafting amazing tours, including last year's Renaissance World Tour — the highest-grossing tour in history for an R&B artist and a black female artist.”
The award show is hosted by Ludacris and will air on Fox at 8 pm ET/7 pm CT. It will be broadcast on iHeartMedia radio stations worldwide and on the iHeartRadio app.
Follow Caché McClay, USA TODAY Network's Beyoncé Knowles-Carter Correspondent Instagram, TikTok And X As @cachemcclay.
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