Country music veteran Billy Ray Cyrus has voiced his disappointment over Beyoncé’s exclusion from the 2024 CMA Awards nominations, despite her groundbreaking success with COWBOY CARTER. Hours before the ceremony on November 20, Cyrus addressed the omission, reigniting conversations about inclusivity in country music.
Beyoncé’s Record-Breaking Achievements
Beyoncé’s COWBOY CARTER was a monumental success, making waves across country music and beyond. The album’s lead single, Texas Hold ‘Em, topped the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart for 10 consecutive weeks, becoming the second longest-running No. 1 hit of the year. It also cemented Beyoncé’s place in history as the first Black woman to achieve such a feat.
The album itself held the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s country album chart for four weeks, another first for a Black female artist. Yet, despite this unprecedented success, Beyoncé did not receive a single nomination at the CMAs, a decision that has sparked widespread criticism.
Billy Ray Cyrus Speaks Out
Billy Ray Cyrus, who has previously collaborated with Beyoncé, expressed his surprise at the snub in a candid social media post.
“I was surprised to see @beyonce wasn’t nominated???” Cyrus wrote. “Her album was brilliant… her single ruled. But she knows that. She doesn’t need a trophy from the CMA… or permission… or approval from any of their judges.”
Cyrus also referenced his own frustrations with the CMA, noting how his 2019 win with Lil Nas X for Old Town Road in the Event of the Year category was not aired during the live broadcast.
Quoting Muhammad Ali, Cyrus concluded, “When ya knock ’em out… ya don’t need no judge.”
Beyoncé and the CMA Controversy
The snub comes amid lingering tensions between Beyoncé and the country music establishment. Many point to her 2016 CMA Awards performance with The Chicks as a turning point. Beyoncé faced backlash from parts of the country music community, which her father, Mathew Knowles, believes has influenced her treatment by the CMA.
“There’s more white people in America, and unfortunately they don’t vote based on ability and achievements,” Knowles commented. “It’s still sometimes a white and Black thing.”
Beyoncé herself has acknowledged the challenging history. She revealed that COWBOY CARTER was partly inspired by her 2016 experience. “It was born out of an experience where I did not feel welcomed,” she said while announcing the album. “But, because of that experience, I did a deeper dive into the history of country music and studied our rich musical archive.”
Fans and critics have echoed Cyrus’ sentiments, calling the CMA’s decision a missed opportunity to celebrate diversity and talent in country music. One fan wrote, “How do you ignore a record-breaking album like COWBOY CARTER? Beyoncé deserved better.”
As the conversation around Beyoncé’s snub continues, many hope it will reignite discussions about inclusivity in the country music industry, ensuring future recognition for artists who break barriers and challenge norms.