Mathew Knowles, the father of music superstar Beyoncé, has publicly expressed his frustration over the recent Country Music Awards (CMA) snub of his daughter’s album, Cowboy Carter. Despite the album’s success, neither Beyoncé nor Cowboy Carter received nominations for the 2024 awards, a decision Knowles believes is racially motivated.
In an interview with TMZ, Knowles voiced his dismay, saying he wasn’t surprised by the snub. He noted that Beyoncé’s venture into country music has not always been well-received, referencing her controversial 2016 performance with the Dixie Chicks. “There’s more white people in America, and unfortunately, they don’t vote based on ability and achievements,” Knowles stated. “It’s still sometimes a white and black thing.”
Knowles Believes Beyoncé’s Country Success is Overlooked
Released in March 2024, Cowboy Carter made history, topping the Billboard 200 for two weeks and spending a month at No. 1 on the Top Country Albums chart. Its lead single, “Texas Hold ‘Em,” held the No. 1 spot on the Hot Country Songs chart for ten weeks, making Beyoncé the first Black woman to reach that milestone.
Knowles emphasized that the CMA voters’ decision to overlook his daughter’s achievements in the genre speaks volumes about the ongoing racial divide in the country music industry. “It still comes down to white and black,” he added, acknowledging the challenges artists of color face when breaking into traditionally white-dominated spaces like country music.
A Missed Opportunity for Recognition
Several artists, including CMA-nominated Shaboozey, have shown their support for Beyoncé following the snub. “Thank you @Beyonce for opening a door for us,” Shaboozey tweeted, praising her for sparking conversations and creating one of the “most innovative country albums of all time.”
While Beyoncé has not publicly commented on the snub, her father’s sentiments reflect the ongoing struggles for recognition faced by Black artists in country music. “In America, there’s no accountability for people not being accepting of other cultures,” Knowles remarked, highlighting the racial dynamics at play in the CMA’s decision-making process.