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Beyonce debuts 2025 Cowboy Carter tour after “Best Country Album” and “Album of the Year” Grammys win.
Beyoncé’s album “Cowboy Carter” recently took home both the best country album and album of the year at the 2025 Grammys, alongside a “Cowboy Carter and the Rodeo Chitlin’ Circuit Tour” announcement. Controversy has been ignited among fans and industry insiders alike.
The genre-blurring album by the former R&B and hip-hop artist has dominated streaming charts since its release in March of 2024. The album debuted at No. 1 on multiple Billboard charts like “Billboard 200,” “Top Country Albums,” “Americana/Folk Albums” and “Top Album Sales.”
Though the album was lauded by the Recording Academy, its heavy pop influence and minimal traditional country instrumentation has continuously kept a small flame of debate burning for all listeners.
Anna Barrett, a junior communications major at the University of North Georgia, had strong opinions about the album.
“I think her win was a robbery of the country genre,” Barrett said. “Many others, like Chris Stapleton deserved [the award] after the album he released.”
Soul in Stereo music reviewer, Edward Bowser, said, “’Cowboy Carter’ allows [Beyoncé] to use her instrument in ways not explored since the days of her 4 album.”
Though Bowser got a lot of enjoyment out of the album, he also asks and answers the question, “Will this album give Beyoncé the acceptance she’s been searching for since 2016? No, I don’t think so.”
The “Texas Hold ‘Em” singer defended the album’s win during her acceptance speech. “I think genre is a cold word to keep us in our place as artists,” she said.
“I just want to encourage people to do what they are passionate about and to stay persistent.” – Beyoncé, singer and songwriter for “Cowboy Carter”
This debate mirrors past genre disputes, including the controversy surrounding Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road,” featuring Billy Ray Cyrus.
Fans are split down the middle, with some celebrating Beyoncé’s achievement as a sign of the genre’s expansion, while others called for stricter classification guidelines.
Madeline Blanchard, a junior ceramics major at UNG, said, “I think Cowboy Carter was a great album to win best country, and I do think it is classified as country.”
“She’s built a platform on being a southern musician, being from Texas and proud of it.” – Madeline Blanchard, UNG junior ceramics major
Blanchard went on to add, however, “I do not think it was quite right for album of the year… I would really love to see her perform this album, though.”