:quality(85):upscale()/2025/02/03/788/n/1922283/010b439467a1031f886f32.95387981_.jpg "Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter: Black Women & the Rise of Country")
Beyond the Boots and Ballads: how Beyoncé is Reclaiming Black roots in Country Music
Country music is undergoing a powerful reckoning. For years, a troubling undercurrent of exclusion has simmered beneath the surface, recently brought into sharp focus by instances of artists seemingly leveraging divisive rhetoric for marketing gain. As reported by NPR, figures like Morgan Wallen and Jason Aldean faced criticism for actions perceived as weaponizing racism. This climate lead Maren Morris to publicly distance herself from the genre in 2023, citing a resurgence of “biases” and openly expressed “misogyny, racism, and homophobia,” as she told the Los Angeles Times.
But this narrative overlooks a fundamental truth: Black artists are the foundation of country music. Their contributions have been historically minimized, yet deeply ingrained in the genre’s very DNA. It’s a history that artists like O.N.E the duo – Prana Supreme Diggs and her mother, Tekitha – are resolute to reclaim.
A History Often Untold
“Black Americans, so much of our history is rooted in the south,” explains Diggs. “Country is just as much a part of the fabric of black culture as hip-hop is.” This isn’t a new revelation.The influence of Black musicians on country music stretches back to its origins, often uncredited and overshadowed.
For too long, the mainstream narrative has presented a limited view of who belongs in country music. This exclusion isn’t just a matter of portrayal; it’s a denial of the genre’s rich, complex heritage.
The Beyoncé Effect: A Door Swinging Open
The announcement of Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter” project felt like a seismic shift. For many, it was a moment of validation, a signal that the door to inclusivity was finally beginning to open. Diggs vividly remembers the excitement. “The second the instrumental came on for ‘Texas Hold ‘Em,’ I was like, oh my god, it’s happening. We are finally hear.”
Tekitha, a vocalist for Wu-Tang Clan, echoes this sentiment. “In the Black and country community, we’ve really been needing a champion,” she says. “We’ve been needing someone who can kind of blow the door open and to recognize our voice is importent in this genre.”
Beyoncé’s arrival isn’t just about one artist; it’s about amplifying the voices of countless Black artists who have long been working within the genre, often without the recognition they deserve.
A Time for Recognition and Growth
Beyoncé’s recent Grammy wins further solidify this momentum. They demonstrate a growing willingness to acknowledge and celebrate the contributions of Black women to country music.
Artist Kennedy believes Beyoncé’s massive platform will be instrumental in elevating other Black country artists. “I’m super thankful that Beyoncé is entering into this genre and bringing this whole audience with her,” she states.”And hopefully that’ll bring up some of the artists that have been in town a long time and grinding at it. I don’t think there’s anybody better than Beyoncé to do it.”
Here’s what this shift could mean for the future of country music:
Increased Visibility: More opportunities for Black artists to gain mainstream recognition.
Genre Evolution: A broadening of the genre’s sound and perspective, incorporating diverse influences.
Healing and Reconciliation: A chance to address the historical exclusion and biases within the industry.
Authenticity: A return to the roots of country music, acknowledging its Black origins.
The conversation surrounding country music is evolving. It’s a conversation about inclusivity, authenticity, and recognizing the contributions of all who have shaped this uniquely American art form. Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter” isn’t just an album; it’s a catalyst for change, a powerful reminder that country music belongs to everyone.
About the Author:
Lena Felton (she/her) is a senior content director at PS, overseeing feature stories, special projects, and identity content.With a background in journalism as 2017, including roles at The Washington Post and The Atlantic, Lena is dedicated to elevating historically underrepresented voices through feature writng and editing.
