Oklahoma Radio Station Agrees to Play Beyoncé's Country Song After Social Media Stir

Beyoncé released country-adjacent singles, sparking a debate about race and genre in country music. A country station eventually played her song.

Beyoncé caused a stir at the Super Bowl media event by releasing two country-influenced singles and announcing her new album, Act II, which seems to be her foray into the country genre. This has sparked debates about genre and who gets to decide what fits into each category. Beyoncé previously stirred controversy in 2016 when she performed "Daddy Lessons" with the Chicks at the CMAs, and it seems like she is once again challenging the boundaries of genre with her new music.

One country station, KYKC in Ada, Oklahoma, initially refused to play Beyoncé's new single "Texas Hold 'Em," sparking accusations of racism. However, after receiving an overwhelming amount of support for the song, the station ultimately decided to play it three times on Tuesday night. The station manager, Roger Harris, admitted that he was not aware of Beyoncé's venture into country music but expressed support for her exploration of the genre.

The country music industry has historically been a closed-loop system, with its own set of songwriters, producers, and musicians. It tends to reject artists who do not conform to its established norms. While some non-country artists, like Darius Rucker of Hootie And The Blowfish, have successfully transitioned into the country genre, there have been fewer success stories for Black artists. Beyoncé's attempt to embrace country sounds and aesthetics without conforming to the Nashville system is unprecedented, and it is likely to continue sparking conversations and controversies as she continues with her Act II album cycle.

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