Maticoonews

The Impact of Beyoncé's Country Album on CMA Awards and Diversity in Country Music

Nov 20, 2024 at 7:13 PM

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVD) — The much-awaited CMA awards are set to take place on Wednesday. While there are numerous favorite country stars vying for nominations, one notable absence this year sparked a significant commotion and reignited the discourse on diversity within the genre. We recall how Beyoncé was not nominated for her debut country album, yet artists like Shaboozey have emerged this year and are nominated in multiple categories. This led us to inquire about how the Country Music Association and country artists are striving to improve each year.

How the CMA is Working Towards Inclusion

The Country Music Association's CEO, Sarah Trahern, emphasized their commitment to being "colorblind" in their platform. "We want to give a platform to artists regardless of their race, whether they are Black, Latin, or LGBTQ. It's exciting to see the number of diverse artists coming in and wanting to be grounded in our form," she said. During the week leading up to the award show, the CMA celebrated diverse voices with Country Forward 'A Day Party For Inclusion' at Cannery Hall, with Trahern in attendance alongside stars like Leah Turner and Ashlie Amber and the Boykinz.

Artists like Brittany Spencer are playing a crucial role in shaping the evolution of country music. "It makes me so happy to see so many Black country artists doing amazing things. This is a movement, and I'm looking forward to seeing what the next 5 to 10 years hold," Spencer said. Both Brittany and Shaboozey were featured in Beyoncé's recent Cowboy Carter album, a groundbreaking release that unfortunately did not secure a CMA Award nomination.

Shaboozey's Rise and Impact

"A Bar Song (Tipsy)" by Shaboozey has become a global sensation. It reached number one in South Africa, Canada, and the UK. Now, he is one of the top artists to watch at the CMA Awards, with nominations in multiple categories and having held the number one spot for 15 weeks. Shaboozey expressed his gratitude to Beyoncé for opening the door and called her album one of the most innovative in country music history. "I couldn't have predicted any of this, but it's amazing to be a part of such significant moments," he added.

Despite being one of only 3 black artists nominated this year, Shaboozey's success raises questions about the inclusivity of the CMAs. Trahern acknowledged the progress made but also recognized that there is more work to be done. "We're proud of the steps we've taken and look forward to continuing to provide opportunities for diverse artists," she said.

You can catch the CMA's live broadcast on Wednesday, November 20th, on ABC11.