Shaking Up The Music Industry

Graphics by Anika Dua

Hey Jerks. We are here finally to talk about the Queen Bee herself, Beyoncé. She recently made a bold new business move by dropping two new songs, “Texas Hold ‘Em” and “16 Carriages” which are both in the country music genre. 

Unfortunately though, instead of enjoying this amazing new step in her career, we have to address the elephant in the room. The racism in the country music industry has always existed but even towards a decorated artist such as Beyoncé herself it still rears it’s ugly head. 

From radio stations refusing to play her songs because “they only play country music” to media talkheads discrediting her music because “it’s not really country”. There is actually a clip online of someone comparing black artists to dogs saying that they just want to be involved in everything. If you don’t believe me, here’s the clip. 

This is a clear example of music industries stonewalling artists based on the color of their skin and not the content of their music, also known as blatant racism. Even with Beyoncé’s accomplishments as the most Grammy nominated artist (alive or dead) or her widespread popularity among diverse audiences.

The idea that country music can only come from white artists is an example of the industry being whitewashed and excluding black artists from the same accomplishments and credits. Did you know that r the roots of country music were influenced by West Africa and have roots in black culture? This fact is largely unknown as the country music industry features solely white artists and deliberately shuns the black artists that want to step into it. 

Beyoncé’s move into country music is a door-opener for upcoming black artists who want to be included into an industry that they have historically been excluded from. The assumption that black artists like Beyonce, who has created a path for herself and black women behind her, want to take over everything is just another example of hidden racism. Credit has to be given where credit is due and moves like this are a necessity in breaking walls that have kept marginalized groups excluded from equal success in the music industry.