Legendary country music performer Ronnie Milsap has caused a stir in both the country and pop music industries, setting off what looks to be one of the most unexpected cultural conflicts of the year. His scathing comments regarding Beyoncé’s most recent foray into country music with her concept album Cowboy Carter are still being played on the radio. Known for his international hits in the 1970s and 1980s and his major contributions to the country genre, Milsap wasn’t holding back when he called Beyoncé a “fraudster” and wrote off her attempts at country music as unauthentic.
She may have talent, but she is not a country music performer. In an interview that was recently broadcast on a Nashville radio station, Milsap said, “You can’t just throw on a cowboy hat, strum a few chords, and call it country.” His remarks coincide with Beyoncé’s album’s recent success, which has not only sent it to the top of the Billboard country charts but also spurred a wider discussion about the bounds of genre and the legitimacy of artistic expression.
Unquestionably a fusion album, Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter combines elements of pop, hip-hop, country, blues, and even an Irish jig. Beyoncé describes the album, the second in a trilogy, as a “journey through a reinvention of Americana.” Its ambitious scale and eclectic sound have drawn praise and criticism alike. She is praised by both critics and fans for shattering musical stereotypes and examining American music history from a contemporary perspective. Her genre-bending, according to some traditionalists, is too extreme since it lacks the simplicity and purity of traditional country music.
This purism is tapped into in Milsap’s critique. “Simplicity, soul, and storytelling are the hallmarks of country music.” He clarified, “It’s not about putting everything together like a salad bar and hope it tastes well. In an era of musical hybrids, several seasoned musicians and fans feel that the borders of the genre are being pushed too thin, and his remarks reflect a broader skepticism towards this belief.
But in order to really appreciate Beyoncé’s record, one must acknowledge her stated goal, which is to draw attention to the sometimes-overlooked contributions made by Black pioneers to American musical and cultural history. Focusing on Black musicians in the country genre, where they have traditionally been marginalized, is one way to do this. Black country musicians Brittney Spencer and Willie Jones have collaborated with Cowboy Carter, weaving their voices with Beyoncé’s to produce a sound that is both fresh and richly influenced by history.
Many in the music business have come to Beyoncé’s defense despite Milsap’s harsh remarks, claiming that her work is reviving interest in country music among younger and more varied audiences. Beyoncé is creating opportunities. Marcus Hummon, a composer and music producer, stated, “She’s inviting people to experience country music in a new way, and that’s something we should celebrate, not condemn.”
There has always been a disagreement about what makes country music “real.” The genre has evolved significantly throughout the years, moving from the classic sounds of Patsy Cline and Hank Williams to the modern influences of Carrie Underwood and Taylor Swift. Every wave of change has brought forth a unique set of debates and conversations concerning originality and authenticity.
Although Beyoncé hasn’t explicitly addressed Milsap’s remarks, those close to the musician say she’s glad of the discussions her album has sparked and that she’s still devoted to her artistic vision. “Beyoncé thinks music has the ability to unite people from all backgrounds and places. Perhaps it’s worth having a conversation if Cowboy Carter challenges people’s preconceptions of what country music can be, according to a source.
The album is still doing well both critically and commercially, which suggests that people aren’t as opposed to Beyoncé’s merging of genres as purists may think. For a new generation of country music lovers, the hits “Texas Hold ‘Em” and “16 Carriages” have become hits. Many of these listeners are drawn to the song specifically because of its avant-garde fusion of genres.
Cowboy Carter is undoubtedly more than simply an album—as the argument continues, it’s becoming increasingly evident that it’s a cultural phenomenon that is pushing the limits of musical genres and the definition of authenticity. Whether one agrees with Milsap or believes Beyoncé’s music is a daring reinvention of country music, this battle of the titans of music has clearly resonated deeply in the core of the American cultural landscape.
This debate draws attention to the conflicts that arise with musical development, but it also makes a very important point: music and culture are dynamic. It is always changing due to societal, technological, and historical trends. Through Cowboy Carter, Beyoncé challenges us to reconsider what it means to be a country music artist in the twenty-first century. She is both a result of this growth and a driver for more change.