The Beyoncé Effect: A Wave of Change in Country Music

As the Super Bowl halftime show dazzled millions around the globe, Beyoncé surprised the world with more than just her commerical. Dropping two country songs during the second half, she set a new tone, sparking conversations and igniting a wave of change within the realm of country music.

For those following Beyoncé's artistic journey, it wasn't entirely unexpected. Rumors had circulated about her upcoming album in the Renaissance series, hinting at a country-based sound. Yet, the sudden unveiling of two country tracks, both with a personal and intimate touch in their lyrics, caught many off guard.

Almost immediately, social media erupted. TikTok and Instagram stories were flooded with tags and shares, while Twitter buzzed with the rise of my fellow Black Country Artists and groups like country duo The Kentucky Gentleman and initiatives like The Black Opry founded by Holly G in 2020, began receiving newfound attention from Beyonce fans.

Beyoncé's presence in the country music sphere sparked a vital question: Are there Black voices in country music? While artists like Darius Rucker, Charley Pride, Rissi Palmer, and Miko Marks have paved the way, their visibility on mainstream platforms remains limited. Mickey Guyton's most recent hit, "Black Like ME," thrust her into the spotlight after years of perseverance. Yet, the question persists: Why aren't these artists heard on country radio?

Nashville, the epicenter of country music, operates on a radio-centric model. To achieve recognition, awards, and sustained careers, artists must secure airplay. However, the country radio landscape remains largely dominated by white male voices, leaving little room for diversity. Even white female artists struggle to secure the same level of exposure.

The Beyoncé effect, though nascent, carries the potential for transformative impact. In just four days, it has already reshaped streaming algorithms and brought long-overdue recognition to those like myself who've toiled in the genre's margins. But the ultimate question lingers: Will country radio embrace this change?

The answer remains uncertain. Yet, Beyoncé's intervention serves as a catalyst for broader conversations about representation and inclusivity in country music. It challenges industry norms and encourages listeners to explore the rich tapestry of voices that define the genre.

As we navigate the evolving landscape of country music, one thing is clear: The Beyoncé effect isn't just about music—it's about amplifying diverse narratives, challenging stereotypes, and building a more inclusive future for country music. And for that, we can all sing along in harmony.

We Want Justice, Not Revenge

Police Brutality & Systematic Racism in the Judicial System 

With everything the year has presented to us in our country, nothing is more prevalent right now than the need for judicial reform. Unfortunately, in the United States, the terms revenge and justice often get muddled in conversation. Without clarification, these words can be misconstrued into something that takes away from the mission at hand. Let us be clear, revenge is predominantly emotional. The cases of outlandish behavior can come from not getting your way, and therefore there are acts of violence that can be viewed as a vengeful response. Justice, however, is primarily rational. It focuses on the logic, ethics, and legal standpoints that right the wrongs in a society based on what has been established by law. The issue here is that when justice is not followed based on the guidelines that are created, revenge can feel like a natural response, especially for those within the black community. While justice is supposed to be closure and offer a resolution, this is not the case for many Black Americans, especially in police brutality. 

Unfortunately, the epidemic of police violence towards black men and women in America is not a new narrative in this country. Since the beginning of the Black Lives Matter movement in 2013, the amount of light that has been shed concerning police use of force has been prominent, and with social media on the continuous rise, there are more eyes than ever on this issue. Which prompts many to think, how is it possible these persist? With many police officers not being held accountable, systematic racism infiltrates the judicial system. The disadvantages that plague Black America have prevented us from receiving equality in the fundamental rights we were born to have in this country. Inaction is simply unacceptable at this time. From the recent killings of Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and sadly many others, these defining moments and next steps need to lead to critical solutions.

MY GARDEN

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how I want to contribute to this space. The space that lies between me as an artist, me as a women, me as a biracial women, me as a citizen of America, me as a daughter etc.

How do I want to show up. What seeds do I want to be planting. What seeds have I planted.

I’ve been looking at what has been growing in my life. That is a way to see what I have been planting..

A couple years back during a breakup one of my great friends told me that we have separate gardens. Why was a trying to tend this garden with this man and plant seeds when it was never to be watered. I was told to let that garden sit and water my solo garden. Plant seeds. Tend to it. Nurture it. 

It took me awhile to not check on that other garden, to not want to know how it was doing or what was growing. It took me a long time to not want to pull the weeds or bring it water. One day I realized I had not checked on that garden in Awhile. It was still there, in the same place. Now weeds had grown but also some flowers. I didn’t feel the need to pull either. I just acknowledged it and went back to my own. My own garden which was full of vegetables and flowers and benches and trees. 

Some weeds were coming in so I pulled them. 

This is a visual I use daily in my life. What garden am I looking at. What garden am I planting my seed in. It’s important not only to plant good seed and to sow good soil but to also plant it in the right place and season. 

My garden will never be done.. but now I can dive deeper into what type of garden I am trying to grow.. what space I’m trying to cultivate. What I want to contribute.