Country music has firmly established itself as a significant influence within the pop music sphere, as evidenced by the recent country albums released by artists not initially linked to the genre, including Beyoncé and Post Malone. These ventures have garnered attention, but it remains unclear how they will fare when the Grammy nominations are announced.
Beyoncé’s groundbreaking album, “Cowboy Carter,” has redefined the representation of Black artists in country music history, making her the first Black woman to achieve a No. 1 spot on the Billboard country albums chart. In a similar vein, Shaboozey’s track “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” has emerged as the year’s most dominant hit, achieving unprecedented longevity atop the Billboard Hot 100. By cleverly melding his country influences with a sample from J Kwon’s 2004 rap classic “Tipsy,” Shaboozey has made a significant mark on the charts. This summer marked a notable milestone for him, as he became only the second Black artist to claim the top position on both Billboard’s pop and country singles charts simultaneously.
Meanwhile, Post Malone has made an effortless foray into country music, spending considerable time in Nashville, showcasing his talents at the Grand Ole Opry, and enjoying chart success with the song “I Had Some Help,” a collaboration with Morgan Wallen. Despite their achievements, it is uncertain whether these newcomers to the genre will receive nominations when the Grammy acknowledgments are revealed next week. Here are some essential details to consider.
The Grammys feature four primary categories focusing on country music: best country album, best country solo performance, best country duo/group performance, and best country song, which honors the songwriters. Each of these categories nominates five works for consideration.
In these major country music categories, Beyoncé, Shaboozey, and Post Malone are competing, with works nominated for best country album such as Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter,” Shaboozey’s “Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going,” and Post Malone’s “F-1 Trillion.” Although they have each submitted their works, nomination is not guaranteed, particularly as they also vie for recognition in pop, R&B, and Americana categories.
Within the country song category, Beyoncé’s “Texas Hold ‘Em” has been submitted, alongside “16 Carriages,” which has been put forward for best country solo performance, while her duet with Miley Cyrus, “Il Most Wanted,” has been nominated for best country duo/group performance. Shaboozey’s nominations include “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” for both country song and solo performance categories, and “My Fault,” a collaboration with Noah Cyrus, is nominated for best duo/group performance. Additionally, Post Malone’s “I Had Some Help,” featuring Wallen, is nominated for both the country song and duo/group performance categories, with his solo work “Yours” also submitted.
They are likely up against renowned nominees for best country album from the 2024 Country Music Association Awards, including Luke Combs’ “Fathers & Sons,” Cody Johnson’s “Leather,” Kacey Musgraves’ “Deeper Well,” and Chris Stapleton’s “Higher,” along with the standout album “Whirlwind” by Lainey Wilson.
As for Beyoncé’s chances of receiving a Grammy nomination within the country categories, it is important to note that she was not nominated for “Cowboy Carter” at the 2024 CMAs, a decision criticized by several in the industry, including country artist Mickey Guyton. This raises the question of whether a similar outcome might occur at the Grammys. Guyton noted that to gain acceptance in the country music scene, artists often need to make an effort to connect with the community in Nashville—a factor that might put Beyoncé at a disadvantage in the eyes of Grammy voters.
If Beyoncé secures a nomination for best country album, she will join Guyton as only the second Black artist recognized in this category. Country musician BRELAND, who has voting rights for both CMA and Grammy awards, emphasized the importance of relational dynamics in Nashville’s country music community. He noted that Post Malone’s efforts to integrate himself into the local culture likely contributed to his recognition, while Shaboozey’s appearances at key events have also been beneficial. Beyoncé’s absence in Nashville may have affected her chances as well, but BRELAND expresses optimism that Grammy voters may respond favorably to her groundbreaking contributions to country music.
According to music writer Maura Johnston, despite Beyoncé’s high profile, she might face challenges due to her stature, as well as the historical lack of acknowledgment for Black artists in country categories. Johnston asserted that Beyoncé should achieve a nomination given “Cowboy Carter’s” artistic significance but acknowledged the biases in the country music industry. On the other hand, she suggested that Grammy voters might deliberately award nominations to Beyoncé to rectify the CMAs’ previous oversight.
Considering Post Malone’s prospects, Johnston suggested that he might have the strongest chances among the three artists, especially due to his popularity on country radio. His collaborations with notable country artists place him in a favorable position for nominations, particularly under categories that do not involve Morgan Wallen, whose past controversies may affect his recognition negatively.
Regarding Shaboozey, his work may not only earn him a nomination based on his album but more likely recognize his significant single “A Bar Song (Tipsy).” Johnston highlighted that this song builds on the modern influences of previous hits like Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road,” making it a cross-genre triumph. Shaboozey’s success as the first male Black artist to top the country charts signals radio’s acceptance, which might bode well for his chances at the Grammy Awards.