In a surprising move, Beyoncé has announced the release of two country songs as part of her upcoming album, signaling a potential breakthrough for the genre in the UK. With her massive popularity and influence, Beyoncé has the power to open the floodgates and make country music more accessible to a wider audience. This news comes shortly after Lana Del Rey also revealed her plans for a country album, indicating a trend of prominent female artists embracing the genre.
For UK country artists like Kezia Gill and Jess Thristan, the involvement of high-profile female artists like Beyoncé and Lana Del Rey is seen as crucial in expanding the genre and breaking the stereotype of country music being male-dominated. Taylor Swift’s success in the genre with her 2008 album Fearless has already demonstrated the potential for country music to resonate with younger audiences.
The introduction of Beyoncé’s country songs could be a tipping point for this genre in the UK, according to Roisin O’Connor, the music editor at The Independent. Given Beyoncé’s immense popularity, her foray into country music could fully engage the UK audience and bridge gaps in radio play. Country music has often been considered insular and has faced issues with inclusivity, particularly in terms of acknowledging black artists and breaking stereotypes for female country artists.
However, Beyoncé’s announcement has not been without controversy. A radio station in Oklahoma initially refused to play her country songs, highlighting the industry’s historic problems with diversity and inclusion. Yet, this decision was ultimately reversed, underscoring the importance of recognizing Beyoncé’s rightful place in the country music scene, considering her upbringing in Houston, Texas, one of the heartlands of country music.
For UK country artists like Kezia Gill, the ultimate dream is the acceptance of the genre as just “country” without the need for qualifiers like “UK country.” There has been a tendency to associate country music with stereotypes like line dancing and cowboys, but the reality is that it is a genre centered around storytelling. Acceptance of country music in the UK would mean more opportunities for artists to perform on main stages, rather than being relegated to separate country stages at festivals.
Overall, Beyoncé’s venture into country music has the potential to impact the genre in the UK significantly. It could attract a new generation of listeners and challenge the stereotypes and barriers that have limited the genre’s reach. By embracing country music, influential artists like Beyoncé and Lana Del Rey can pave the way for other artists and solidify country music’s place in the UK music scene. This announcement marks an exciting and potentially transformative moment for country music in the UK.
