We’ve Entered Country Music’s Pop Star Era

[@brewster-music]

I feel Post Malone has never really been 100% genre centric. Rock, Rap, Pop, folk etc. he’s always been a mixed bag. Really looking forward to his country album.

[@Number1hunterhayesfa]

Post Malone gives big Elvis vibes to me in that he just wants to make whatever type of music he wants to.

[@PositivelyPessimistic42]

Post is whatever tf he wants to be 😂

[@mandoz353]

The same can be said for Lana Del Rey. She’s covered every genre including country folk already.

[@mileyyyy5]

js u ig

[@Sweetpea3051]

He gives an amazing show. One of the best I’ve seen. He’s got heart,

[@MaryKJones12]

I don’t think the non country crowd understands how difficult it is to be played on country radio. If you look at the biggest streaming artists (Tyler, Zach, Kacey, etc). They are huge streaming artists and critically acclaimed but you could listen to a country station for 24 hours straight and not hear one of their songs.

[@LD-tn6ff]

That’s how it is for most musical genres, including pop…

[@empressnylani4134]

Define country? What makes country? 🤔 Furthermore, why can't artists mix genres? I'm trying to figure out these rules you're talking about.

[@talunt]

They play on my local radio

[@MaryKJones12]

@@LD-tn6ffvery true which is why I don’t agree with the outcry if Beyoncé isn’t played on country radio. I think streaming numbers right now are much more telling of what is popular with folks. I can’t even tell you the last time I purposely listened to radio.

[@MaryKJones12]

@@empressnylani4134the argument isn’t that they can’t experiment more just a conversation on why I will not be shocked at all if Beyoncé is not played on country radio. My favorite country artists are rarely played on top 40 country radio. I doubt Beyoncé will be any different. Especially as an over 40 year old woman… they wouldn’t even play Loretta Lynn or Dolly Parton when they put out new music. I doubt Beyoncé will be any different for that part of the industry.

[@Shady_Belle]

Miley Cyrus needs to do a country album! She has the background and the voice, and I mean Dolly Parton is literally her godmother. I will be forever waiting lol

[@reenakemp9132]

The Climb and that era was awful though, her pop stuff is definitely her bread and butter.

[@lourdesmariasanchez8388]

@@reenakemp9132 With this comment I can definitively say that you have not listened to Miley at all. Have you REALLY heard her sing? Her voice is incredibly rich, DISTINCTIVE and very versatile, plus The Climb and all the music she made in her early years, she didn't make it like Miley (she didn't write it to begin with), she made it like Hannah Montana, and all that music was Pop. Apart from her Bangerz era (Wrecking Ball), she did it the way she did it to get away from her role as Hannah and so that people wouldn't see her as her all her life. Miley has the perfect voice to sing country (she grew up in the country scene, for God's sake) and I hope that one day she decides to give us the public a full album, as it should be. P.S. The Climb is beautiful, I don't know what you're talking about

[@user-gp9es3rd3e]

Oh god, yes. A Miley country would slap

[@reenakemp9132]

@@lourdesmariasanchez8388 1) The Climb is awful, I stand by what I say. 2) Miley does have an amazing voice. It's perfect for pop. Flowers was amazing. 3) did I mention how awful the Climb was..

[@amyswenson1706]

Check out younger now

[@literallylotro]

I think "Daddy Lessons" is one of Beyoncé's best songs so I'm excited to see what a country album of hers will be like. I'm also really excited for a Lana country album. This is an unpopular opinion but I actually prefer her newer, folk/Americana albums like Blue Banisters and Chemtrails Over the Country Club over her old albums like Born to Die, so I can't wait to see what Lasso will be like.

[@purplew93]

Agreed! Lana has been heading this way for a long time. Love her song with Nikki Lane (“Breaking Up Slowly”) on Chemtrails.

[@Mf7d89]

She’s has the perfect voice for country😊

[@emmahaven3164]

I think the big thing with Beyoncé doing country is that she seems to be doing it right. Having Rhiannon Giddens play the banjos on some tracks and shouting her out is just beautiful to see. That woman has been deserving of the world and most mainstream country people don't even know who she is. If it takes a giant mega star like beyoncé for her to get her dues, I'm all for it!

[@spacetrigg]

Doesn’t matter who is playing banjo when the track sounds like the Lumineers. Glad Giddens is getting some exposure, but Texas Hold ‘Em is a really weak song and a waste of both women’s talent

[@karynmaddox9397]

Didn't know Rhiannon Giddens was in on that. I have to go listen now.

[@meredithfritz3386]

@@spacetriggcouldn’t agree more. When I first heard Texas Hold ‘Em, I thought ‘Lumineers’ - which is fine, it’s just not for me. If we could more tracks like ‘Daddy Lessons’ tho….👌

[@Jf1D]

@@meredithfritz3386 Listen to 16 Carriages by Bey

[@MondezDurden]

When daddy's lessons first came out lots of people I know didn't like it. But it grew on people. Good music can be a earworm. I didn't like Texas hold'em when I first heard it. But I have listened to it multiple times today. She has a beautiful voice. Not a voice you would expect on country songs and her songs really are more infused with country elements but it's still beautiful. I think it's just different. But country radio has been playing crap country rap for years. And that mess is horrible! So, I think it's good to see artist from other genres tipping their toes

[@nasanoir310]

I find 16 Carriages to be a much more interesting song than Texas Hold 'Em. While I do think that pop stars going country has its pros and cons, it is really cool to see that country music is at least alive and diverse now, which is more than we can say for the majority of the 2010s. I guess I'm here for it, is all I can say.

[@sherrythomas3028]

I'm over The Country Music Gatekeeping. Post, Beyoncé, Lana sounds more country than what's on the radio right now. I also like that they don't use snap tracks. At least they won't be singing about Applebee's.

[@GradySmith]

Okay, but I feel like I'm in my least gatekeepy era ever! I liked these songs more than I thought I would.

[@sherrythomas3028]

@@GradySmith lol I didn't mean you😁😉. I mean Radio. But definitely agree. You are the least Gatekeeper of them all 🙂

[@charlesdenial]

Amen!

[@Santiago-in1xf]

@@GradySmith You are def less gatekeepy... I've seen your videos on Florida Georgia Line/Kane re what's wrong with country. I've been waiting for this video to see what you thought. I'm a fan of the country artists who have R&B like pipes (Faith Hill, Reba, Sam Hunt, Brett Young, etc) so the two songs are my kind of country. Hot take: Till You Love Me by Reba is an R&B song. It reminds me of 80s Patti Labelle and her song If Only You Knew.

[@pooksmagoo6521]

There are plenty of great country artist out there, the problem is the music industry only wants to promote 10 artist and keeps using those same people in EVERY genre. It’s redundant and ridiculous.

[@klu5301]

I saw Lana Del Rey on her most recent tour supporting her Ocean Blvd album and the show was very ‘Country themed’. She did some country covers during the show and it was really great! She did tell her fans in early 2020 she was working on a country album so I’m not surprised her album ‘Lasso’ will be country. I’m excited for it!

[@NoCoverCharge]

It’s another Urban cowboy moment that hopefully passes real real real fast

[@iAvrilFan1]

I love it when pop stars make country influenced songs. "Don't Tell Me" by Madonna from 2000 is still one of my favorite songs of all time because it mixes country and electronica together. Such a cool, unique and different sound!

[@paullopez2021]

For the longest time, I thought Sheryl Crow sung that song! What Madonna did on that song is a huge inspiration for me w this drill/pop/folk/dancehall song I’ve been working on since 2022.

[@LD-tn6ff]

Check out Kylie Minogues “golden” album. You’ll love it!

[@garysprengel5963]

The beginning of "Texas Hold 'Em" totally reminds me of "Don't Tell Me."

[@K.Angelina]

As a poc country fan I’m interested to see what Beyoncé will do with this record. But at the same time I’m seeing people already claiming Beyoncé as a savior of country and someone who’s bringing country music back to black people. Also seeing how she might be the first black woman to go #1 on the billboard country charts. It’s exciting but I can’t help but feel bad for all the tried and true black country artists and poc country artists in general who have been fighting for a spot in country spaces. Beyoncé just comes in and surpasses them because she’s a big name and has the support of non country fans who don’t care about the genre unless Beyoncé is involved. Mickey Guyton, Chapel Heart, Yola, Brittney Spencer should have bigger names in country spaces than Beyoncé. People are saying this will bring new eyes to black country artists and to country music in general. But will these new eyes stick around once Beyoncè is done with this album cycle?

[@bookbelle5475]

Ok, but this is everything I've been thinking written out. I feel like my feelongs about the Beyonce coutnry album dont even have to do with Beyonce, but more with the response of folks l

[@whatisalaganja]

Actually, I think Beyoncé could have the opposite effect. Poc country artists aren’t commercially successful because of market demographics. If Beyoncé can broaden the market, poc country artists would benefit. And Beyoncé always tries to lift those around her, so hopefully she’ll use her platform to promote poc artists already in the genre.

[@Santiago-in1xf]

@@whatisalaganja Agreed. If the Act I album is precedent, her "tide" will raise all boats. People like to talk about the number of writers with Beyonce songs. Some of that is due to samples, she locks down the stuff in advance so everyone gets PAID. We hear that the album is already done. We know that Justin Schipper (ACM nominee steel pedal) is on 16 Carriages and Rhiannon Giddens (banjo historian and folk artist) was on Texas Hold Em. Both of them are country people. I hope she has a cross section of country folk who helped with the album.

[@LD-tn6ff]

But this happens across all genres of music. The best artists aren’t necessarily the most recognized by the masses

[@MaryKJones12]

Justice for Yola!! What an incredible artist.

[@imgooley]

Americana legend Rhiannon Giddens plays the banjo on Texas Holdem which is what sells me on that one

[@artaxAF]

Lana is one of my favorite modern artists. Really looking forward to Lasso.

[@rachelhamm1843]

I thought Beyoncé’s two songs sounded far more “country” than most female artists on the radio currently.

[@CrazyForCountryMusic]

Not at all😂

[@newhorizonsforfifty2833]

That's why people are mad about her doing a country album--they're mad that a black artist will be better at it. It's a story as old as the hills. But for me, Beyonce releasing this album and then the rumored rock album ("pour some sugar on me honey, too") will solidify her as an AMERICAN artist.

[@blackswany5539]

@@newhorizonsforfifty2833 I don’t think Beyoncé of all people will do it justice 😂

[@AmiliaCaraMia]

@@newhorizonsforfifty2833oh my god stop with the race hustling.

[@desixox]

@@AmiliaCaraMiay’all started it 🤣

[@comfymumphy]

And it's still more country than the majority of pop country right now

[@brandondrake69]

I have hope that posty album could be really good. My favorite songs that he’s put out are feeling Whitney and stay which are both slower guitar based ballads. So if the album is like that I’ll be all over it

[@victorinocroix1415]

did you forget about country in the nineties when it was basically pop music too

[@taylorowen3191]

I think it 's weird how much people are knit-picking what justifies Beyonce's new songs as country or not. I think insinuating that it's not "real" country music just because it's not made with the mainstream "Nashville" scene in mind is kind of strange in my opinion. Black people created country so I don't understand why Beyonce's take on it is calling for so much dispute when she totally has all the instrumentation there and featuring musicians that have gone unnoticed in the genre for so long.

[@Angel-ts8rc]

Thank you!🙌so much judgement about her music and we only have two tracks! It makes sense this would be act 2 in her renaissance work.

[@WElppp]

It’s all just nit-picky/gate-keepy bs

[@pooksmagoo6521]

I hate it because it’s a cash grab on her part. She has never shown interest in country except right now while it’s popular. I personally can’t stand Beyoncé and wish she would stay in her own lane, And allow woman who actually like and play country music to shine.

[@Jdacosta1038]

Can’t deny that black Americans got shut out of country music and have had massive influence one the genre including inventing the banjo, but I don’t understand how they could be the sole inventors of it. The guitar came from Mexico via Spain, the fiddle from England/Scotland/Ireland, and the mandolin is from Italy. Did these immigrant groups just shove these instruments up and down their asses until black Americans showed them how to use them?

[@Ariesguy41499]

@@Jdacosta1038Got a point

[@superman1081]

Let me mention something that we all should know... Country Music, Blues, R &R, Bluegrass and Jazz are all derivative of the music sung by the slaves in early American history. So, this is really a homecoming for any black music artist who wishes to make a country Album.

[@DirtyD07]

listened to both songs earlier today. I think these are some of the "lighter" songs before the other songs really hit more of a true country sound. Like she's slowing turning up the heat and easing us into it

[@robbiduncan9823]

Well, I think another important aspect of this topic is how hegemonic the country music is. Beyoncés turn into country music democratizes the genre and its elements for people who often feel excluded from the genre.

[@jlee902]

I feel like the reason why Texas hold em doesn't have a huge chorus and stays chill throughout the song is because it'll probably transition to another song on the album. On the first renaissance album, most of the songs transitioned into each other. Maybe the following songs will be "bigger" and "countrier". Texas hold em kinda sounds like an intro track... I saw someone say it sounds like opening to a sitcom. I'm really hoping for the "daddy lessons" style country on the album. Really hoping that these two singles are just teasers to hold us over.

[@SusannahWallace]

I think Beyoncé’s new songs are totally country! Certainly a hell of a lot more than a lot of popular country atm

[@GradySmith]

Yeah, if the argument people make is "These aren't country enough for radio," then I find that silly given everything else that plays there. In the broader context of all country (from Turnpike Trouabours to Walker Hayes) I'd still say they're way on the poppier end, but they're also sounding good, which is really all that matters to me.

[@Kahscho]

Texas Hold 'Em sounds like a pop song with a little bit of banjo. Does wearing a cowboy hat make it country? The whole genre of pop country has heavily diluted any country features to focus on pop.

[@LowSlungBadBitch]

@@Kahscho country pop is not a thing? Or you cannot comprehend it. You can mix genres.

[@Habxxn04]

@@Kahschothis brain dead one liner about the hat is so deeply embarrassing for you people. She is a southern country woman from texas who’s family has exclusively lived in the south since their forced arrival on the land due to slavery. Her dna makes her country, her southern accent makes her country, her culture makes her country, and her ethnicity as a creole and African American woman makes her country. You look insane trying to strip her of her identity especially in this regard as her ancestors are the ones that made the genre you believe you have some hold on. Y’all went from bullying her for her accent and country clothing in her teens to now attempting strip her of her identity. Get a grip. You are nobody to determine what her art is and who she is.

[@Kahscho]

@spacebar9733. There are artists who mix genres (Sturgill, Lyle Lovett, Stapleton). But pop country is really more of a commercial product more than an effort to make anything original or authentic.

[@tendraftsdeep]

Fun facts, I'm seeing good comments asking for a video about Toby Keith. Remember that Sting crossed over into country back in late 90's with a song he wrote that became big duet on country charts with Toby, "I'm So Happy That I Can't Stop Crying".

[@thezenlife65]

Grady, you are so good at explaining country music. I appreciate it. Keep it up :)

[@bendurand7212]

I love the videos Grady. Keep up the good work. 🔥🔥🔥

[@terricunningham6810]

me too

[@DPRyan-vd5pp]

Country is popular because of Morgan Wallen and Hardy ….and everyone watching Yellowstone is getting that country vibe! Native Texan here…always been country forever and ever, amen.

[@JohnnyReb2000]

True on the rise of country, but at least the Yellowstone meant that independent musicians started getting well earned recognition on a larger scale due to the soundtrack including numerous songs from that area of the current scene. On the other hand those of us who love country music are have to queue "I was Country when Country Wasn't Cool", to distinguish us from the bandwagon.

[@meredithfritz3386]

Texas Forever 🏈

[@engardegus6530]

I love Hardy but Zach Bryan and Tyler Childers are WAYYYY more popular rn and have a lot more to do with the current mass popularity of country

[@LowSlungBadBitch]

I think it’s an astrological thing. We had this folk/country thing a while ago. It’s making its rounds again. Im most exited for the fashion trends. Hopefully we get to be cringey again.

[@edjlxrd]

I'm a huge Post Malone fan and he's been teasing a country album since he first got started in music. He's been spotted regularly wearing all sorts of T-Shirts like Colter Wall and Zack Bryan and plenty of others. Yeah he was born in New York but he takes a lot of pride in being from Texas. The man's got lots of trucks, a big place in the mountains and some of the coolest looking boots and cowboy hats that I've seen anybody wear. I'm so stoked for this album.

[@kyledawson1657]

If you listened to Lemonade then you know a Beyonce country album is going to be amazing. Post Malone too.

[@xvxv711]

Unfortunately some of these pop people come in and do country better than country artists do

[@johnniewilliamswilkey]

Talk about it!

[@pooksmagoo6521]

O not true. You must listen only to the radio. There is great country music out there is the industry would give them a chance then we would have to recycle the same 10 artists in every genre

[@dusty_dale]

😂😂😂

[@calupmusic]

hi, I've been a viewer of your vids for a while now. and while country isnt my preferred genre by any means, i find your insight into the genre fascinating. its helped put me onto a lot of great stuff from it, and i'm very excited for both the Beyonce and Lana del Rey records upcoming :)

[@juliemaealbrecht]

I appreciate your thoughts on this. I do think that country radio could loosen up and let itself evolve a bit and it would be more interesting. Seems like we all lose when we just fight over authenticity and who is more country. Maybe Beyonce could be the bridge that brings some people over to Kelsea and Lainey. Then next they're listening to Luke Combs and Kip Moore. I've also heard that Beyonce's album is part of a trilogy that she's doing showcasing Black people's contributions to music history. Renaissance was house music, this is country and then maybe she'll do rock. Personally, I welcome it. More country for everyone!

[@friedawells6860]

I am so excited for Lana's country album! I feel like her Blue Bannisters era was very country, but maybe more in terms of aesthetic than in terms of sound.

[@bluewescott4631]

Totally agree about Blue Banisters. It’s sonically not quite enough to be country, but the aesthetics push it there I feel.

[@frengtterma4102]

Chemtrails actually was her country album I recommend songs like wild at heart and breaking up slowly

[@Angel-ts8rc]

She has blues/country music. Check out her lizzy grant era and unreleased stuff!

[@friedawells6860]

@@Angel-ts8rc Oooo I will. Lana is one of those artists where you have to dig through KZbin and other places to find her best songs because they are impossible to find on streaming platforms XD

[@Angel-ts8rc]

@@friedawells6860 yeah some music can be hard to find. Wild one, i talk to Jesus, on our way, pawn shop blues, for k part 2 demo, are some of her unreleased bluesy/country songs that I can think of that should be available on KZbin. She did a country concert with her producer you can find on KZbin by searching “Lana del rey ally coalition show”. And she sung live what might be outtake from chemtrails with Nikki Lane called “prettiest girl in country music” you can also find on KZbin too.

[@alexandriaerickson9821]

I think Lana could really bring back that classic country vibe, and I’m here for it!

[@LowSlungBadBitch]

Her and Post Malone

[@gidget1234]

I hope she does, she's got a Patsy Cline aura about her. I'd love to hear her songwriting combined with classic country instrumentation. She's the only one out of the three that I'm actually looking forward too. Beyonce has a really strong voice, but the song I listened to is very much pop country, and I've never really cared for Post Malone.

[@Angel-ts8rc]

She already has blues/country music, check out her Lizzy grant era and unreleased stuff!

[@CSPaffy]

If pop music wants to wear a cowboy hat than they can go right ahead, but apparently they still haven't figured out the genre.

[@JustinRamelMusic]

Beyoncé is making country music to open the doors for the many black women who deserve a place in the genre

[@pooksmagoo6521]

She is standing in the door way !! She is blocking the path and taking their space. They are only going to allow maybe 10 back woman in country music and she is claiming her spot and paycheck in that lineup. Let’s not think she is doing this to be benevolent.

[@JustinRamelMusic]

@@pooksmagoo6521 wrong! You obviously didn’t see the report about the rise in streams/searches for black country artists after the release of Texas Hold Em’. Numbers don’t lie, but you haters will always make up something to be miserable about! Stay mad and keep watching.

[@Lane2268]

The doors have been open since the 30's the problem is how people choose to want to change the genre, sorry I am not there and I have a shit load of black rodeo cowboys that say the same, i want a vibrato run in country about as much as an exlax run in a movie theatre.

[@nikoslykos6050]

This reminds me of when Madonna released her “country-inspired” album back in 2000.

[@emilygardner]

I saw that Young Gravy is doing a country album too. He said he worked with Shania, Zach Brown, and Hardy

[@LowSlungBadBitch]

Oh gosh I love him 🥹🫶🏾

[@smsnyn]

What are your thoughts on Lady Gaga’s Joanne? A good pop album with country elements and inspiration?

[@hesjustclaude]

As a Country music enthusiast AND Pop music enthusiast separately, I am excited and anxious for this moment in culture. I used to joke “I love country and I love pop, but I hate pop country”. And that is being severely challenged for me more and more as I observe the ways this cultural melding between genres is happening.

[@rubyromaine3911]

I personally think country music has been in a slump the last few years and this could reinvigorate the industry. If not, it’ll certainly be entertaining!

[@cjohnson033]

I like your coverage of this, thanks !

[@yuriig4691]

The whole point of the RENAISSANCE is reclaiming genres that black people made, House, Country and Rock. thats why theres 3 acts.

[@mas4583]

Dude had a narrative to push that’s y he didn’t do further research into y she’s doing a country album

[@johnreed5242]

Reclaiming? No race should "claim" a music genre. I think thats a pretty racist ideal on Beyonces part.

[@mas4583]

@@johnreed5242 of course you think that

[@johnreed5242]

@@mas4583 I'm literally saying that any genre of music shouldn't be "reclaimed" by any particular race because music is inclusive and all races can contribute to it. oF cOuRsE yOu tHiNk tHaT

[@thearnorianruby4681]

Yuri, go away, jackass.

[@dahomey2001]

Beyoncé is not trying to follow a trend She wants to make a statement, she wants to reclaim the genres her black ancestors created (act I with house, act II country and Aact III will be rock) Don't put her in the same box with the other chart obsessed artists.

[@LowSlungBadBitch]

It is a trend, she just saw it coming.

[@BishopWalters12]

LOL

[@Angel-ts8rc]

Yeah this was planned for her years ago

[@WElppp]

@@BishopWalters12what’s funny?

[@BishopWalters12]

@@WElppp The OP and people like you, little lady.

[@nickel8412]

Thank you for the intelligent, thoughtful discourse on artist going from pop to country. Could you please make a video on why there isn’t an issue when country singers make music in other genres like pop and rock or hip hop? That’s been happening for decades. 12:54

[@sethgraham5508]

I think a Lana Del Rey country album makes a lot more sense then a Beyoncé country album

[@calupmusic]

why is that? you should check out Daddy Lessons of off Beyonce's Lemonade, while not fully country its very country inspired!

[@reenakemp9132]

So a country album from a girl from NYC makes more sense to you than a woman from the heart of Texas making one? OK, lol.. explain...

[@summerraine3622]

Beyonce is from Texas and she had a country infused song on her 2016 album "Lemonade". Beyonce making a country album makes the same amount of sense as someone like Miley Cyrus doing it.

[@btonyh5878]

Beyoncé is actually from Texas and has made country influenced music before(even before Lemonade)

[@sethgraham5508]

@@calupmusic because I really don’t care for Beyoncé. I’ll check it out!

[@AndrewMurphy-t9f]

Country music took 5 steps forward and now it’s 5 steps back again. Wake me up when this pop crossover is over.

[@millissabledsoe]

Beyonce’s Texas hold ‘em is like Achy Breaky heart. Turn the channel FAST!

[@Elway07-o4s]

The elephant in the room is that mainstream country is Republican and performative patriotism with some good ole boy party songs. Nobody gatekeeps like todays country music.

[@ReedReviews]

I've been waiting for this video! I've been think this for awhile now

[@musicandmania]

I like to say "country is more of a spirit than it is a sound" and I have to remind myself that I say that. Cause it's easy for us to gatekeep country and be biased, admittedly. But we have to remember that we also have a tendency to set an example for others when it comes to being welcoming lol (whether that's an example that we are or we aren't, is always a work in progress lol ) so. Gotta remain open minded and stick to our open door policy lol. I am a huge fan of Post Malone , he doesn't get enough credit at all. The worst thing that ever happened was realizing that Post Malones radio stuff is actually the lesser of his work, if the world knew all of the other work he's done I think it'd be a complete different conversation!! Plus I don't think Post could be put in one genre, he's a hodgepodge of genre, rightfully so ❤️ Miley is a personal favorite of mine as well and I really hope she does more country. She is deserving of anything she ever wants to do.. anyways my point is. If we can't accept the misfits and the genuine outlaws that wanna be here then what are we really doin here ❤️

[@amyswenson1706]

Beyonce has more of a claim to country than the other pop artists you mentioned with her being a Texan and all. She’s obviously not going to conform to a specific country mold but I’m excited to hear her spin on the genre

[@camcontreras1200]

Post is from Texas aswell

[@Habxxn04]

@@camcontreras1200good for him. Beyoncé is a southern country woman who’s ancestors created the genre and who’s bloodline created what has now been bastardized and called country. There is a big difference between a white man that happened to be born in texas and a southern country woman who’s family has exclusively resides in the south due to transatlantic slave trade and built up country bit by not.

[@BishopWalters12]

@@Habxxn04 LOL

[@BishopWalters12]

She's a rich girl and didn't grow up in real TX.

[@WElppp]

@@BishopWalters12What does her being rich NOW have to do with her still being country?

[@StephanieMT]

well there is a ton of people who dont think country i country anymore, so im not shocked pop is in country

[@BS-uj3ny]

Old Town Road walked so all of these projects could run

[@casandra0]

Shout out to anyone that remembers when Nelly and Tim McGraw made a song together

[@tashabatiste9177]

Over and over is a solid song 🎉

[@LowSlungBadBitch]

Agreed.

[@thearnorianruby4681]

Yeah, but I can listen to that one without feeling nauseous.

[@jeffcampbell5755]

Texas Hold'em also reminds me of Rhiannon Giddens' You Louisiana Man which I love.

[@justbeavers4789]

Post is great honestly. Hes gone on thw record of being a country friend most his life as well

[@LowSlungBadBitch]

He has country covers up on his page I think?? As an audition for a band?

[@nicksand5258]

I like the Beyoncé song, she has a rich soulful voice. Which pairs nicely with a country instrumental

[@Kahscho]

Have you heard a song with her actual voice? Everything that I've heard from her has been heavily Pitch Corrected, including the new "country" songs.

[@Tyra_Rose]

@@Kahscho have you heard her live? She has such a clear and controlled voice it’s weirdly surprising.

[@Kahscho]

So many of these pop stars use auto-tune and/or backing tracks on “live” performances that it is a bit hard to tell what is going on for any particular performance. Someone with a producer background and editing software may be able to figure it out. kzbin.info/www/bejne/p520dKSEgsR6ia8si=lBbhxLkZkQ-2MqFf. This becomes a bit like asking whether Mike McGuire can hit home runs. We know that he was juiced at least some seasons, so then everything he does becomes suspect. For Beyoncé, we know that “Texas Hold ‘Em” and a lot of her other studio tracks are Pitch-Corrected because the settings are so high that you can hear the clipped to a note effect. For live performances, is she actually singing or just turning down the settings so that the auto-tune is harder to hear?

[@johnniewilliamswilkey]

@@Kahscho dude you’re totally pointing out the wrong popstar for that. Look up any live Beyoncé performance.

[@greenluxi]

@@Kahschobut Beyoncé is known for her live vocal ability, she has one of the best trained voices in pop, you might be right for some of the others but not really Beyoncé

[@melanievp20]

I'm really enjoying beyoncé's songs. She's a fantastic vocalist and it's nice to hear her sound in a different way. I doubt the album will give a true country vibe but if it's a fun listen I'm excited. A Miley country album would be incredible, hopefully one day.

[@Habxxn04]

Her other country song daddy lessons has a very traditional country sound and she is well known for sticking to the foundation of the genres she executes. It will no doubt have a verity of different sub genres that relate to her Louisiana creole country side but will also have a very traditional Texan country sound given how much she loves representing her home state.

[@westworlds]

It's pretty wild people want to say Beyonce's not country lolllll. She's always proudly repped Texas and her mom is from Louisiana. I'm gonna say with my chest that people who have an issue with her doing country have deeper issues then music. Would anyone question 16 Carriages if it was by say, Chris Stapleton? Have a feeling I know the answer.

[@juneharris2018]

Wake me up when it's over.

[@heitor9953]

why tho?

[@king_red_f3504]

Real

[@keatonrozema5787]

Dito

[@mileyyyy5]

REALL

[@LowSlungBadBitch]

More tix for meeeeee

[@aidanw9378]

I want a duet with Lana Del Rey and Charley Crockett

[@frengtterma4102]

I think she'll have a duet with dolly I saw their pics together so let's pray

[@amazingbecka1]

Country radio stations should not have to play any random song people want to hear. Texas Holdem is a fun, catchy song, but it’s about as much of a country song as “Timber” or Mackelmore’s “Cowboy Boots”. People can hear the song any time they want. Strong-arming a radio station to play a song that doesn’t fit in their genre is gross. Especially when they call you a racist if they don’t get what they want. God, it’s infuriating.

[@remuspierre7573]

Amazing Topics

[@mandoz353]

Lana Del Rey has really covered all genres at this point, she even had country influences on her first ever album that got shelved before Born to Die. She’s always experimenting with different sounds in her music and is always groundbreaking.

[@loganfisher3431]

Artists who actually appreciate and understand country are more than welcome. For example, Julien Baker is rumored to be making a country album with Torres and I would love to hear that

[@rbhe8101]

It‘s a cash grab, nothing more and nothing less. These people won’t stick around country music for long, because they aren’t really interested in country music

[@georgesnotes4968]

Lana’s been saying she’s gonna release a country album for years already!

[@LowSlungBadBitch]

Exactlyyyy she’s been waiting for this forever !!

[@TreXsJournal-Coming-Soon]

What Beyonce put out is clearly different in a very modern way. And no, it doesn't entirely sound "Y-Ite" country. But it definitely sounds true to courntry music origins.

[@TunaGroyper]

This will just send us back to 2013… pop and rap artists will release songs classified as country but not have anything country about it, it will make it big on the radio, others will see this and make songs just like them, and they will be all they will play on the radio. But good video gravy😂

[@charlesdenial]

Country never left 2013.

[@TunaGroyper]

@@charlesdenial I do see where you’re coming from… but I think you have to look at why this is happening, country had a whole underground revival. This was seen through artists like Childers, ZB, and even Turnpike, who blew up in popularity while holding onto a genuine country sound. This explosion slowly made its way into the mainstream causing the introduction from other genres. If country stayed the same as it was in 2013, where it looks like it is once again headed, then this massive growth wouldn’t have happened in the first place, which in turn is allowing it to go there once again.

[@carlose9180]

I don't think so, nowadays the country music scene is different and streaming has changed many things. It's not 2013 again

[@peterbetts858]

all that pop n rapper doing country crap done a few years back just lead to a bunch of bad reputations .nothing of substance come out of it .

[@BenitaApplebong]

Lana's interest in country seems genuine. There is a clear country influence on her album Born to Die and she has cited many country artists as inspirations since the beginning of her career. I am looking forward to her country album.

[@Sir_Austin_T_Gee]

Summertime sadness could have easily be slowed down and qualified as country, especially in 2012.

[@itsjohn-wv8en]

I hope that artists experimenting with country can inspire the next era of pop music to make a return to AC/Romantic Pop Ballads & RnB.

[@fubar5884]

Most of the deep routed salt of the earth type people who are big country music fans already have a disconnect within the genre itself. You already have a big divide between what's considered "real" country, with a lot of people believing what constantly gets replayed ad naseum on the radio is not actually country, nor is it popular, compared to things like Grand ole Opry alumni, Loretta Lynn singing coal miner's daughter, or any of the old school 1940s-60s country and 80s/90s tracks about Jukeboxes and whether or not Bubba happened to shoot one, Boot Scootin Boogies, 18 Wheelers in Moonlight, That Ain't My Trucks and Pickup Man type country. For a lot of those people, if you try and play something like Florida Georgia Line they're going to slap you, tell you to get out of the truck, and/or throw the radio out the window. When you take all of the anger that's built up to a lot of post 2000 era "modern" Pop-Country, people are immediately put off when someone from another genre looks at country music as if it's some lesser form of music they can just waltz into and be taken seriously. It gives off this weird vibe that they look at country as if all they need to do is throw on a cowboy hat, belt buckle, boots and say Ya'll and suddenly they're a country music artist and their song needs played over the airwaves. Just because Beyonce put the word Texas in the title of her song and slapped on a rhinestone cowboy hat to go with her one-piece dress with her milkers hanging out for her music video, her fans believe she now has some god given right to be played on every country music station from the Atlantic to the Pacific. What just ends up happening is most of those people who love that old style country immediately either think it's worthless junk and completely ignore it at best, or actively hate it and try to openly fight back against it at worst. What I think is most disingenuous is the ever tiresome race card getting played, which I've seen happen way too much over this Beyonce is now "country" thing. Acting like just because someone isn't white with an at least mildly sunburnt rose colored neck that they aren't allowed within 50 feet of the country music border is not only a disingenuous argument coming from a political motive backing, it's a straight lie. I mean come on... shall we name a few all time country greats who aren't white? Dobie Gray, Etta Baker, Charley Pride, OB McClinton, Lionel Richie, Tina Turner, DeFord Bailey and Hootie himself Darius Rucker. But yeah, it's *totally* just a race thing. I think the problem you have is the 'old' country music style folk who are mostly rural, mostly Southern, and view country/blues as an aspect of their cultural identity, really don't appreciate when some multi-millionare city slicker pop/rock star decides to put on a cowboy hat and pretend they also grew up poor, and had to drop out of school and work at 14 because dad died, or are the child of a coal miner from rural West Virginia, or had no running water and went to a 1-room schoolhouse, that was scuffing boots in some dive bar and riding in the bench seat of dad's truck and working the farm. They just see some pop singer rolling in because their career was either tanking and they need some fresh blood, or believe there's money to be made by co-opting country music. Again, thinking just because they put on some $25,000 Louis Vuitton cowboy hat they had their assistant buy they are somehow legit country artists and should immediately get instant and total access to this entire genre of music, its fanbase, and its radio stations. It'd be like someone thinking just because they threw on some Jordans, baggy pants and a chain and made a couple rhymes on a 4:4 beat it gives them the right to be played on hip-hop stations and unrestricted access to drop some slurs and expect red-carpet welcomes to be laid out when they go to the inner-city. One is just as ridiculous as the other.

[@Gutslinger]

Entered?? We've been in that era for nearly 20 damn years!!

[@jamiecollins32]

"Whoa, funky immediately"

[@jamesryanwigley]

I’ll actually be really into a Lana country album. It feels authentic

[@Sir_Austin_T_Gee]

Post Malone doesn’t surprise me. He’s done country off and on but not on an actual album. Lana Del Rey also doesn’t surprise me - she literally covered “Take Me Home, Country Roads” by John Denver - doesn’t get much more country than that. She also has a very noticeable “rural” SoCal accent so her being able to slide into a “country” sound shouldn’t be that hard - before anyone comes at me for saying this, all I’m saying is foreign people can pick out accents like Boston and Chicago as well as the general American accent. They have a very hard time discerning a southern accent from a SoCal accent (and it’s because a lot of the original settlers in CA came from the South).

[@LowSlungBadBitch]

She sings about country singers in 2 of her songs that I know of. American: Elvis, Bruce Springsteen The Grants: John Denver And so many of her songs and music videos reference American history or American livelihood. God bless America, National Anthem, when the world was at war, Norman f***ing Rockwell, the next best American record, sweet Carolina, ride, high by the beach, every time she mentions cherries, I can go on tbh lol. This isn’t even including any of her songs about California alone. I’ve been waiting for this from her so I’m happy she’s finally getting the perfect chance. Especially with jack antonoff that will be exciting to see what he does with this. Controversially: I love them together. He executes her visions so clearly. a lot of Lana Stan’s don’t like her healthy music :(

[@keithbell9348]

Shania Twain crossed over from country into a hybrid of country/ pop and caught some pushback for that. Garth Brooks put out a grunge rock project and caught hell for it. Taylor Smith went from country into pop and got plenty of hay bales thrown her way. I aint got no problem with Bey trying this out. I ain't got no problem with other pop stars trying it out. The question is will they make TRUE country music. That is up to each individual listener to decide for themselves. Everyone hears music differently. Plemty of country music fans absolutely LOVE Beyonce as a pop/R&B artist. But country? You heard just 2 songs. You could listen to the entire album and then decide for yourself. It could be friggin awesome or it could fall flat. But whatever the case, if you love country music, If you have a favorite country musician, If you have a favorite country song. THAT is yours to treasure. No one will take that away from you, regardless of who invades country music. Prince once said: "When I make a song and put it out there. If you enjoy it and buy it, that song no longer belongs to me, it belongs to you." Yep- do with it what you will. A REAL and TRUE devoted fan of country music isn't going to be uptight or insecure of any so called "invasion of country music". Because they KNOW what they like and they can listen to what they like whenever they like it, all the while ignoring the imitations. They ain't mad and they ain't scared of this either. That is not Beyonce's intention. And they KNOW this. Any fan who is scared or angry and insecure, is NOT a true country music fan. Because they don't trust it enough to be able to remain TRUE to itself.

[@BoyNamedSue4]

Post Malone has shown a love and respect for the genre over the years so I could see that one being good. Beyoncé didn’t really do it for me. Felt more like a pop song with country flavors. Others I’m just not familiar with enough to make a comment. For every Ray Charles, who loves the genre and takes it seriously, I feel like we get a 15 Jessica Simpson who are just trying to cash in.

[@Juicyxcouture]

African- Americans started The WHOLE GENRE OF COUNTRY MUSIC‼️

[@brewster-music]

Could you do a video on artists you think would pair well in a feature with Posty? Personally top pick is Koe Wetzel.

[@caleblafon11]

I think a Post and Koe song would be 🔥, probably could throw Hardy in there too, but that’s just my opinion.

[@billymitchell655]

Why no video on Toby Keith?

[@GradySmith]

I said for a second at the end -- I was working outta town all last week -- and I made what I could for Insta/TikTok during that time! I prob do need to do one though, but I thought the moment had maybe passed.

[@Bradferd333]

It's not (A Little) Too Late! 😅 we can be patient

[@billymitchell655]

@@Bradferd333 oh he does a great job and younger people forget he had a good career before "How do you like me now"

[@Bradferd333]

@billymitchell655 exactly, can't leave out the mullet era!

[@jaym7961]

@@GradySmith Nah do it brother, just a few words, he deserves something especially from a channel like yours that is so genuine and heartfelt. Just be honest like you always are. (I figured the lack of mention was more form you not wanting to gain views off of a tragedy). Love your channel Grady. Keep up the good work!

[@justsomerandommfer]

Country been pop after the 2000's.

[@paullopez2021]

I always thought Irreplaceable could’ve been re-worked as a country song, so I’m not surprised Beyoncé has finally gone full country.

[@countryfan523]

Sugarland did an acoustic version live. It's still on youtube.

[@tashabatiste9177]

Neyo’s demo version of the song sounded a bit more country. I really liked it

[@DakotaCruso]

I wasn’t surprised when lana said she was releasing a country album because she’s already released a folk album

[@chronometa]

We are gonna reach peak trend here real quick.

[@jking54544]

Sorry ... I'm gonna be the curmudgeon ... and agree with the last premise about this kind of shit pushing actual country stars back down the charts. We're FINALLY seeing movement away from bro country and pop country and now we're seeing MORE pop country trying to get on the charts and on the radio. Beyonce's a great talent ... I get it ... but I want my country music to actually be country music.

[@cmoneyswag]

I’ve actually been hoping we’d get a post Malone country album since that Brad Paisley cover. I feel like he gets it

[@PurpleOwl79]

MY GOD WILL MEDIA STOP SAYING THAT COUNTRY MUSIC EXCLUDES BLACK PEOPLE!? Charley Pride is one of the greatest to ever do it and is literally in the country music hall of fame. Make good music and country fans like it, it is literally that simple. Rant aside, I think it's cool that people want to get into country, perhaps not all of the people really will mean it but I don't think it hurts anything to let them try. I have been waiting for Post Malone to put out something for a while since the covers and the pictures (I mean Post Malone was literally playing beer pong with Randy Travis while Tyler Childers played in the background and Billy Strings was watching). Beyonce is Beyonce, I feel like she can do what she wants, and I am not a big fan of Lana Del Rey's but still interested to see what the album will be like.

[@based6914]

No no no no no. In the great words of Mike Wazowski, “Put that thing back where it came from or so help me!”

[@proxci4234]

Give me 3 steps Mister and you'll never see me no more

[@alanjapes1266]

Country music tradition has been put to death by the artists who pretend to be country. Hardly any come close to the traditional artists like Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson , Kris Kristofferson, Oakridge Boys, Don Gibson, Johnny Paycheck, Johnny Horton, Johnny Russell, Judds, Kitty Wells, David Frizzell, Shelly West, Holly Dunn, Ronna Reeves, Dave Dudley. Artists like these made country music what it is supposed to be. That's what makes today's country music a joke.

[@jonnybrick7473]

'I'm coming in....to disrupt country.' God Bless AJ McLean.

[@praxton]

Country has been pop for a good while now. Interstingly, Beyonce's country is more classic country than modern country is right now.

[@truegrit2011]

This is probably one of the best reviews I've heard as it relates to these particular 2 songs. Country inspired sounds much more accurate. Daddy lessons was definitely more of a country song compared to these two. However we can't shy away from the fact that a lot of country music fans are racist. We saw an element of this after the backlash the CMAs got for allowing Beyonce to perform with the Dixie Chicks on the CMAs. Unfortunately, in that particular case, this wasn't due to media hype. We actually saw real comments that country music fans posted to the CMAs for letting Beyonce perform.

[@rosegroshek1218]

You should make a video on Toby Keith, especially his early mullet era. Especially because his public memorial will be sometime soon apparently.

[@smalltowngirl420]

I am sorry Beyonce is not country. That's why I don't listen to mainstream Country anymore. Give me the classics and I Am good.

[@saltylimes9953]

I’m so here for this era

[@f-bodygarage]

I feel like Beyoncé just wants to make her mark on every genre at this point and her fanbase is gonna hype it up as if she’s doing something when the reality is she’s not. Beyoncé has a beautiful voice and has made some amazing music over the years however in the last decade? Nah. She’s been putting out low-effort garbage and riding the hype of her fanbase, she doesn’t work for anything anymore, she’s established, she’s not gonna do more than she needs to but she gets the credit as if she’s still making groundbreaking music when the reality is she’s not. I hate to bring race into it but she’s known as a powerful black female artist and it almost seems selfish of her to overshadow other black female artists who ARE country by trying to make her claim on that genre too. At this point her fanbase just goes to bat for her regardless of the quality of the music and in this day and age of pulling the race card and cancel culture I think it heavily dilutes the reality of the situation. Artists can make whichever style they want but at the end of the day if you don’t *_fit_* in the genre you don’t get to just force it in there because you think it belongs since it was made by an artist you like.

[@GrantH]

All of this hype around pop/rock singers trying to cross over into country sort of just proves that to the mainstream music press and even most novice pop music listeners, "country music" is nothing more than acoustic guitars, cliche "western" imagery, and a gimmicky twang thrown on everything.

[@remuspierre7573]

I Agree