- Written by Jared Evits
- bbc news beat
image source, lloyd hughes
Kezia, Jess, Demi and Jade (L-R) are all individual country music artists who came together for a performance
“Okay, I'm ready. Drop new music.”
As millions tuned in to the Super Bowl to watch the Kansas City Chiefs win, Usher on roller skates, and the latest chapter in Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's love story, BeyHive. It was Beyoncé's announcement that caused a stir.
The second part of her Renaissance project is underway, and she has released two singles soon, giving us a hint at its direction.
“Texas Hold'em” and “16 Carriage” are both country songs, hinting that the entire album, due out next month, will also be country – a first for Beyoncé.
“There's this stereotype that it's all line dancing and cowboys” in the genre, British country artist Kezia Gill told BBC Newsbeat.
But she believes that if anyone can change that, it should be someone with as much star power as Beyoncé.
“Having a big name artist like Beyoncé bring country music to the world opens the floodgates for us,” Kezia says.
The Derby-born singer feels Beyoncé's presence makes the genre “accessible to everyone”.
“What's really funny is that so many people listen to it and think Beyoncé just invented this thing.
“But if it can bring in a whole generation, that would be great.”
image source, Getty Images
Beyoncé wore a white cowboy hat to the 2024 Grammy Awards, which could signal a new musical direction
Beyoncé's announcement comes shortly after Lana Del Rey confirmed in early February that she was working on her first country album, Lasso.
Another UK-based artist, Jess Thristan, feels that having prominent female artists release country music is key to growing the genre, especially for women looking to break out.
Taylor Swift's 2008 country-pop album Fearless is credited with making the genre more accessible to young people.
Her re-recorded version of 'Fearless (Taylor's Version)' is currently number one on the UK's Official Country Artists Album Chart, but in general Jess believes the genre is 'very typical. I feel that it is male-dominated.
“The UK has an incredible talent pool. [upcoming] female country artist.
“I think we're trying to break the stereotype and mold of the traditional male country artist and show people what women are doing.
“If you hear Beyoncé and Lana's new song and think, 'This has released something inside of me,' please go to a British country show,” says the Halifax native. says Jess.
“A dream is about acceptance.”
The Independent's music editor Roisin O'Connor believes Beyoncé's new song could be a “tipping point” for country music.
“Given Beyoncé's status as one of the greatest artists on the planet, this has the potential to completely involve the UK in this country,” she says.
“I think you could say it’s the final frontier, and it’s probably the only genre that Britain hasn’t fully grasped yet.
“There are a lot of fans of country music in the UK, but I don’t think country music is heard that often in terms of radio play.”
Jess feels it's 'hugely important' for aspiring female artists to see Lana Del Rey, Taylor Swift and Beyoncé release songs
Roisin feels country music has a problem with being “very insular.”
Since the release of Beyoncé's new song, a radio station in Oklahoma initially refused to play the song, but that decision was later reversed.
And this isn't the first time the American singer has faced resistance after releasing a country song.
“Daddy Lessons,” from his 2016 album Lemonade, was submitted to the Country Grammys, but was ultimately rejected by the Recording Academy.
“The industry has had a historical problem of not welcoming or recognizing Black artists,” Roisin said.
“We also had a little bit of an issue with women and the stereotypes of what a female country artist should be.
“For me, this is Beyoncé relinquishing her claim. She grew up in one of the capitals of country music.” [Houston, Texas]So I have as much right to make a country album as anyone. ”
Kezia feels that her “ultimate dream is for this genre to be accepted in the UK”.
“There's this horrible habit of people saying 'country' or 'British country',” she says.
“This isn't British country. There's no British pop, there's no British jazz. Just jazz and pop and just country.”
And when it comes to stereotypes about line dancing and cowboys, she says that's not the case at all. “It's a story.”
“I think being accepted will allow me to play.” [festivals] Instead of being on the country stage, we’re just being on the main stage,” she says.
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