Mathew Knowles, Beyoncé’s father, expressed his belief that race played a role in his daughter’s snub from the Country Music Association (CMA) nominations, despite her successful country album “Cowboy Carter.” In an interview, he explained that he was not surprised by the lack of recognition, pointing to Beyoncé’s strained history with the CMAs. He recalled her 2016 performance with the Dixie Chicks, which sparked controversy and led to backlash from parts of the country music community. Knowles claimed that the CMA never issued an apology for the negative response to her inclusion.
Knowles emphasized that the snub reflected the broader issue of racial disparity in American culture, particularly within the CMA voting process. He argued that many voters continue to be influenced by race, rather than purely judging based on talent and accomplishments. While Knowles stopped short of directly accusing voters of being racist, he noted that the lack of recognition “speaks for itself.”
Interestingly, Shaboozey, an artist featured on Beyoncé’s album, did receive nominations, including Best New Artist and Single of the Year. However, Knowles highlighted that the exclusion of his daughter from the nominations points to a persistent problem of cultural acceptance within the industry. He also mentioned the African roots of the banjo, emphasizing that country music itself has origins that trace back to Africa, which he believes underscores the irony of Beyoncé’s exclusion.
