What do Beyonce and Post Malone have in common? They’re both from Texas, U.S., and they’re both mega pop stars making a pivot to country music.
In late March, Beyonce’s latest genre-bending album, Cowboy Carter, made a huge splash in the music industry, its lead single “Texas Hold ‘Em” peaking at the top of Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart. Even the album art is distinctively country in aesthetic, featuring Beyonce clad in a patriotic, red-white-and-blue rodeo outfit while riding a horse and gripping the American flag.
Five months later, in August, the rapper and hip-pop star Post Malone, known for hit singles “White Iverson,” “Congratulations,” and “Sunflower,” published his first country album as well with F-1 Trillion. The album features guest appearances from country music heavyweights such as Dolly Parton, Tim McGraw, and Brad Paisley. Interestingly, Post Malone had appeared on Beyonce’s Cowboy Carter, perhaps foreshadowing his transition to country music.
However, on Sept. 9, when the Country Music Association (CMA) announced the nominations for the forthcoming CMA Awards, there was a conspicuous omission ? Beyonce, whose country-leaning album took the music world by storm, did not receive a single nomination. This announcement has sparked conversations on what qualifies as country music.
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1. Which two artists are mentioned as making a pivot to country music?
2. What is the name of Beyonce’s album that contributed to her move toward country music?
3. Which country music heavyweights appeared on Post Malone’s album F-1 Trillion?
4. What unexpected event occurred when the CMA Award nominations were announced?
1. Do you think collaborations between pop stars and country artists contribute to blending or reshaping music genres? Why or why not?
2. Why do you think Beyonce's album, despite its success, was omitted from the CMA nominations?
3. How do you define country music, and do you think Beyonce's album fits that definition?
4. What impact could genre-bending albums have on the evolution of the music industry?
What do Beyonce and Post Malone have in common? They’re both from Texas, U.S., and they’re both mega pop stars making a pivot to country music.
Five months later, in August, the rapper and hip-pop star Post Malone, known for hit singles “White Iverson,” “Congratulations,” and “Sunflower,” published his first country album as well with F-1 Trillion. The album features guest appearances from country music heavyweights such as Dolly Parton, Tim McGraw, and Brad Paisley. Interestingly, Post Malone had appeared on Beyonce’s Cowboy Carter, perhaps foreshadowing his transition to country music.
