Jelly Roll sparks debate as he comments on Beyonce's CMA snub: 'Gatekeeping a genre they didn’t create'
LOS ANGELES, CALFORNIA: Country artist Jelly Roll stirred online discourse with comments about Beyonce’s 'Cowboy Carter' album during a January 3 appearance on the 'Flagrant' podcast.
While reflecting on the 2024 Country Music Awards (CMA) snub of Beyonce’s groundbreaking album, he acknowledged its impact but stopped short of declaring it CMA-worthy.
Jelly Roll’s comments on 'Cowboy Carter' and Beyonce’s CMA snub
"I think the body of art was incredible," Jelly Roll said, referencing Cowboy Carter. "There’s no denying it."
He continued, "I always take all the politics out of it before I talk about those. Man this is a slippery slope too… The record was good. I don’t know if it was Beyonce’s best record, you know what I mean, it didn’t make me feel the way RENAISSANCE made me feel as a full body of work, but there was two or three songs on there that I thought could be ‘Country Song of the Year’ for sure.”
He further remarked that Nashville CMA voters may not fully grasp the album’s significance, likening its reception to a big TikTok moment. "For them it (Cowboy Carter) was more of like a big TikTok moment, the Texas Hold Em song.”
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He also noted, “What she did with Jolene was just unbelievable, and how much Dolly (Parton) loved it, to me, that’s the real tale. If Dolly loves it, it’s a big deal.”
Jelly Roll's remarks spark mixed reactions online
Fans of Beyonce, particularly the BeyHive, were vocal about their disappointment. Many felt that Jelly Roll was “gatekeeping a genre they didn’t create” and accused him of being overly cautious in his statements.
One fan commented on Instagram, “Mayonnaise ppl always defend each other! We don’t! But, good thing is, we don’t need to sit at their table! We are the table!”
The exclusion of 'Cowboy Carter' from the CMA nominations has revived tensions about inclusivity within country music, with some pointing out a history of snubs. Beyonce herself faced backlash in 2016 when she performed with the Chicks (formerly the Dixie Chicks) at the CMAs.
One fan wrote, “It would be world-changing if OUR people stuck together like they do,” expressing frustration at perceived double standards within the genre.
Meanwhile, others sided with Jelly Roll, agreeing with his critique of Cowboy Carter’s limited appeal. A fan noted, “I agree with him. 2-3 songs best was good but I always felt that the album could’ve been better. They probably tryna see if she will stick with country for a while or will she jump back to her norm.”
“He makes sense,” another user said, while others speculated that his remarks might prompt a reevaluation of Beyonce’s contributions to country music.
Another wrote, “This convo will help the album watch. They will go back and do her right. Creating a body of work takes time effort energy etc plus she's a wife and mother .Thats a lot! She deserves way more credit. But I see it coming after this conversation because people listen 2 Jelly he's bonafide in that realm.”
Beyonce’s 'Cowboy Carter' snubbed at CMAs despite record-breaking success
Beyonce’s 'Cowboy Carter', a groundbreaking album that marked her foray into country music, did not receive a single nomination at the 2024 Country Music Awards (CMAs). This snub has sparked debates about inclusivity in the genre, especially considering the album’s historical achievements.
While Morgan Wallen and Lainey Wilson took home the coveted Entertainer and Female Vocalist of the Year awards respectively, and Chris Stapleton won Male Vocalist of the Year, Beyonce's absence from the nominations left many fans and critics questioning the CMA’s criteria.
Cody Johnson won Album of the Year for Leather, while Stapleton and Dan Wilson’s White Horse claimed Song of the Year.
Despite the uproar, Beyonce has been clear about her vision for the project, refusing to label 'Cowboy Carter' strictly as a country album. “It’s a Beyonce album,” she stated.
'Cowboy Carter' made history as the first album by a Black woman to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. Its lead single, Texas Hold Em, also topped Billboard’s Country Song Chart and the all-genre Hot 100 Chart, solidifying its widespread appeal and critical acclaim.
