Slayer’s Gary Holt praises Taylor Swift but slams Beyonce as ‘overrated’ with 'marginal talent'

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Slayer's Gary Holt sparked controversy during a recent 'Scandalous Podcast' episode by discussing music icons Taylor Swift and Beyonce. 

As the longtime guitarist and songwriter for thrash metal band Exodus, Holt gave a critical review of Beyonce while praising Swift's songwriting abilities. 

One of Holt's main criticisms of Beyonce was his belief that she couldn't be considered a true songwriter due to the extensive list of co-writers credited on many of her songs.

Gary Holt extols Taylor Swift's songwriting prowess: 'She's just the biggest pop star'

During the appearance on podcast, when Holt was asked about the "Taylor Swift problem", he expressed, "I love Taylor Swift. Why all the hate? She's an extraordinarily hard worker. She's super f***ing nice to everybody, and people hate her."

He continued, "She's just the biggest pop star on Earth and more power to her." 

The metal artist emphasized that he holds no animosity towards Swift and complimented her songwriting prowess in today's pop music landscape. 

"Taylor writes everything. And so, I give her credit," Holt stated. "She's a songwriter. And some of these other people, they require massive teams of…  It’s just like a factory of songwriting. Who even knows who did what anymore when there’s like 20 names on it?"

Gary Holt says Beyonce is ‘mariginally talented’ meanwhile complimenting Taylor Swift’s songwriting prowess

Gary Holt critiques Beyonce's music talent, says 'she's marginally talented'

During the same conversation, Holt redirected his focus to Beyonce's approach to songwriting and her collaborative efforts, delivering harsh criticism. 

"Beyonce will put out a song, and there’s 30 f***ing people on it," he remarked critically. "How can 30 people write a song, all gathered together? Like you’re not a songwriter, Beyonce." 

The musician didn't mince words regarding the 32-time Grammy winner, asserting, "I think Beyonce is the most overrated talent on Earth. I think she’s marginally talented." 

Holt also took aim at Beyonce's 12-year-old daughter, Blue Ivy, who received a Grammy for her contribution to the song "Brown Skin Girl" featuring SAINt JHN and Wizkid. 

"Her daughter got a songwriting credit and a Grammy because she probably threw some f***king kindergarten rhyme on one line," he commented.

"She now has one-seventh the Grammys Prince — the greatest artist that ever was or ever will be — ever got." 

Notably, Blue Ivy was nominated for and won her first Grammy alongside her mother, Beyonce, aged 42, in 2021 for the best music video for "Brown Skin Girl."

She is credited only as an associate performer on the track, not as a songwriter, as per People.