Post Malone and Beyoncé, two superstars from different musical worlds, are making headlines with their foray into country music. Unless you live under a rock, you’ve probably heard at least one of their new hits. Beyoncé’s album Cowboy Carter debuted at Number 1 on both the Billboard 200 and the Billboard Top Country Albums charts, making her the first Black woman to do so. Several months later, Post Malone’s F-1 Trillion achieved similar success, debuting with the same stats.
But why has Post Malone’s transition into country music been celebrated, while Beyoncé’s has been met with resistance and criticism? To answer this, we need to explore music, culture, and bias within the country music community.
Post Malone’s Journey into Country
Early Career and Rise to Fame
If you’re a Post Malone fan, you’ve probably seen his early YouTube videos—some amazing, some a little cringey. Either way, it’s clear that this man has worked his way up from the bottom.
Austin Richard Post, better known as Post Malone, is adored by fans all over the world. His first single, “White Iverson,” released in 2015, didn’t make him instantly famous. However, through hard work and dedication, he climbed the ranks. Today, he boasts six No. 1 singles and over 10 Grammy nominations.
Post was introduced to music at an early age by his father and started creating his own music in high school. After moving to LA with a friend, he began making industry connections and released “White Iverson” on SoundCloud. Following a successful music video and over a million streams, he started to gain recognition. Soon after, he signed a recording contract with Republic Records and collaborated with big names like Kanye (now Ye) and Justin Bieber. He achieved mainstream success in 2018 with his album Beerbongs & Bentleys, which reached the Billboard Hot 100.
From the start, Post has been described as having a “melting pot” style, drawing inspiration from various genres. This versatility, however, hasn’t always been smooth sailing. His first release, “White Iverson,” led some to label him as a “culture vulture,” attempting to break into the hip-hop industry as a young white man adopting traditionally Black aesthetics. Think of him as an Eminem 2.0.
Despite the criticism, Post Malone has since become beloved by many for his kind-hearted, grateful, and down-to-earth demeanor.
Genuine Interest in Country
Post has expressed a genuine love of country music from a young age. When he released his country album, a tweet he posted in 2015 went viral. In it, he stated, “When I turn 30, I’m becoming a country/folk singer.”
He carved a place for himself within the country community by collaborating with country sensation Morgan Wallen on the song of the summer, “I Had Some Help.” He also gained a massive following of Swifties with his successful collaboration with Taylor Swift on her single “Fortnight.”
The Release of F-1 Trillion
On August 16, 2024, Post released his sixth studio album and first country album, F-1 Trillion. The album featured collaborations with popular country stars and legends, including Lainey Wilson, Dolly Parton, Tim McGraw, ERNEST, Hank Williams Jr., Brad Paisley, Luke Combs, Jelly Roll, Sierra Ferrell, HARDY, and Chris Stapleton.
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With young country fans and the entire Swift fan base behind him, F-1 Trillion was set up for success. Post’s lovable and relatable personality, along with his relationships in the industry, paved an easy path for him to be welcomed by the country community.
His album debuted at Number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, riding the momentum of his earlier collaboration with Morgan Wallen, which had also debuted at Number 1 with 76.4 million official U.S. streams. Post was on top of the world.
“I don’t want people to feel how I’ve felt. And I know they do. And I’m here and I’m on stage and I just want everyone to feel welcome and to feel loved. And that’s the most important thing for me.” – August 2024 Interview with CBS News.
Despite this success, when it came to awards season, Post Malone’s luck ran out. He was nominated for three CMA Awards for his collaboration “I Had Some Help” but walked away with zero wins. And at the 2025 Grammys, he was nominated for eight categories and lost every single one, setting the record for the most nominations without a win in a single night. The previous record? 17.
Beyoncé’s Attempt to Break into Country
Beyoncé’s Unquestionable Stardom
Beyoncé is a legend. With 32 Grammys, nine No. 1 hits, and countless other awards, there’s no denying her talent. So why has her foray into country music been met with backlash?
Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter rose to fame in the 1990s as part of the group Destiny’s Child. In 2003, she went solo, and her latest release, Cowboy Carter, marks her eighth No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 chart. Despite holding the title for most Grammy wins by any artist, she has never won Album of the Year.
Beyoncé’s first foray into country music began with her single “Daddy Lessons,” which she performed at the 2016 Country Music Awards. The performance was met with backlash, and any mention of it was later removed from the CMA website. Her collaboration with the Dixie Chicks, who had been recently canceled for speaking out against President George Bush, only fueled the controversy.
Cultural Bias and Backlash
Country music has evolved over the years, but it’s still clear that a traditional view persists about what a country singer should look and sound like. Beyoncé leans into her Southern roots with Cowboy Carter, trying to prove she belongs in the genre. Yet, despite her immense talent, she’s faced resistance.
Why are we okay with Post Malone and Taylor Swift switching genres, but Beyoncé gets criticized for her approach? The issue isn’t just about genre—it’s about race. Country music has often been seen as a genre “by white people, for white people,” even though it has deep roots in Southern Black culture. Beyoncé isn’t the first to face this bias; Lil Nas X experienced similar pushback with his hit “Old Town Road” which was removed from the country charts because it didn’t fit the genre’s traditional image.
The Release of Cowboy Carter
Despite being the first Black female artist to top the U.S. country charts and the Billboard Hot 100 with a country song, Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter is seen as a failed attempt to enter the country genre compared to F-1 Trillion. Even with support from country legends like Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson, she faces rejection from much of the country community.
Beyoncé is unapologetically making a statement with her album, calling out the country community’s bias against people of color. She references her 2016 CMA performance and the backlash in her opening track: “They used to say I spoke too country. Then the rejection came, said I wasn’t country ‘nough. Said I wouldn’t saddle up, but If that ain’t country, tell me, what is?” Though Beyoncé hasn’t confirmed this, it’s widely assumed.
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“It felt like Beyoncé was trying too prove herself , rather than letting the music flow naturally. And she is aware of that because she knows people love her and they will buy it.” – Redditor
“It really is just an r&b pop album with maybe 2 country sounding songs. When I was listening I was like, “Where’s the country?” – Redditor
Cowboy Carter, the first of a planned trilogy, features well-known musicians as well as lesser-known Black country artists. Beyoncé herself seems to say, “I don’t need your approval” with her statement, “This ain’t a Country album. This is a ‘Beyoncé’ album.”
Beyonce Wins Big At The 2025 Grammy Awards
Despite making history, she was completely shut out of the ACM and CMA Awards this year. Yet, the Grammys told a different story. Beyoncé won Album of the Year, Best Country Album of the Year, and Best Country Duo/Group Performance, a groundbreaking achievement that solidified her success.
The reaction to her Grammy wins? Mixed.
Some country fans were outraged, posting on forums and social media with comments like: “How did Beyoncé win a country Grammy?” and “This is a scam”.
Others, however, celebrated her win, calling it a long-overdue victory for a Black woman in country music. For many, it was particularly special that she finally won Album of the Year, a category she had lost multiple times before.
The Industry Weighs In
While some fans were vocal about their discontent, Beyoncé did have support from within the country music community.
When asked about Beyoncé’s country nominations on the red carpet, country star Lainey Wilson responded, “She’s crushin’ it.”
Meanwhile, Kacey Musgraves, who was also nominated, was accused of “scowling” when Beyoncé won. The internet ran wild with the narrative that Musgraves was bitter over the loss. However, her representative shut down the rumors, stating: “It’s a sensationalistic false narrative meant to pit two talented female artists against each other.”
Cowboy Carter makes a bold statement, one that challenges the country industry and its audience. In contrast, F-1 Trillion embraces the current country community and its top artists. Post Malone’s appeal lies in his relatability, his ability to connect with fans through his struggles, and his appreciation for his success. Beyoncé’s approach, on the other hand, seems more about proving her abilities and sending a message. From the beginning, the country community seemed resistant to her, perhaps because she didn’t relate to them in the same way Post Malone did.
Ultimately, Post Malone’s consistent love and appreciation for the country community earned him a warm welcome. Beyoncé, by taking a stand and challenging the industry’s roots and biases, invited controversy. Nobody likes being told, “I don’t care what you think,” and that’s likely what Beyoncé is facing with her “not country” album.
At the Grammys, their fates reversed: Post broke records for losing, while Beyoncé made history winning. So, the question remains: Did the country music industry reject Beyoncé? Or did the Grammys overcompensate? Either way, these two artists have changed the conversation around what it means to be a “country” star in 2025.
