Oklahoma Radio Station to Play Beyoncé’s New Country Songs After Backlash

Country music radio station in Oklahoma faces backlash for not playing Beyoncé’s new country songs

A country music radio station in Oklahoma found itself in hot water after initially refusing to play Beyoncé’s two new country songs, “Texas Hold ‘Em” and “16 Carriages.” The station, KYKC, cited its status as a country music station as the reason for not playing the songs, sparking accusations of racism and discrimination from Beyoncé’s fan base, known as the Beyhive.

The controversy began when a fan requested the songs be played on the station, only to be told by the general manager, Roger Harris, that Beyoncé’s music was not played on KYKC. The response quickly went viral, with many calling for the station to reconsider its decision.

In a statement to Entertainment Weekly, a representative for KYKC explained that the station had not received the songs from Sony Music, which delayed their addition to the rotation. Harris also admitted that he was unaware of Beyoncé’s foray into country music and that the station had always been fans of her music on their other stations.

After receiving numerous requests to play “Texas Hold ‘Em,” the station announced on Twitter that they would be adding the song to their rotation. Harris clarified that the delay in playing the song was due to the station’s small market status and lack of access to the same services as larger stations.

The incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by Black artists in the country music industry, with Beyoncé herself previously facing resistance when her song “Daddy Lessons” was rejected by the Recording Academy’s country music committee for a Grammy nomination in 2016. Despite these obstacles, Beyoncé has continued to push boundaries and explore new genres, including her recent venture into country music.

In a show of support for her latest musical endeavor, Beyoncé was spotted in New York wearing a cowboy hat, fully embracing her new country persona. The singer made a surprise appearance at a fashion show and was joined by her mother and sister, showing that she is unafraid to break barriers and challenge stereotypes in the music industry.