Breaking Down Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter: Grammys, Critics & More

Within the first single on Cowboy Carter, Beyoncé lays it all out for her critics, seemingly referencing the backlash she faced after she performed at the CMA Awards in 2016. 

“They used to say I spoke, ‘Too country’ / And the rejection came, said I wasn’t, ‘Country ‘nough,’” she sings, “Said I wouldn’t saddle up, but / If that ain’t country, tell me, what is? / Plant my bare feet on solid ground for years / They don’t, don’t know how hard I had to fight for this.” 

At the time, fans noted that the CMA Awards appeared to take down footage of her surprise performance alongside The Chicks. However, in a statement to E! News, the organization shared they took down a promotional clip instead.