Amanda Martinez, a postdoctoral scholar in American studies, writes this piece for NPR on Beyoncé’s upcoming country album and the challenge of Black artists and women in getting played on country radio.
“As much as Beyoncé’s challenge to the machinery of country music throws a light on the problem Black artists and women face getting played on country radio, the attention also creates a paradox. Her megastardom and the efforts of her huge, vocal fanbase obscure the presence of countless more Black artists of the past and present who have pushed to gain acceptance within country music …” Martinez writes.
She adds: “It remains to be seen whether Beyoncé’s presence on country radio will make the format more open to playing artists of color in the future.”