Country singer Gavin Adcock is not a fan of Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter.
Adcock, 26, had choice words about the Grammy-winning album during a recent live show, decrying Beyoncé being ahead of his own record on the Apple Music country albums chart.
“One of them’s Beyoncé … you can tell her we’re coming for her f***ing ass,” he said, referring to the chart, per footage shared via social media on Monday, June 30.
He continued: “That s*** ain’t country music, it ain’t ever been country music and it ain’t gonna be country music.”
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Adcock doubled down in a video shared via X on Monday, saying, “I’mma go ahead and clear this up. When I was a little kid, my mama was blasting some Beyoncé in the car. I’ve heard a ton of Beyoncé songs. Actually remember her Super Bowl halftime show being pretty kick-ass back in the day.”
“But I really don’t believe that her album should be labeled as country music,” the singer continued. “It doesn’t sound country, it doesn’t feel country, and I don’t think that people who have dedicated their whole lives to this genre and lifestyle should have to compete or watch that album just stay at the top because she’s Beyoncé.”
While Adcock may not be a fan, Cowboy Carter topped the U.S. Billboard 200 albums chart and became the first album by a Black woman to top the Billboard country albums chart.
Beyoncé, 43, was also praised for spotlighting Black country artists such as Shaboozey, Tanner Adell, Brittney Spencer, Tiera Kennedy and Reyna Roberts on the album, as well as honoring Black pioneers of country music, including Linda Martell.
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The Houston-born singer has previously opened up about her own country roots, which have influenced her music.
“I grew up going to the Houston rodeo every year. It was this amazing diverse and multicultural experience where there was something for every member of the family, including great performances, Houston-style fried Snickers, and fried turkey legs,” she told Harper’s Bazaar in 2021.
At the time, Beyoncé also reflected on how the contributions of Black people to country and rodeo culture were often overlooked.
During her research for her Ivy Park rodeo-inspired clothing line, she said, “One of my inspirations came from the overlooked history of the American Black cowboy.”
The singer added, “Many of them were originally called cowhands, who experienced great discrimination and were often forced to work with the worst, most temperamental horses. They took their talents and formed the Soul Circuit. Through time, these Black rodeos showcased incredible performers and helped us reclaim our place in western history and culture.”
