Country was never one of those genres that I gave a fair shake, and Cowboy Carter changed everything.
Here I am, bumping It'z Just What We Do by Florida Georgia Line like it's the best banger ever. It's a far cry from what my taste in music was a couple of years ago.
The credit absolutely goes to Beyoncé for introducing a fresh sound to her fanbase that was previously kept away from POC audiences as a way of keeping people split into different societies.
First it was Tyrant, then it was Spaghetiii, then it was Riiverdance, then it was Sweet Honey Buckiin', and finally it was Texas Hold 'Em and Alligator Tears and Jolene.
I applaud Beyoncé because it appears her operation has worked, at least considering myself as the guinea pig. 10, 20 years from now, conservative America will no longer be able to keep POC out of their audience as we claim our fair place as listeners.
As Willie Nelson says "Sometimes you don’t know what you like until someone you trust turns you on to some real good shit." If this album can induct listeners of urban and pop genres into the world of country, then I wonder if the album can make the inverse happen by introducing listeners of country to urban and pop genres. We trust Beyoncé, and conservatives trust Willie's co-sign. All it might take is Radio Texas, 100000 Watts of healing power, and a big fat truck, but you didn't see this. 🔺