Yes, you read that right: According to the powers that be in the honky-tonk world, the genre of steel guitars, boots, and heartbreak just isn’t big enough for Beyoncé. Despite releasing an album that masterfully blended country elements with her signature R&B style, and despite massive support from her fan base (and even Dolly Parton!), Beyoncé’s efforts to embrace the genre have been met with swift and brutal pushback.

Cowboy Carter, which was released in March 2024, was Beyoncé’s bold step into the world of country music, a genre she had already dabbled in with her song “Daddy Lessons” from the album Lemonade. At the time, her performance at the 2016 Country Music Awards with The Chicks (formerly Dixie Chicks) was met with some enthusiasm, but also a healthy dose of skepticism from country purists. It seems those skeptics have now become real gatekeepers.

“I am honored to be the first Black woman with a No. 1 single on the Hot Country Songs chart,” Beyoncé said in a statement after her album’s release, referring to her breakout song “16 Carriages.” “This album is not about record labels. It’s about music that brings people together.” And indeed, Cowboy Carter did exactly that — uniting Beyoncé fans of all genres under a banner of inclusivity — with a twist.

But while Beyoncé was busy drawing the world’s attention to the rich history of Black artists in country music, the CMA seemed to be hard at work plotting her downfall. When the 2024 CMA Awards nominations were announced, many were shocked to see that Beyoncé’s name was completely absent from the list, despite her undeniable chart success and critical acclaim.

The snub alone was bad enough, but the real bombshell came in the form of a shocking statement from the CMA itself, released just hours after fans began expressing their outrage on social media.

“While we respect Ms. Knowles-Carter’s talent and contributions to the music industry,” the statement read, “we must uphold the integrity of the country music genre. Her latest album does not align with our vision of traditional country and as such, we have made the difficult decision to ban her from all future CMA events and considerations. She can never be country.”

The statement, which has since been dubbed the “No-Beyoncé Nashville Statement,” sent shockwaves through the entertainment world. Country music and Beyoncé fans flooded Twitter (or X, as the tech overlords now demand we call it) with hashtags like #JusticeForBey and #CMAIsCancelled.

One particularly passionate fan wrote: “Are you seriously saying BEYONCÉ isn’t good enough for country music? The same Beyoncé who just gave us ‘Texas Hold ‘Em’? The same Beyoncé who covered Dolly Parton’s ‘Jolene’? You’re crazy.”

Speaking of Dolly Parton, the country icon herself weighed in on the controversy, and as always, she did not disappoint.

“I’ve been a fan of Beyoncé for years,” Parton said in an interview just days after the CMA announcement. “She covered my song ‘Jolene’ on her new album, and let me tell you, she did it justice. Anybody who says that woman isn’t country doesn’t know what they’re talking about. I think she’s more country than half of Nashville these days.”

With Dolly’s endorsement in hand, you’d think Beyoncé would have the genre under control. After all, when the Queen of Country gives you her blessing, it’s a pretty big deal. But the CMA is unfazed by either Beyoncé’s talent or Parton’s endorsement.

“We appreciate Ms. Parton’s contributions to country music,” a CMA spokesperson said, “but our decision is final. Country music has specific traditions and values, and we do not believe Ms. Knowles-Carter’s work adheres to them.”

It’s unclear what traditions the CMA is referring to (whether its aversion to inclusivity or its strange obsession with ensuring no one has too much fun), but it’s clear that Beyoncé’s attempts to break into the genre have rankled Nashville.

All of this debate has reignited long-standing conversations about who exactly “owns” country music. For decades, country has been dominated by white artists, but the genre’s roots in black music run deep. From the influence of the blues on early country to the contributions of black pioneers like DeFord Bailey, the harmonica player who helped shape the Grand Ole Opry, the history of country music is anything but monolithic.

In 2024, however, it seems the CMA would rather ignore that legacy than embrace it. By banning Beyoncé, they’ve basically drawn a line in the sand: a line that says country music is for some people, but not for others.

In response, several high-profile country artists have spoken out in defense of Beyoncé. “This is ridiculous,” Kacey Musgraves tweeted. “Country music is supposed to be about storytelling, and no one tells a story better than Beyoncé.”

Meanwhile, rising star Mickey Guyton, one of the few black women in mainstream country today, expressed her frustration in an interview. “Country music should be for everyone. We can’t keep putting up these walls and pretending that certain voices don’t belong here. If Beyoncé isn’t country, then what does that say about the rest of us?”

As for Beyoncé, the artist has maintained her poise in the face of the CMA’s decision. Sources close to her say she is focusing on her music and her fans, undeterred by the industry’s backlash.

“She’s Beyoncé,” said one of her collaborators. “She doesn’t need the CMAs. They need her. If they can’t see what she’s brought to country music, they’re missing out.”

And with that, it looks like Beyoncé will continue to blaze her own trail, CMAs be damned. While the Nashville establishment may not be ready to embrace her, the rest of the world has already crowned her the queen of country. Or at least, the queen of whatever genre she decides to conquer next.

One thing is for sure: Beyoncé won’t be leaving the country scene without making a lot of noise. She’ll be hopping in the saddle, riding off into the sunset, and making sure the rest of us know what country music really sounds like.