Gavin Adcock blasts Beyoncé after 'Cowboy Carter' ranks higher than his album
The 26-year-old Georgia native unleashed his harsh, candid thoughts about Beyoncé's Grammy-winning album during a recent concert. In a clip from the show, Adcock let off steam about his album "Own Worst Enemy" being ranked lower than "Cowboy Carter" in the Top 5 on Apple Music's country album chart.
Beyoncé's 27-track project currently ranks No. 3 on the chart. Meanwhile Adcock's album sits at No. 4. Parker McCollum's self-titled album is No. 2, and Morgan Wallen's album "I'm the Problem" tops the list. And that's clearly not sitting well with Adcock.
During his mid-concert rant he told the crowd, "You can tell her we're coming for her (expletive)."
"That s*** ain't country music, and it ain't never been country music. And it ain't gonna be country music," he said as the crowd cheered him on.
Adcock later doubled down on his stance in a video meant to clear up his onstage comments. He captioned it, "It just ain't country."
He acknowledged hearing a ton of Beyoncé songs growing up.
"I really don't believe that her album should be labeled as country music," he said. "It doesn't sound country. It doesn't feel country. And I just don't think people who have dedicated their whole lives to this genre and this lifestyle should have to compete or watch that album stay at the top just because she's Beyoncé."
As fans know, Beyoncé first announced her eighth studio album "Cowboy Carter" on March 29, 2024, and has broken many records and made history on multiple fronts. The project has also been a catalyst for the recent spotlight on Black country artists and the genre's roots. Consequently, it has challenged music industry norms and sparked conversations pertaining to the intersection of race and country music.
In 2025, the album won best country album at the Grammy Awards. It was the first time a Black woman was nominated and won in the category. She also took home the top prize of the evening, album of the year, joining only three other Black women in the show's history to earn the honor. Throughout its first year, the project also received many other awards and nominations.
While it has become a huge force within country music and the music industry as a whole, it has also revealed deep-seated biases still present in parts of the industry.
The album was snubbed at the 2024 Country Music Association Awards, garnering zero nominations. The CMAs are considered one of the most prestigious awards in the country music industry, and fans suspected this year the megastar would be the first Black woman to be nominated and win album of the year for her groundbreaking and culture-shifting project.
Prior to releasing the album, Beyoncé got candid about creating the five-year project and alluded to her 2016 performance at the CMA Awards, which was met with an icy reception and harsh criticism.
"It was born out of an experience that I had years ago where I did not feel welcomed…and it was very clear that I wasn't," she wrote on Instagram. "The criticisms I faced when I first entered this genre forced me to propel past the limitations that were put on me. Act ii is a result of challenging myself and taking my time to bend and blend genres together to create this body of work."
Beyoncé is currently in the middle of her Cowboy Carter and the Rodeo Chitlin' Circuit Tour, with which she's already made history
Follow Caché McClay, the USA TODAY Network's Beyoncé Knowles-Carter reporter, on Instagram, TikTok and X as @cachemcclay.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Entrepreneur
5 hours ago
- Entrepreneur
Historic Breakthrough: Dubai-Based Designer Rami Al Ali Joins Official Haute Couture Calendar
Dubai-based couturier Rami Al Ali becomes the first Syrian designer to be welcomed onto the official Haute Couture calendar. You're reading Entrepreneur Middle East, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. Dubai-based couturier Rami Al Ali becomes the first Syrian designer to be welcomed onto the official Haute Couture calendar — a recognition that honors the refinement of his vision and the growing influence of his work on the global stage. He will present his Autumn-Winter 2025 Couture collection in Paris, as part of the official Haute Couture fashion show schedule of the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode, on July 10, 2025. Originally from Syria, Rami Al Ali has always had a passion for the fine arts. He graduated in Visual Arts from the Damascus School of Fine Arts in 1995 and soon began working in the fashion industry in Dubai and Beirut. In 2001, he founded his eponymous fashion house in Dubai, still in full development, where he stands out for his bold, architectural designs and unique know-how. For several years now, he has been presenting his collections at fashion shows and presentations in Paris. Al Ali's creations quickly became a huge hit with international celebrities, including Beyoncé, Jennifer Lopez, Naomi Campbell, Sharon Stone and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, to name a few. The Rami Al Ali brand has diversified in recent years with several lines, including Couture, Ready-to-Wear, Bridal Couture, and the White collection.
USA Today
6 hours ago
- USA Today
Beyoncé skips '16 Carriages,' flying car again Night 1 in D.C.: Are they permanently cut?
Beyoncé Knowles-Carter delivered another dazzling performance during her first "Cowboy Carter" concert in the Washington, D.C.-area, keeping safety at the forefront by once again cutting a hit song and signature flying car stunt from the show. The Grammy-winning singer kicked off her July Fourth show at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland — five miles east of Washington, D.C. The concert marked Beyoncé's first of two shows at the stadium on her Cowboy Carter and the Rodeo Chitlin' Circuit Tour. She is also set to perform on July 7. During the Fourth of July show, Beyoncé once again skipped her single "16 Carriages" after she faced a technical mishap during her first concert in her hometown of Houston. During the H-Town opener, which took place at NRG stadium on June 28, Beyoncé was forced to pause the show because a technical glitch caused the vehicle to tilt midair. She told everyone to "stop" repeatedly before being safely lowered and landing the car among the audience. There were no injuries. At the following Houston show, Beyoncé cut "16 Carriages" from the set list completely and avoided flying in the air in a car. During Thursday's show, fans wondered if she would bring back the song and the stunt. However, that question was soon answered. One fan wrote, "Yeah she's off that car for the rest of the tour, which means no more 16 Carriages? 😭💔" As fans know, Beyoncé first announced the eighth studio album in February 2024 during a surprise Super Bowl commercial, releasing singles "Texas Hold 'Em" and "16 Carriages." The tunes quickly gained popularity ahead of the album's full release March 29, 2024. It's unclear if Beyoncé will perform the song in any variation for the rest of the tour. Of course, Beyoncé first debuted her "Cowboy Carter" tour at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on April 28 with 39 songs on the set list. Her shows have been filled with family, fashion, different music genres, and most notably country music and cultural commentary. The nine-city tour will span the U.S. and Europe with the grand finale taking place in Las Vegas on July 26. Follow Caché McClay, the USA TODAY Network's Beyoncé Knowles-Carter reporter, on Instagram, TikTok and X as @cachemcclay.
USA Today
6 hours ago
- USA Today
Beyoncé lights up Washington with dazzling Fourth of July ‘Cowboy Carter' show
Forget fireworks. Beyoncé Knowles-Carter lit up the nation's capital this Fourth of July with her first "Cowboy Carter" concert in the Washington, D.C.-area. The Grammy-winning singer kicked off her July Fourth show at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland — five miles east of Washington, D.C — around 8:43 p.m local time. The concert marked her first of two shows at the stadium on her Cowboy Carter and the Rodeo Chitlin' Circuit Tour. She is set to perform at the stadium again on July 7. "Happy Fourth of July, everybody. Today is all about freedom," she said, opening the show in an American flag floor-length coat over a matching bodysuit with sparkly fringe boots and a white cowboy hat. As fans know, Beyoncé first debuted her "Cowboy Carter" tour at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on April 28 with 39 songs on the set list. Her shows have been filled with family, fashion, different music genres, and most notably country music and cultural commentary. The July Fourth show was no different. However, the added backdrop of the holiday made for an especially significant night — especially given the the messages and motifs pertaining to country music, America's complex past and its ongoing cultural reckoning. "The concept of Beyoncé having a show on the 4th of July in Washington D.C. performing, her album about celebrating Black Americanism… ICONIC," one fan wrote on X. And the electric energy and holiday spirit was kept alive throughout the entire night. Even a SirDavis whiskey bottle was seen dressed to match the theme. The tour has been a huge showcase of fashion and creativity. Each night, Beyoncé continues to blend high fashion and cowboy couture, keeping fans on the edge of their seats as they anticipate a new look. There's been many looks incorporating Western-glam: sparkly chaps, cowboy hats, boots and piles of fringe. And she continued to serve during the D.C.-area opener. Of course, Beyoncé first released her eighth studio album, "Cowboy Carter," in March 2024. It has since made history and broken multiple records. As Beyoncé's first country album, she deliberately featured country legends and emerging Black country artists alike. She became the first Black woman to win best country album at the 2025 Grammys and also took home album of the year. The nine-city tour will span the U.S. and Europe with the grand finale taking place in Las Vegas on July 26. Follow Caché McClay, the USA TODAY Network's Beyoncé Knowles-Carter reporter, on Instagram, TikTok and X as @cachemcclay.
