
Beyoncé receives the Greatest Nation Album award for „Cowboy Carter“ throughout the 67th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, Calif., U.S., Feb. 2. Reuters-Yonhap
The Grammy for Album of the 12 months eluded Beyoncé for therefore a few years — regardless of so many critically and commercially acclaimed albums, by means of limitless trade evaluation — that the narrative took on an aura of farce.
How may essentially the most nominated, most adorned artist within the 67-year historical past of the Grammys not have gained its most prestigious prize? Why have been Recording Academy voters withholding this explicit flower from one of many largest artists on the planet, who additionally occurs to be a Black lady?
Would these voters — there are 13,000 of them today — ever learn the room? After which, almost a decade after Adele’s memorable, tearful greatest album acceptance speech saying Beyoncé ‚s seminal „Lemonade“ ought to’ve gained over her personal „25,“ it was lastly Queen Bey’s flip.
„It has been many, a few years,“ she stated Sunday with a small chuckle in accepting the Album of the 12 months award for her high-concept, rollicking homage to Black artists in nation music, „Cowboy Carter.“
The golden gramophone stands as a lifetime achievement award of types for the 43-year-old — and an acknowledgment of every little thing that introduced her to that second.
„On the one hand, I can assume, ‚Lastly!'“ Birgitta Johnson, a professor of African American research and music historical past on the College of South Carolina, advised AFP after the gala.
„On the opposite is — and the explanation that a few of us are shocked — we perceive the degrees of limitations she has confronted within the trade and society as a complete, at the same time as she has impacted them each like no different artist within the twenty first century.“
‚Huge win‘
Beyoncé ‚s husband Jay-Z — who publicly admonished Grammy voters for repeatedly snubbing his spouse’s work for high prizes ultimately 12 months’s ceremony — was all smiles this time, together with when he clinked champagne glasses with Taylor Swift, who has scooped the Album of the 12 months a document 4 occasions.
That was extra occasions than all Black girls who’ve gained the prize mixed.
Now, it is a tie. Earlier than Beyoncé got here Natalie Cole, Whitney Houston and Lauryn Hill.
Queen Bey notably devoted the prize to Linda Martell, the primary commercially profitable Black feminine nation artist and the primary to play on the commemorated Grand Ole Opry stage, who additionally featured on Beyoncé ‚s document.
„I hope we simply hold pushing ahead, opening doorways,“ stated Beyoncé , who additionally gained two Grammys within the nation classes.
The most effective album prize „is a giant win for Beyoncé “ that additionally „displays the rising consciousness and recognition of Black artists working in nation,“ musicologist Lauron Kehrer advised AFP.
Previous to dropping „Cowboy Carter,“ her eighth studio album, Beyoncé had brushed up towards the overwhelmingly white, male gatekeepers of nation music who’ve lengthy dictated the style’s perceived boundaries.
Her 27-track, scholarly exploration of the style — whereas additionally delivering some rap, dance, soul, funk, rock and gospel moments — was a pointed indictment of the backlash she had confronted for attempting to play music that celebrated her Southern roots.
„Generally style is a code phrase to maintain us in our place as artists,“ Beyoncé stated Sunday in accepting her award for greatest nation album.

Kendrick Lamar, winner of the Document Of The 12 months, Greatest Rap Efficiency, Greatest Rap Music, Greatest Music Video, and Music Of The 12 months awards, poses within the press room throughout the 67th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, Calif., U.S., Feb. 2. Reuters-Yonhap
‚Various voices and views‘
Alongside Beyoncé , Kendrick Lamar — one other adorned Grammy artist whose work had been sidelined from the all-genre awards — gained the 2 coveted trophies for greatest document and greatest track, which honors songwriting.
Chappell Roan, whose vibrant creative challenge contains celebrating queer love in track, rounded out the highest 4 awards by profitable Greatest New Artist.
Alongside Beyoncé ‚s work, „it is thrilling to see queer pop and hip-hop, genres coming from and resonating with marginalized teams, have so many wins this 12 months,“ Kehrer stated.
„Notably within the present political local weather, it displays that Individuals really do worth numerous voices and views.“
Kehrer additionally famous that Doechii’s win for greatest rap album — she’s solely the third lady to take residence that prize — plus the perfect melodic rap efficiency prize going to 2 girls, Rapsody and Erykah Badu, marked motion in Grammy voting patterns.
„Even inside genres, we see a rising enlargement of who’s acknowledged,“ Kehrer stated. „‚Cowboy Carter'“ is a part of that shift as effectively.“
As for Beyoncé , it’s — as her husband Jay-Z as soon as rapped — on to the following one.
She’s acquired a tour to saddle up for: not lengthy after the Beyhive swarmed her „Renaissance“ tour, it is time for spherical two.
Simply earlier than Sunday’s gala, Beyoncé introduced the tour was on the way in which, and simply after the ceremony, she posted the cities the „Cowboy Carter Rodeo Chitlin‘ Circuit tour“ was slated to hit.
„SHE COMING,“ the caption learn. (AFP)