The mother of Queen Bey recently took a stand against internet trolls for their accusations about her daughter’s skin.
But let’s talk about her and Jay-Z’s recent Grammys appearance first…
Jay-Z, the influential rapper behind hits like “Empire State of Mind,” was honored with the prestigious Dr. Dre Global Impact Award at the Grammys.
The Snubbing of Beyoncé
However, it was when Jay-Z turned his attention to his wife, Beyoncé, that things took an unexpected turn.
Jay-Z called out the Grammys for continuously overlooking Beyoncé’s albums in the “Album of the Year” category.
He highlighted the irony of Beyoncé having more Grammys than anyone else but never winning the top award.
“I don’t want to embarrass this young lady, but she has more Grammys than everyone and never won Album of the Year. So even by your own metrics, that doesn’t work. Think about that, the most Grammys, never won Album of the Year. That doesn’t work.”
The Awkward Moment
As the camera panned to Beyoncé, viewers couldn’t help but feel the awkwardness of the situation.
Jay-Z’s remarks put a spotlight on the discrepancy between Beyoncé’s undeniable talent and the Grammy’s failure to recognize it fully.
Shades Thrown and Memorable Reactions
Jay-Z didn’t stop there. He continued to throw shade at the Grammy Awards, suggesting that some artists may have been undeserving of their wins.
The crowd audibly groaned, unsure how to react to his bold comments. However, Jay-Z tempered his speech with a heartfelt message, urging everyone to keep showing up in life.
“Some of you are going to go home tonight and feel like you’ve been robbed, some of you may have robbed. Some of you don’t belong in a category.”
A Kanye West Moment?
This epic Grammy speech drew comparisons to another memorable awards show moment involving Beyoncé.
In 2009, Kanye West famously interrupted Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech at the MTV Video Music Awards, proclaiming that Beyoncé should have won instead.
Viewers couldn’t help but see similarities between Jay-Z’s remarks and Kanye’s infamous act. “Jay-Z’s full Kanye moment. It’s all happening,” one person wrote on X.
The Aftermath
As with any viral moment, social media exploded with reactions to Jay-Z’s speech. Memes, GIFs, and videos flooded timelines, capturing the hilarity and irony of the situation.
Fans wondered when artists would stop embarrassing Beyoncé at award shows, as it seemed like a recurring theme.
Another dilemma
Now, Beyoncé is dealing with even more disrespect as she forays into a different genre of music.
During the Super Bowl, the star did a commercial with Verizon where she announced she had new music on the way.
Later that night, she dropped two country songs: “Texas Hold ‘Em” and “16 Carriages.”
Obviously, Beyoncé isn’t known for being a country artist, so this switch up had a lot of fans surprised.
But, still, the Bey Hive embraced this change and started streaming both songs, sending them to the top of country charts.
Sadly, not everyone accepted her foray into the genre, including one country station in Oklahoma
The Backlash
One fan requested their local station, KYKC-FM, play “Texas Hold ‘Em,” only to have the request shut down by the station.
The fan posted SCORE’s reply to social media, which read that “We do not play Beyoncé on KYKC as we are a country music station.”
This caused a public outcry from fans, who immediately flocked to the station’s contact page to complain about this denial.
And finally, after a few hours, the station came around to playing the song.
Roger Harris, a general manager for South Central Oklahoma Radio Enterprises, which oversees KYKC told CBS News that the station initially didn’t know Beyoncé had released two country music songs.
He also explained that the initial response to the fan was a “standard reply” since KYKC don’t play her music — but does on to two of its others. In addition, Harris said KYKC didn’t “even have the song.”
“Because we are a small station, we don’t get serviced by the big labels like bigger stations do,” he added.
After emails, calls, and even more requests flooded the station, Harris said they made an effort to track it down, listened to it, and agreed that it sounded “country.”
Beyoncé’s Journey to the Top of the Country Chart
Beyoncé’s recent success in the country music genre has not been a sudden one.
Her journey to the top of the country chart has been a gradual process, marked by her continuous experimentation with different musical styles.
From her early days with Destiny’s Child to her solo career, Beyoncé has always pushed the boundaries of music, blending various genres to create her unique sound.
Crafting the Country Hit: Behind “Texas Hold ‘Em”
“Texas Hold ‘Em”, the song that has earned Beyoncé her historic achievement, is a testament to her musical prowess.
Released as a part of a surprise album announcement during the Super Bowl, this song quickly caught the attention of listeners with its catchy melody and powerful lyrics.
Despite being a new entrant in the country music landscape, “Texas Hold ‘Em” managed to outshine established country hits, debuting at No 1 on the Hot Country Songs chart.
The Numbers Game: Analyzing “Texas Hold ‘Em”‘s Success
The success of “Texas Hold ‘Em” is not only reflected in its chart ranking but also in its impressive streaming and sales figures.
According to data from entertainment data company Luminate, the song was streamed 19.2 million times and downloaded 39,000 times in the US within just four days of its release.
These numbers highlight the massive popularity of the song and the widespread acceptance it has received from listeners.
The Impact of Beyoncé’s Success on the Country Music Genre
Beyoncé’s achievement of topping the country chart is not just a personal milestone, but it also carries significant implications for the country music genre.
Historically, country music has been dominated by white artists, with few opportunities for artists of color.
Beyoncé’s success has challenged this status quo, opening the door for more diverse voices to be heard in the genre.
The Debate Surrounding “Texas Hold ‘Em”
Despite its success, “Texas Hold ‘Em” has also sparked controversy, particularly regarding its categorization as a country song.
Initial reluctance from an Oklahoma country radio station to play the song led to an online campaign on X (formerly known as Twitter), which eventually resulted in the song being played on the station.
This incident reflects the ongoing debates about the definition and boundaries of country music.
The Potential for Change in the Country Music Industry
Beyoncé’s success in the country music genre could potentially facilitate significant changes in the industry.
Her achievement as the first Black woman to top the country chart could inspire other artists of color to venture into the genre, leading to a more diverse and inclusive country music landscape.
Beyoncé and the Future of Country Music
Beyoncé’s historic achievement of topping the country chart as the first Black woman has established her as a trailblazer in the country music genre.
Her success has not only proven her versatility as an artist but has also challenged the traditional norms of the country music industry.
Tina Knowles: The Woman, The Legend
Before we dive into the controversy, let’s shine a spotlight on Tina Knowles herself.
She’s not just Beyonce’s mom, she’s an entrepreneur, fashion designer, and advocate in her own right.
Known for her candidness, she’s not one to shy away from standing up for what she believes in. This scenario was no different.
The Accusation: Skin Bleaching Claims
The controversy began when Beyonce made an appearance at a film premiere.
The star donned a silver dress and platinum hair, causing some online users to accuse her of skin bleaching and attempting to ‘pass as white’ – a phenomenon commonly referred to as “whitefishing”.
This sparked a wave of discussions online, with people drawing conclusions based on her appearance.
Tina Knowles Responds: Slamming the Accusations
In response to the online chatter, Tina Knowles took to social media to defend her daughter.
She posted a video with a lengthy caption, refuting the allegations and calling out the trolls for their ignorance and racism.
“Came across this today and decided to post it after seeing all of the stupid, ignorant, self-hating racist statements about her lightening her skin, and wearing platinum hair, wanting to be white.” – Tina Knowles
The Unveiling: The Truth Behind Beyonce’s Look
In her post, Knowles explained the reason behind Beyonce’s appearance.
She clarified that the star’s look was tied to the theme of the event – silver.
This included her hair, dress, and even the carpet. Knowles chided those who jumped to conclusions, labeling them as “bozos” for their misguided assumptions.
The Backlash: Addressing the Accusations
Knowles didn’t stop at just explaining the situation. She also addressed the implications of such accusations and the harmful stereotypes they perpetuate.
She expressed her frustration at the constant scrutiny Beyonce faces and called out the double standards in the industry.
“I am sick and tired of people attacking her. Every time she does something that she works her ass off for and is a statement of her work ethic, talent and resilience,” Ms. Tina wrote.
“Here you sad little haters come out the woodwork. Jealousy and racism, sexism, double standards, you perpetuate those things.”
The Impact: The Significance of Tina Knowles’ Stand
Tina Knowles’ defense of her daughter is not just about protecting Beyonce.
It’s about challenging the racist and sexist narratives that often plague black women in the entertainment industry.
Her stand is a powerful reminder of the importance of pushing back against harmful stereotypes and advocating for respect and understanding.
The Aftermath: Response to Tina Knowles’ Statement
In the wake of her post, many rallied in support of Tina Knowles.
Fans praised her for standing up for her daughter and for speaking out against racism and sexism.
Her post, which called out trolls, served as a strong message to those who perpetuate harmful narratives about black women in the public eye.
Tina Knowles, A Woman of Strength
Tina Knowles’ response to the trolls accusing Beyonce of skin bleaching is a testament to her strength as a mother and as a woman.
Her willingness to speak out and defend her daughter highlights her fierce love and unwavering support.