Kevin Winter / Getty Images for The Recording Academy
“You can taste the dishonesty, it’s all over your breath, as you pass it off so cavalier, but even that’s a test, constantly aware of it all, my lonely ear, pressed against the walls of your world.” (Beyoncé, Pray You Catch Me)
If you’ve heard these lyrics from the opening track of Lemonade, then you know Beyoncé wasn’t just making music—she was giving us raw, unfiltered emotion. And honestly? She did it so well. Lemonade dropped in 2016, and it shook up the entire cultural scene. It was a mix of heartbreak, healing, and empowerment that resonated with so many people who’ve had to rebuild themselves from tough situations. Classic Beyoncé, right? She’s always been about using her creative genius to spark bigger conversations, and Lemonade was the start of something new for her. This vibe carried on through projects like The Lion King: The Gift, Renaissance, and, of course, her most recent album, Cowboy Carter.
Cowboy Carter: A Country Moment… Or Not?
So, let’s talk about Cowboy Carter. This album definitely stirred up some controversy—especially when it comes to country music. The whole project was inspired by an experience where Bey felt isolated and unwelcome. What does she do with that energy? Turns it into a groundbreaking album that challenges norms and pushes boundaries, of course. Beyoncé has never been one to shy away from shaking things up.
Take her performance at the 2016 CMA Awards, for example. She took the stage with the Dixie Chicks (yeah, those country legends who’ve always been a little controversial in their own right) and performed “Daddy Lessons” from Lemonade. The song mixed country, blues, and pop—mixing genres in a way that had some folks questioning if Beyoncé even belonged in the country space. Critics cried “publicity stunt” or “political statement,” but Bey just brushed it off. She defended the song as a genre mash-up and kept pushing her boundaries, leading into the Renaissance era and eventually Cowboy Carter. It’s a powerful reminder that sometimes, we need to challenge the norms and bring our own voice to the table—just like Bey did.
The 2017 Grammy Snub: A Missed Opportunity?
Now, let’s flashback to the 2017 Grammy Awards. That moment when Lemonade lost Album of the Year to Adele’s 25? Oof. Beyoncé fans still haven’t fully recovered. Lemonade was groundbreaking, mixing genres like R&B, pop, blues, and country, tackling heavy themes like race, womanhood, and empowerment. It wasn’t just an album—it was a cultural moment. But the Grammys, as they often do, leaned toward the safer, more mainstream choice with 25. While Adele’s album is great, Lemonade was bold, experimental, and made a statement in ways that felt like a push against the typical Grammy mold.
Adele even admitted that Lemonade should’ve won, but we all know how that went. It felt like the Grammys missed the mark, especially considering the history of overlooking Black artists in major categories. The voters at the time were mostly white and male, and they just weren’t ready for what Beyoncé was offering. So, Beyoncé’s fans, myself included, were left to wonder: does the Grammys really honor the best work, or just play it safe?
In the PR world, it’s often about making sure your story gets told the right way, even when the odds are against you. Just like Beyoncé’s team expertly positioned Lemonade as a defining moment in music history, we at BJC help clients tell their own stories, making sure their brand stands out, even in the face of tough competition. Through strategic media placements and tailored narratives, we ensure our clients’ stories reach the right audience at the right time.
2025 Grammys: A Historic Win or a Political Move?
2025 was a big year for Beyoncé at the Grammys. She walked away with three major wins: Best Country Album, Best Country Duo/Group Performance for her collab with Miley Cyrus on “II Most Wanted,” and, of course, the coveted Album of the Year for Cowboy Carter. While the album went platinum in the Black community, some are still questioning whether it’s truly one of her best works.
But let’s not forget—2016 was hailed as the year of music. Lemonade kicked off an incredible era of music that year, and Beyoncé had a major hand in that legacy. I mean, when Adele herself admitted that Lemonade should have won AOTY in 2017, can we really argue?
Also, shout-out to Lauryn Hill—she was the last Black woman to win AOTY in 1999 for The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. That means Beyoncé’s 2025 win was historic in more ways than one, especially since she also became the first Black woman to win Best Country Album. Plot twist, anyone?
Critics, Fans, and the Grammy Drama
Of course, as with any big win, there’s controversy. Music critics and BeyHive fans alike have been questioning why Cowboy Carter—instead of some of her other more iconic works—was awarded this honor. Fans are wondering if the decision was political or if the whole thing was a setup. The Grammys have been known for snubbing deserving artists in the past, and many are asking if Cowboy Carter’s win was part of a calculated PR move during a time of major social and political change.
At BJC, we know PR is about shaping perceptions and managing the narrative. Whether you’re handling an award show controversy or a product launch, we work with our clients to ensure that their messages are clear, impactful, and stay true to their core values. We focus on creating and maintaining a positive image that aligns with your vision, no matter what the outside noise may be.
Is The Grammy Process Really About Excellence?
Regardless of how you feel about Beyoncé’s 2025 wins, one thing is undeniable: she’s worked for this moment. Even with the critiques of Cowboy Carter, she poured the same level of dedication and intention into this album that she has in all of her work. She deserves her flowers! But the bigger question remains: do award shows like the Grammys actually honor excellence, quality, and relevance? Or are they just a flex of power in the industry?
Cowboy Carter wasn’t just an album—it was a statement, a cultural moment, and a lesson in resilience. And even if the award shows sometimes miss the mark, one thing is clear: Bey’s brand is only going to continue to rise. As she says, “Always stay gracious; best revenge is your paper.”
Final Thoughts: Beyoncé’s Legacy
So, what’s the takeaway? Maybe we’ll never have all the answers about how awards are decided. But one thing we do know is that Beyoncé is, and always will be, a force. Whether she’s making groundbreaking music, challenging norms, or inspiring an entire generation of creators, she’s proven that her influence is undeniable—and she’ll keep doing it on her own terms. Cowboy Carter might just be the beginning of the next chapter in Beyoncé’s ever-evolving legacy.
I hope you found this deep dive into Beyoncé’s Grammy journey fun and insightful! Whether you agree with her win or not, it’s clear that her artistry and influence have reshaped the music industry in a big way. Now, over to you—how do you feel about award shows, and how does this all connect to the world of PR and brand building? Let’s talk in the comments!
Such a great breakdown of Beyoncé’s journey! It’s wild to think about how she’s always been ahead of the curve—whether it’s with her music or performances. The whole 2017 Grammy snub and her 2025 wins really make you question how the Grammys actually pick winners. It’s clear that Beyoncé’s not about playing it safe; she’s all about pushing boundaries. I love that about her. Her influence goes way beyond music, and it’s a perfect example of how building a brand is about more than just the moment—it’s about leaving a lasting impact. Great read!
Good take! I do think alot of the Grammys are controlled by powers we do not know(not to get into conspiracies!). But it makes no sense how Jay Z makes a speech about his wife and next year she’s winning the award she never won. Granted it was over due but Cowboy Carter is no where near her best work in my opinion.
The Grammys are just over glorified and real artist never get the real praise they deserve. You can look into some of the dopest rappers ever and none of them have more than 3 awards let alone nominations other than Kendrick, Jay- Z and Kanye to a point.
True artistry is lost in my opinion when it comes to these awards, if we gonna give Kendrick 5 awards based on a diss song we need to really critique what exactly is a Grammy worthy piece of art.
Great take! I think as black women, no matter what we do or how we do it, we will always have to work twice as hard to be seen as half as good. No matter what personal feelings people have about Beyoncé, I think everyone has to respect how fearless she is with her music. She’s going to make what she wants, when she wants, how she wants and she is going to make everyone feel it as soon as they press play.
Regardless of what we think about Beyoncé (which I love, but can also understand the conflict) I think she does a great job in being versatile and really pushing the boundaries. I’ve learned to love Beyoncé from when I was little and just being in awe of her to now understanding her lyricism as a woman… black woman at that.
I also can understand that at this point the Grammys just had to give in and give her the award because they truly did play with her back in 2016… I’m just happy she got her flowers. Perhaps not the year we wanted her to get it but at least she got them.
Great blog post! You make good points about what the true reason is behind choosing Cowboy Carter as AOTY; artistry finally being recognized or riding a wave of political and social change. Whichever it may be, Beyoncé deserved AOTY in 2017 and she certainly deserves it now. She continues to practice and honor her own artistry whether the Grammys choose to recognize it. I do think the Grammys sometimes choose easy-to-love albums with good rhythm and catchy lyrics rather than true creativity and albums with deep meaning.
Great blog post! I think as entertainment has gotten to be such a large business that can be advertised on so many platforms, the ability to recognize true artistry rather than popularity has decreased. Beyoncé is a one in a lifetime singer, songwriter, and performer. While she didn’t win in 2017, I’m happy she has been recognized now for her continued contributions to American music culture including country music.
This was a great read. I appreciate that you pointed out the current events surrounding the Grammys and it potentially being a reason why they chose Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter for AOTY. However, I feel that Beyoncé was well deserving of this win. At the end of the day, she does what she wants regardless of the bad press she may get – and she doesn’t miss. I can’t wait to see what she does in the future.