This was never real country, and the fact that anyone pretends otherwise is a complete disgrace!

Beyoncé’s label planned the release of Cowboy Carter, they did not approach it as a country album, but as a pop album. When the first songs were released, they were not labeled as country songs, and were not sent to country radio. Instead, they were labeled as pop songs, and serviced to pop radio.

This was the first indication we had that the media narrative being forged around the album was being presumptuous at best, or was downright false at worst. Unfortunately though, due to hubristic notions, an unwillingness to admit mistakes, and in some instances the presence of ulterior motives,

the media and Beyoncé Stans never reversed course from calling Cowboy Carter country.