NEW YORK — There’s country music become a dominant forceIt falls for the mainstream of pop music. Artists not previously associated with the genre, such as Beyoncé and Post Malone, have also recently released country albums.

They’ve become popular, but their Grammy prospects are still uncertain.

Beyoncé’s The landmark “Cowboy Carter” centered Black artists in the history of this music and first black woman It reached No. 1 on the Billboard country albums chart.

Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” is the biggest song of the year, spending more weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 than any other; combines its sound with the familiar sample of J Kwon’s 2004 rap hit “Tipsy”. ”

This summer, she became the second Black artist to top Billboard’s pop and country singles charts simultaneously, following Beyoncé.

And post malone She made an effortless transition to the country world, spending time in Nashville, playing at the Grand Ole Opry, and dominating the charts with her collaboration with Morgan Wallen, “I Had Some Help.”

For all the success, will newcomers to this country be rewarded? Grammy Award Will the candidates be announced next week? Here are some important things you need to know.

There are four main Grammy country music categories: best country album, best country solo performance, best country duo/group performance, and best country song. The second is given to songwriters.

There are five nominated works in each category.

Beyoncé, Shaboozey and Post Malone were nominated in all four major country music categories, including country album of the year. “Cowboy Carter” “Where I Am is Not Where I’m Going” and “F-1 Trillion” respectively. Although each has submitted entries in other categories honoring pop and R, they are not guaranteed a nomination.&B and Americana are also competing for best album, record and song of the year.

Beyoncé’s “Texas Hold’em” An application was made in the Country Song category. “16 Carriages” will take the stage with his country solo performance, and in the country duo/group performance category, he will take the stage with his duet with “ll Most Wanted”. Miley Cyrus, was presented.

In Shaboozey’s case: “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” is up for the country song and country solo performance categories. “My Fault” featuring Noah Cyrus is ready for duo/group performance nationwide.

And finally for Post Malone: ​​The country song “I Had Some Help” with Wallen is available for a country duo/group performance. “Yours” is her submission in the country solo performance category.

They’ll likely face off against some of the 2024 Country Music Association Awards’ best country album nominees; these include Luke Combs’ “Fathers.” & Sons,” Cody Johnson’s “Leather.” Kacey Musgraves’ “Deep Well” and Chris Stapleton’s “Higher,” as well as other all-stars who have released Grammy-nominated albums, “Hurricane” by Lainey Wilson between them.

Beyonce no nominations were made A verdict on “Cowboy Carter” for the 2024 CMAs country star Mickey Guyton It’s been called depressing, which may reflect the way the Nashville country music industry operates. Could the same thing happen at the Grammys?

“A lot of times in country music, if you’re releasing a country album, you have to invest in the community and really expose yourself to that audience — it’s not necessary, but it’s beneficial to you — so that the community feels a commitment to you,” Guyton said. “Nashville is very, many, many; It’s almost a club and a community. And people… they feel like they need to know you. And that was definitely a factor. This still doesn’t disappoint.”

If Beyoncé receives a best country album Grammy nomination, she would be the second black artist to do so. Guyton becomes the first artist to make his debut in 2022. “Remember His Name.”

country musician BRELAND, Being both a CMA and Grammy voter points out the differences between both award shows.

“Nashville, in general, is a community where you kind of pay your dues when you come to town. And I feel like that’s how the system works. That’s how country radio works.” explained. “You’ve seen Post Malone really endear himself to the community here in Nashville, which I think contributed to him getting some of those looks. “You know, Shaboozey was nominated (at the CMAs), but you also saw him play the CMA festival and play these country festivals.”

In Beyoncé’s case, “her absence here (in Nashville) probably didn’t help her case for being nominated,” he continued. “He’s done a really great job helping to change the narrative in country music, and I’m surprised he wasn’t recognized at the Grammys in some way. … Grammy voting members will probably be a little more receptive to that than the people on the CMA side.”

Maura Johnston, Beyoncé, a freelance music writer and adjunct instructor at Boston College, said, “She often falls victim to the tall poppy syndrome where she’s so good, so great, and on a different level than everyone else,” and said the instinctive reaction is to “honor something else.” Race is also a consideration, with black artists rarely recognized in country categories.

“He should be nominated because this is such an artistic achievement. “You know, it’s a way for people to get a crash course in the history of America,” he continues, “but I also know how the country feels about foreigners.”

On the other hand, Johnston argued that Grammy voters could try to correct the decision made by the CMAs and ensure that he is nominated. “That would be a nice clue and a nice realization that, yes, the music business is pretty big and we need to get rid of the insularity that can prevail,” he said.

“Judging by country radio’s response to him, I think he might have the best shot of the three,” Johnston said.

“Radio is a very important gatekeeper in the country music industry,” and Malone is playing that game, he says. “There are a lot of cameos on the album…like everyone in country music,” he added. “There is a high probability that he will be nominated only by people he collaborates with.”

These include: Hank Williams Jr., Tim McGraw, Dolly Parton, Combs and Wilson. “I think it has a better chance of being nominated for country album of the year.

Johnston said he believes this could have been a drag on the Grammys for the inclusion of “I Got a Little Help” featuring Morgan Wallen. Throwing a chair from a Nashville roof with two police officers using a racial slur In a 2021 video – meaning “it’s still a bit radioactive”.

Despite having some of the biggest songs and albums of the last few years, Wallen has never been nominated for a Grammy. (Single “Last Night” at the February show nominated in the best country song category but did not win. Wallen wouldn’t have won an award anyway; This award is given only to songwriters.)

He generally sees Malone as a lock from some of the nominations, especially ones that don’t include Wallen.

As great as Shaboozey’s album is, the country star is much more likely to be known for her massive hit “A Bar Song (Tipsy.).”

“It’s kind of based on this: ‘Old Town Road’” says Johnston, pointing. Lil Nas The game changing single.

He points out that “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” reached No. 1 on both the country and all-genre charts. “It’s a cross-genre moment and it’s just a good song. “It’s also a classic country vibe.”

Shaboozey “was the first black male artist to hit No. 1 on country songs and country music airplay,” Johnston said. “So I think that’s a good sign that, you know, radio is embracing him.”

Maybe the Grammys will do the same.

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Gary Gerard Hamilton contributed to this report.