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Music fans are slamming the Country Music Awards after Shaboozey won zero awards during this year’s ceremony.
The 58th Annual CMAs, which took place on November 20, 2024, honored several country musicians. Shaboozey, who rose to fame after being featured on Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter album, was also nominated. However, he was completely overlooked in the categories in which he was recognized, including Single of the Year and Best New Artist of the Year.
In case you didn’t know, Shaboozey’s single, “A Bar Song,” is not only the hottest single in country music right now, but it’s also the most popular song in the United States. Earlier this week, the track earned its 18th week at No. 1 on Billboard‘s Hot 100, surpassing Morgan Wallen’s “Last Night.” So, what did some people have to say about the situation?
Listeners Rip Into Country Music Awards for Playing Shaboozey
Online, fans ripped into the Country Music Awards for snubbing Shaboozey despite his single’s success. On X/Twitter, one user said the association “played in his face” by nominating him only to give him nothing. “This is why Beyoncé didn’t pay them any mind after they mistreated her, too,” they wrote.
Luke Bryan recently got the BeyHive riled up after he made interesting comments about Bey’s snub, too. Although she released the year’s best-selling country album, the CMAs left her off the ballot box. Bryan had something to say, which got him into a bit of trouble.
“I’m all for everybody coming in and making country albums and all that, but just because she made one … like, just because I made one, doesn’t mean I get nominations. A lot of great music is overlooked. Sometimes you don’t get nominated.”
Later, he implied that he’d like to see Beyoncé visit Nashville to hang with country artists. He also said he’d like for her to get “in the family.” Another user mentioned this when posting about Shaboozey’s unfortunate experience online. “[Shaboozey] did what was encouraged to get ‘welcomed’ in country music despite having the number one record,” they wrote. “[And] they gave him ZERO awards. LOL.”
Billy Ray Cyrus Calls Out CMAs for Beyoncé
Social media users aren’t the only ones calling out country music for playing with Shaboozey and Beyoncé. On Instagram, country icon Billy Ray Cyrus also chimed in. In a lengthy post on Instagram, the “Achy Breaky Heart” singer admitted he was “surprised” Bey received zero noms. “Her album was brilliant… her single ruled. But she knows that. She doesn’t need a trophy from the CMA… or permission …. or approval from any of their judges.”
Billy’s statement isn’t the first time the association has been called out regarding Beyoncé and her music. In 2016, the CMAs scrubbed the special performance of her song “Daddy Lessons” with The Chicks from their website. Their actions were shocking, considering the “Single Ladies” performer gave the show its highest-rated 15 minutes ever.
When Bey announced her country album (which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and sold over 400,000 in its first week), she mentioned this painful experience.
“This album has been over five years in the making. It was born out of an experience that I had years ago where I did not feel welcomed…and it was very clear that I wasn’t,” she wrote on Instagram. “The criticisms I faced when I first entered this genre forced me to propel past the limitations that were put on me. Act ii is a result of challenging myself and taking my time to bend and blend genres together to create this body of work.”
