Gavin Adcock vs. Beyoncé – “Cowboy Carter ain’t country!
Country music is no stranger to controversy, especially when it comes to the definition of the genre itself. But this week, the conversation exploded into the mainstream when rising country singer Gavin Adcock made a bold, unapologetic statement targeting none other than Beyoncé.
The 26-year-old artist, known for his raw energy and Southern grit, took to the stage at a recent show and, without hesitation, slammed Beyoncé’s chart-topping album Cowboy Carter with these exact words:
“One of them is Beyoncé. Tell her we’re coming for her spot. That s*** ain’t country. It never was, and it never will be.”
His comment quickly spread like wildfire across social media, igniting fierce debates between traditional country fans, Beyoncé’s massive fanbase—the BeyHive—and everyone in between.
What Sparked This ?
Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter, released earlier this year, shocked the industry by debuting at #1 on Billboard’s Country Albums chart. The album features country instrumentation, collaborations with country legends, and even an impressive performance at the 2024 CMA Awards. Critics praised it as a genre-defying, inclusive record that redefined the idea of what “country” can be.
But for Gavin Adcock and others in the traditionalist camp, the success of Cowboy Carter represents a dilution of what they believe country music stands for: southern roots, working-class values, and storytelling born from experience—not marketing.
Adcock didn’t stop there. On Instagram, he doubled down:
“I listened to Beyoncé when I was younger, but let’s be real — this album don’t sound like any country I grew up with.”
The Internet Reacts
As expected, the BeyHive wasted no time clapping back. Many accused Adcock of gatekeeping and even labeled his remarks racist and sexist, citing Beyoncé’s long-standing influence and her clear country inspirations dating back to her Texas upbringing.
“Who made you the sheriff of country music?” one tweet read.
But Adcock’s defenders argue that his voice represents the growing frustration among many in the genre who feel sidelined by crossover stars. “He’s just saying what a lot of us think,” wrote one user on Reddit. “It’s not about who you are—it’s about what the music sounds like.”
A Deeper Cultural Divide?
This clash is about more than music. It touches on race, gender, authenticity, and what it means to belong in country music today. Beyoncé isn’t the first outsider to dip into country territory—think Lil Nas X, Kacey Musgraves, or even Post Malone’s upcoming country project. But because of her immense fame, her presence hits differently.
Critics argue that traditional country artists often struggle to get airplay or Grammy nods, while celebrities from other genres get fast-tracked to chart success. In that context, Adcock’s outrage reflects a fear of cultural displacement, even if his words lacked tact.
The Bottom Line
Gavin Adcock may have crossed a line with his tone, but he’s also tapped into a real and growing conversation in country music: Who defines the genre, and who gets to participate?
Whether you see him as a fearless truth-teller or just another angry gatekeeper, one thing is clear: his name is now part of the national conversation, and so is the question—what exactly is “country” in 2025?