Country Singer Gavin Adcock Blasts Beyoncé In Whiskey-Fueled Rant

“When I was a little kid, my mama was blasting some Beyoncé in the car. I’ve heard a ton of Beyoncé songs and I actually remember her Super Bowl halftime show being pretty kick-ass back in the day, but I really don’t believe that her album should be labeled as country music,” he said. “It doesn’t sound country, it doesn’t feel country, and I just don’t think that people that have dedicated their whole lives to this genre and this lifestyle should have to compete or watch that album just stay at the top just because she’s Beyoncé.”

Gavin Adcock is a Georgia-born country-pop singer known for crafting approachable party-starting anthems and hangdog breakup ballads. Cut from the same non-stretch denim as contemporaries like Morgan Wallen, Kane Brown, and Cole Swindell, the Watkinsville native released his major-label debut, Actin' Up Again, in 2024.

Born: October 9, 1998 (age 26)

[quote] "...act ii is a result of challenging myself, and taking my time to bend and blend genres together to create this body of work.”

"Cowboy Carter" blends genres. I agree that it is not country music, but it is Americana. It is a really good album and it definitely has non-country elements.

But I still don't understand how Stevie Nicks' "Bella Donna" is NOT country.

98% of U S. Americans have never heard of him but he's at the top of the charts.

[quote] "When I was a little kid, my mama was blasting some Beyoncé in the car."

That's kinda cunty to try and clock her for her age. Is he gay?

That level of shade was definitely Mariah Careyesque, R5.

I don’t understand why this is news. It’s not inflammatory.

What is this “lifestyle” he’s talking about? Is it just drinking, domestic abuse and racism?

This is what happens when your brother-uncle knocks up your momma

I disagree, R7. It sounds a bit like a threat to me, especially in this political climate.

A lot of "country" music is only distinguishable from pop or rock by the MAGA lyrics

Country music became country/pop 30-40 years.

Subtractcock

What I actually find offensive is how, over the last 10 years, mainstream country music has borrowed heavily from hip-hop—trap beats, 808s, talk-singing, even slang—and called it “evolution.” But the moment Beyoncé enters the country space, suddenly it’s a problem? Country has had no issue co-opting hip-hop aesthetics when it suits them, especially when white male artists do it, but now they’re gatekeeping the genre against a Black woman who grew up in Texas and understands the culture more deeply than most of these guys ever will. The double standard isn’t just obvious and it’s embarrassing.

Riley Green’s “You Look Like You Love Me” is the only recent country song I’ve liked since the Dixie Chicks’ “Travelin’ Soldier.” It has that retro feel like something straight out of the ’60s or ’70s.

That said, country music today feels incredibly soulless. Every criticism people throw at modern pop. The autotune, pitch correction, overproduction is even worse in country.

Pop might be stale because it’s been run by the same Swedish hitmakers like Max Martin since the ’90s, but did you know most country songs are also made by the same small group of session musicians? Artists usually write a demo, then send it to what’s basically a studio “factory,” where the same musicians finish the track. So if you’re wondering why modern country all sounds the same, it’s literally being made by the same people.

Modern country music sounds like late-2000s Disney Channel pop. Think Jonas Brothers or Miley Cyrus during the Hannah Montana era. The overly polished production, pitch-corrected vocals, and safe, formulaic hooks make it feel more like music for kids than the gritty, emotional storytelling country was once known for.

It’s designed for the most basic, broadest audience possible. It’s not trying to challenge you or move you or offend you. Just like tween pop.

And to add something …

What a lot of people aren’t aware of

Is Beyonce pretty much invented the modern concept of “talk singing”.

So all these country artists like Sam Hunt and whoever talk-singing over rap-inspired drum patterns today.

They can thank Beyonce.

Oops that was the wrong song!

Beyoncé was talk-singing long before it became a trend in mainstream pop and country. Destiny’s Child used it heavily in the late ’90s and early 2000s.

[quote] What is this “lifestyle” he’s talking about? Is it just drinking, domestic abuse and racism?

Speaking of...

r16 "Beyonce pretty much invented the modern concept of “talk singing”. "

No, dear.

What r12, r14 and r15 said.

Country used to be for adults. It described adult situations-cheating, break-ups, drinking, even death by domestic violence.

Hell, listen to the lyrics of Mel Tillis's "Ruby", as recorded by Kenny Rodgers and 1st Edition.

I've been listening to pop, rock and country for decades and that song has a singular place in my mind for its grim, dark, sexual, tragic story.

Ruby, I think, has deserved more understanding and empathy.

That type of popular song-writing for general release is gone and ain't never coming back.

I get being annoyed at Beyonce as she's now in that realm of "this singer can never do any wrong" and sells records on their name alone, but he sounds equally as annoying and - to be frank - bitter.

So this fat racist asshole is mad at a talentless hack? Got it.