Shaboozey, BRELAND Talk Beyoncé CMA Snub: “There’s Work To Be Done”

Shaboozey and BRELAND have thoughts about Beyoncé being shut out of the Country Music Awards. On Wednesday (Oct. 2), the two country music stars spoke to VIBE ahead of the inaugural Red Bull Jukebox show in Nashville, TN.

The men discussed the current state of the genre and their places within the culture. Naturally, the conversation led to Beyoncé’s latest album, Cowboy Carter–her foray into the world of horses, cowgirls, and Southern roots. The blockbuster LP made history upon release, earning the superstar her eighth No. 1 on the Billboard 200. And while Bey herself has stated that the LP “isn’t a country album,” BRELAND and Shaboozey are convinced that it is—and a damn good one.

“I absolutely believe that [Cowboy Carter] is a country album. I think, ultimately, she’s telling stories on this album. And to me, my definition of country music is a lot broader than a lot of other people,” the BRELAND tells VIBE. “A lot of people are looking at country music as, ‘You got to have guitars, banjos—there’s a certain way that these songs are written.’ But to me, any song that tells a story could be considered a country song. And so I think Bey checked that box.”

The New Jersey native then spoke about the CMAs’ decision to shut out Queen Bey altogether. BRELAND, who disclosed to us that he is a “CMA voter” on the board, asserted that, while we have made progress in country music, there is still more work to do.

“As far as the CMAs are concerned, I think ultimately, country music, we are evolving within the genre, but there’s still a lot of work to be done,” he added. “I don’t understand how any album that sells as many copies as that album sold doesn’t get any looks when people whose first real big looks from that project are even nominated on this for the CMAs. I do feel like she should have gotten something, but I also don’t think that she did this for the awards. I think she did this for the culture.”

Shaboozey agreed that Bey’s Cowboy Carter is a country album. He then explained that he actually wants to see more projects at the CMAs that are “innovative,” like Beyoncé’s latest release.

“Yeah, it had to be considered country. That’s what I—Even when I made a tweet the other day after the CMA decided not to nominate her, I’m like yeah, this is a very innovative work… If anything, that’s what I would like to see more of in the country, is more people taking risks,” the singer, who has also made history this year, said.

“I was just like, man, it’s a very innovative project. It’s very ambitious, bold, new, and I want to see people take on more of that, I don’t even think she’s looking to impact award shows. Beyoncé’s greatness is different.”