Oklahoma Radio Station Declines to Play Beyoncé's New Country Single

Beyoncé, dubbed as 'Queen Bey' by fans, has been an influential voice in music since her debut with Destiny's Child in the 1990s. Her solo career skyrocketed, with over 200 million albums sold and 32 Grammy Awards to her name. Though her music is predominantly Hip-hop and R&B, Beyoncé has recently released a country single titled 'Texas Hold Em’', branching out into new musical territory. However, not all country fans have had the chance to hear her new work on their local airwaves.

KYKC's Stance on Playing Beyoncé's Country Music

A radio station in Oklahoma, KYKC, has been at the center of a controversy for not playing Beyoncé's country music. When a listener requested 'Texas Hold Em’', they received a response from the station stating, 'We do not play Beyoncé on KYKC as we are a country music station.' This ignited a discussion on social media regarding the inclusivity of country music radio.

The Radio Station's Explanation

Roger Harris, the manager at Southern Central Oklahoma Radio Enterprises, clarified that the refusal to play Beyoncé's latest track was due to its recent release and the station's practice of waiting for songs to chart before adding them to their playlist. Harris expressed admiration for Beyoncé's work and a desire for new music to refresh the country genre. The decision, he explained, was not out of disrespect for Beyoncé but rather a standard response for any new artist or song that is yet to make an impact on the charts.

Beyoncé's History with Country Music

Beyoncé is no stranger to country music, having released 'Daddy Lessons' in 2016 and performing with the Chicks at the Country Music Association Awards. The two new singles, 'Texas Hold Em’' and '16 Carriages', signal a deeper exploration into her Texas roots. Fans await the release of her new country album 'Act II', set to drop on March 29.

Beyoncé, Country, Oklahoma