The controversy stirred among fans when a country station declined to air Beyoncé’s country song, igniting frustration and debate among listeners.
An Oklahoma country radio station faced significant backlash from its listeners and people worldwide after declining to play Beyoncé’s new country single, “Texas Hold ‘Em.”
One listener, who requested the song but was told “We do not play Beyoncé on KYKC as we are a country music station,” sparked a movement.
On February 11, 2024 – Super Bowl Sunday – Beyoncé released “Texas Hold ‘Em” alongside another single titled “16 Carriages,” offering a glimpse into her venture into the country music genre.
https://www.instagram.com/beyonce/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=17fdd512-1a1b-42e3-aeb4-960b4747b85d
The controversy began the next day when a 100.1 KYKC listener, known as Justin or @jussatto on X (formerly Twitter), requested the song, which is part of Beyoncé’s upcoming album, “Act II” of her three-part “Renaissance” project.
https://x.com/jussatto/status/1757444577416417579
Instead of airing the song, the country music radio station in Ada, Oklahoma, denied Justin’s email request, citing, “We do not play Beyoncé on KYKC as we are a country music station.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/C3WEDARvbho/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=f1ec8009-cf8e-49d1-9662-020cb5c6f413&img_index=1
After Justin’s request was denied, he shared a screenshot of the station’s reply with the Beyhive community, prompting a wave of outrage.
https://www.instagram.com/p/C3WEDARvbho/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=f1ec8009-cf8e-49d1-9662-020cb5c6f413&img_index=1
“This station needs to be held accountable for their blatant racism and discrimination against Beyoncé,” the listener wrote on X. “PLEASE EMAIL THE RADIO STATION TO REQUEST THE SONG. score@scoreradio.net.” Online users, particularly Beyhivers, responded with indignation.
PLEASE EMAIL THE RADIO STATION TO REQUEST THE SONG.
score@scoreradio.net
— JUSTIN ★ (@jussatto) February 13, 2024
As the backlash intensified, the station, acknowledging receiving thousands of emails and phone calls, agreed to play the song. They also admitted to being unaware of Beyoncé’s foray into a new genre.
“We initially refused to play it in the same manner if someone requested us to play the Rolling Stones on our country station,” Roger Harris, the general manager, stated. “But…finally we got our hands on it, and based on the fan support, we decided to air it.”
He concluded, “We love Beyoncé. We just didn’t know about the song…We just were behind this country music changeover…But, now that she’s coming out as a country artist, we want to be all over it…we are not fools…we know how big she is and we are happy to air it and wish her the best success.”
This story underscores the power of social media. Kudos to Justin for fighting for what he believes!