Beyoncé's dedicated fandom, known as the Beyhive, is buzzing with outrage following the announcement of the 2024 CMA Awards nominations. The Country Music Association announced the star-studded nomination list early Monday morning (Sept. 9) for The 58th Annual CMA Awards. 

Notable names in the industry like Chris Stapleton, Cody Johnson, Post Malone, Lainey Wilson, Luke Combs, and more will flock to Nashville's  Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 20. However, one leading lady will be missing – Beyoncé. 

The genre-bending artist released her eighth studio album, Cowboy Carter, in late March. Since the groundbreaking drop, she has achieved monumental success.  The 27-song collection graced the top of the Country Albums chart, and the hit single "Texas Hold' Em" scored placement in the Billboard 200 and Hot 100 charts. But despite the success, Beyoncé did not receive any nominations. 

Shortly after the announcement, fans turned to social media to voice their frustration, accusing the association of racism. Beyoncé's historic achievement as the first Black woman to top the Country Albums chart seemed poised to make waves in the country music industry. However, the lack of recognition from the CMAs has sparked a significant backlash.

there’s just no fucking way that bey and cowboy carter got completely ignored at the cmas but fuckass post malone got 4 nominations… this is just racism and there’s no other word for it bc cowboy carter is one of the biggest albums of the year and it literally put country on the… pic.twitter.com/sN477VQDgX

— TAYONCÉ NATION (@getawayonce) September 9, 2024

"There's just no fucking way that bey and cowboy carter got completely ignored at the cmas but fuckass post malone got 4 nominations…this is just racism and there's no other word for it bc cowboy carter is one of the biggest albums of the year and it literally put country on the spotlight again this year," wrote TAYONCÉ Nation on X. "I'm not mad about the entire album because she stated, 'It's not a country album. It's a BEYONCÉ album.' However, I am mad about 'Texas Hold' Em.' because that was the best country song of the year this far," replied a confused fan. 

Many are questioning why Cowboy Carter was overlooked, especially in favor of artists like Post Malone, who received multiple nominations for his recently released collaboration  "I Had Some Help" featuring Morgan Wallen. 

The disparity has fueled accusations of racial bias, with fans pointing out that Beyoncé's genre-crossing success was not enough to garner the CMA's nods even though she became the first black woman to top the Country Albums chart since 1964.

Adding fuel to the fire, a popular fan theory suggests that Beyoncé's snub was intentional. This theory posits that the CMA's decision reflects ongoing discomfort within the country music scene, stemming from Beyoncé's controversial 2016 performance with The Chicks. 

Upon release, the hitmaker confirmed that the album was inspired by her real-life experiences and the backlash she received while working within the genre. Fans speculate that Cowboy Carter was deliberately ignored because it directly challenged the criticism Beyoncé faced when she ventured into country music. 

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"It was born out of an experience that I had years ago where I did not feel welcomed…and it was very clear that I wasn't. But, because of that experience, I did a deeper dive into the history of Country music and studied our rich musical archive. It feels good to see how music can unite so many people around the world, while also amplifying the voices of some of the people who have dedicated so much of their lives educating on our musical history," she previously wrote on Instagram. "The criticisms I faced when I first entered this genre forced me to propel past the limitations that were put on me. act ii is a result of challenging myself, and taking my time to bend and blend genres together to create this body of work." 

The theory suggests that the CMA's reluctance to acknowledge her work highlights deeper issues of race within the industry. Fans are not the only ones with a strong perspective on the nomination list; Beyoncé's dad, Matthew Knowles, also came forward to express his frustration. 

In an exclusive interview with TMZ, the 72-year-old acknowledged the race problem within the genre. 

"There's more white people in America, and unfortunately, they don't vote based on ability and achievements; it's still sometimes a white and black thing," he explained. "In America, there's no accountability for people not being accepting of other cultures." 

The backlash underscores a broader conversation about diversity and inclusion in country music. As Beyoncé's fans rally around her, the CMA Awards are facing increasing scrutiny over their choices and the implications for the future of the genre. Beyoncé has yet to speak out about the lack of nominations. 

The upcoming show will air live on ABC. 

Photo Credit: @beyonce on Instagram.