Ayman: Anger over Beyoncé's new songs is part of long history of racism in country music 

So Texas now tells people what songs they can sing as well as what books they can read. Doesn't sound much like freedom to me.

Beyonce is a native Texan. She can sing county if she wants to.

Other groups can walk into Black's music, and We don't say anything.. 😢

Love how he say “ Bless your heart “ in the end.

If you don't want to play "black" music, you have to give up blues, rock n roll, jazz, hip hop, and yes, country music.

The most frightening thing to a thief, is the owner reclaiming what has been stolen!.💯🎯

They act like Beyonce isn't from the South. They act like 50% of African Americans don't come from the south. And the original cowboys were black.

She;s not stealing it, She is taking it back!

What doesn't anger conservatives? Isn't anger their defining characteristic?

Aside from how ridiculous this racism and bigotry is, Beyoncé is a born and bred Texan. Country music is a part of her since childhood.

Refusing to play or listen hasn't stopped this song from going number one on the country music charts. 😂😂😂

Thanks for this Ayman and I appreciate it as a older black woman and love your show.

I listened to the song this past weekend. It sounded more country than most music on country radio.

“Reclaiming Black roots in musical genres that have been co-opted and whitewashed.”

Well said! one day, I know these problems will cease to exist. We all have to stand up for what's fair until then.❤

It's SOOO GOOD to hear racism spoken about and commented on out loud and in public! It's been hidden and back doored for a very long time and until these haters speak out they will never hear how stupid they sound!

In 1962 Ray Charles wanted to make a country music album. Ray's record company did not want him to do it, but he did it anyway. Ray's 1962 album, "Modern Sounds In Country And Western Music," became one of his best-known records and included some of his biggest hits like "I Can't Stop Loving You" and "You Don't Know Me." Ray Charles is in the Country Music Hall of Fame. Racism has recently gotten worst, because of the rise of white nationalism.

Look at Beyonce! Smoking out the racists! You go girl, show them how its done! You got a fast car!

It's amazing how something as simple as a song brings put people's true side. If you like it cool , if not, don't buy it.

Beyonce has put a new funk style to country music and we are for it. Go girl.

"And to anyone who says otherwise, well ... Bless your heart"! Perfectly spoken!

Sounds like some folks are angry that she and most African Americans can do and sing it ALL! And excel!

I'm from Tennessee, where country music, cowboy boots and hats have always been a part of our culture in the south no matter your race/color. That's never going to change.🤷🏾‍♀️

Thanks for talking about this!!

Thank you, Beyoncé! Show the racists that you don’t fear them. ❤❤❤

So Country Singers can steal or remake Black R&B songs but a Black Superstar from TX can't sing or make country music? Make it make sense! How songs did Elvis Presley steal??

How can a country music station not know when new country music is released? Sounds like a cop out to me.

So true. Thank you for bringing this awareness to the masses. 🌿

Music is the language of the universe and our souls. Racists have no soul or place in this universe.

Let’s not forget “Elvis” and where his rock & roll came from😮

It’s funny there will be no country music if it wasn’t for black Americans but yet white America holds country music like they created the genre.

Thank you Beyonce for taking this L and exposing what people think and say behind closed doors. We still have a ways to go for ppl to stop making a big deal about race

Isn't she a Texas native? Leave that girl alone n let her sing about home!

It was black women who created every iconic southern food dish. Look it up. Who did the cooking on the plantations? Not the white women!

Jimmie Rodgers, sometimes called the father of country music, was known for combining the blues, gospel, jazz, cowboy, and folk styles in his songs Country music has roots in African American jazz and blues of the south. Present a brief overview of jazz and the blues to students, introducing its basic structure and form through a listening exercise:

Thanks for this very informative info, c❤❤❤ Love this song! 🥰🥰🥰

I love when artists like Beyonce and Taylor Swift experiment with different genres. That's what artists do.

I am a white country music lover, but I love soul, rap, R&B, pop, and other music too. Not all white country music lovers are racist! I blame the radio stations, let her music play, and let the listeners judge. Please be respectful!

This is what happen when a system refuse to teach correct history.

Well reported and Thank You Kindly! 😊

As a white boy born and raised in West Texas, I am, and always have been, utterly _appalled_ at the racism, against _anyone_ that isn't white, that I grew up surrounded by, and the racism that continues on in Texas. I have become more and more ashamed of my home state as I get older and as time marches on. Next you'll tell me they'll start driving out _female_ country singers like Reba McEntire and Faith Hill- oh wait, they already tried to drive The Chicks out because how dare they disagree with a President _in a country where you absolutely have the freedom and even encouragement to disagree with your President whenever, wherever you want, on whatever topic you choose_ - like way too many people already do with _our current President_ - so I guess I shouldn't be surprised this happened, and that racism continues happening...not surprised, just incredibly disappointed. And still ashamed. I can't have pride in my home state anymore. When will this nightmare end...wake me up when September ends. Or rather, when November ends. (But only _after_ I cast my ballot in the upcoming election, of course!) Can't listen to or sing the songs you want to - can't read the books you want to - women aren't even allowed bodily autonomy - what the heck am I supposed to be proud of about Texas today? _What freedom, Texas?_ The 'freedom' to live and pass on, on _an old white man's terms_ - rather than _one's one_ terms? Disgraceful. I state again: I am _ashamed._

Do they realize this is 2024?

Bey said, "Hold my cowboy hat." 😁

I am a conservative (libertarian actually) and I like the song. Not all conservatives are racist despite all of the overgeneralizations. And I am married to a black man.

Did they forget about Charlie pride? He was a country singer. And he was black

WHY doesn't Texas talk more about the Black Cowboy 💭🤔🤠 Texas has had more brown skinned Cowboys than White Cowboy's but we never hear about their contributions to Texas.

The hypocrisy here is that country radio doesn’t even play country music anymore, let alone Beyoncé. Also, who listens to radio stations anymore anyways ??

Good information! Keep up the good work.

"Bless your heart" was icing on the cake ❤

Shes Texan & its not her first country song. Darius Rutger switched to country does anyone cry about that.

Cannot talk about black country artists, without mentioning DeFord Bailey, who back in the 1920's and 30's was a frequent guest on the Grand Ole Opry, he was and is still one of the best harmonica players of all times 👍🤓👍🎶🎵🎶🎵🎼

THANK YOU SIR FOR SETTING THE FACTS STRAIGHT. NO SURPRISE THOUGH. 21ST CENTURY. STILL.

"Bless your heart" Nailed it.

Sad after 500 years were still going through this

Bless your heart indeed.

I've always wondered why she hadn't ventured into country music before now.

Music isn't supposed to have a color. If you like it then listen to it, sing it, enjoy it. Music is for everybody.

Texas Hold'em actually has the structure musically as old country. This crap that they call country now is just pop- music with a southern twang. Why do you think it was so easy for Taylor Swift to crossover.

My daddy was a real Black cowboy. He was born and raised in Rockdale, Texas. His grandfather had a ranch where he broke horses and my dad grew up there. He wore a Stetson hat and Alligator boots, and loved his Western movies.

Beyonce really knows how to sing Country. SALUTE !

I remember reading that Ella Fitzgerald loved country music, Like Duke Ellington said " theres only two kinds of music, good and bad "

Do your thing Beyonce. There is nothing wrong with black people singing country any more than white people doing rap or R&B. Let the haters hate... it's what they do.

Hello yall..😊 Im a 56 year old born and raised Minnesota . As a white loving good old country music I like Texas Hold'em.I think its good to see a artist transfer to country. Charlie Pride was also a favorite of mine...I just wish the R word would go away.❤

Cant forget about Aaron Neville who is a black country singer who has been around for sometime now

This will not go well, racists gonna be racist

None of this is going to stop her from making the music she wants to. The woman is even born and raised in Texas. All media attention does is make her even more famous. 💯

Love this❤ thank you for the honesty

I highly recommend the cd Rhythm, Country & Blues...it pairs legendary R&B performers with legendary country performers for duets.

I really hate racism, she can sing any kind of song that she sees fit to and she will undoubtedly do it well and excel as she always does!

I'm gonna request this song in every country station I don't listen to.

Check your history, I mean our history😂😂

Beyonce is wonderful!! I’m 76. White. She did country!! Get over it haters and racists. There’s no place for you here.

Hey, Music Major and music teacher here… and a white boy who grew up around a lot of country music… Ayman is 100% correct about the banjo and the roots of country music

@MSNBC, it’s Black History Month. Why don’t you do a special on how minstrel shows contributed to modern day country? For those who aren’t aware country began on the plantation and in Black towns, and then white people made fun of it in their minstrel and then they kept using the music after those type of shows went out of Vogue. That is the history of country music.

Thank you for the knowledge! This is real talk!

It's the 1950's now for women in Texas.For black women,it's probably the 1930's.

This is crazy - Texas Hold’em is catchy, danceable, and has strong lyrics. Why on earth would people deny themselves enjoying a good song because of skin color?

What's hilarious is that a huge chunk of modern country music doesn't qualify as country music either. That bro-country stuff is just pop music with a southern accent. A lot of those songs even have raps in them. Yet, they won't let her on because by their standards she's considered too 'urban' (aka she's black 🙄)

Thank you for giving that history lesson Bcuz they think we forgot what our ancestors created We didn’t

Good Reporting ❤

The country fans have shown us who they are, believe them.

Someone should make a movie about how country music was stolen from black prisoners. It’s not uncommon for thieves to take what they want and rewrite history.

Excellent Reporting ❤

Did he just say bless your heart? That will go over a lot of people's heads!!🤣😂🤣

LOL, are radio stations even relevant anymore? We have streaming services and listen to whatever we like.

Country music originated in and from Africa where is still be played to date in eastern Nigeria , known as Egwu Ekperi ]

Thank You for speaking Up.

My roots are from the south like many black ppl. Those of us that know the history of black ppl in country music, know the racism & prejudice thats occurring right now.

The irony is that Black people are the one who made that music. Blues, Jazz, Soul, Reggae, classic music, Rock … all genre have been created by black people. So no one can tell us black people to not sing what we created that’s our direct connection with our ancestors.

We going to continue playing country Beyoncé! ❤

You got me at the emd there!

Who knew a truck and a dog were that important to folks.

I am glad here in Germany we just love her music, whatever genre she is in at the moment! Her voice is just iconic! ❤

"Go listen to Texas Hold 'Em, it's good country music"…lol..…no….no I will not. Have a great day!!!

Everyone appropriates everything that we, as Black people, have and do. Now, when we appropriate something that certain people think only belongs to them, they get upset. Remember, the banjo came from Africans!!

I'm not even a big Bey fan and I don’t listen to country music but I purchased this music to support her! If conservatives are mad about it, it must be good! 😅

Beyoncé is a Texan.She sings country because she is country.Beyoncé could sing the phone book make it sound good and sell millions of copies.She’s talented.

Shocking newsflash, like rock ‘n’ roll, country music’s American roots begin with black Americans in the south even the old-school white country musicians credited the black country musicians. Also the banjo that’s often associated with country music is a west African instrument and most slaves were taken from West Africa.

Thank you❤

It seems that most country music fans aren't aware of the deep history and influence by Black people of their favorite music genre.