Country music has long been a staple of American culture, known for its twangy vocal style and powerful lyrics. I’ve always seen country as a genre rooted in tradition, but in recent years, artists have been redefining what it means to be “country,” blending the genre with pop, hip-hop and R&B. This has led to a rise in teenagers discovering a love for this genre, which keeps the genre relevant and fresh. From traditional icons like Dolly Parton and Johnny Cash to more modern country singers like Morgan Wallen and Beyonce, the genre has evolved into something big in the music industry.
When Beyonce released her album “Cowboy Carter” in 2024, the debate over what counts as country music exploded. The album, which features traditional country while blending in R&B and pop, has sparked conversations about what makes a song truly “country” in the first place. I personally think it’s great that she brought more attention to the genre, and she’s undeniably talented, but I also see why some people question whether her music is “truly country.” This wasn’t the first time country music received this type of criticism. In the past, artist Lil Nas X, with his song “Old Town Road,” had pushed the genre in new directions and received criticism for blending “rap-influenced” lyrics into the song. Yet, Beyonce’s influence as a global superstar has made it a much bigger conversation, especially with her win as “Best Country Album” this year at the Grammy Awards. I lean toward believing that music should evolve, and Beyonce’s album is just the start. Instead of criticizing, we should embrace artists dipping their toes into the genre and making it bigger than it was before.
One of the biggest factors influencing this shift in country music is the role of social media, and I have mixed feelings about it. Platforms like TikTok have allowed independent artists to gain recognition without relying on radio play. That’s a huge win for artists who might not have had a chance otherwise. But on the other hand, viral trends sometimes prioritize catchy snippets over meaningful songwriting, which is something I’ve always liked about country music. Viral songs and cross-genre collaborations on TikTok have also introduced country music to younger and more diverse audiences, further pushing the genre beyond traditional boundaries. Zach Bryan and Megan Moroney are artists who I’ve seen gain a lot of popularity from TikTok. Megan Moroney gives a modern yet classic country sound. Her presence on TikTok has many teenage girls listening to her songs, some who have never even liked country music before. Many say she’s the “Sabrina Carpenter of country music,” which I completely agree with because her songs give honest, relatable songwriting. I personally never used to like country music. I thought it was for a very specific audience, and I didn’t want to be caught listening to it. But these new artists popped up, gave a new, raw take on the genre and I’ve been listening to country ever since.
The new wave of country artists isn’t afraid to mix styles. Morgan Wallen and Luke Combs have even incorporated some rock elements into their music, while Kelsea Ballerini and Maren Morris have embraced an almost pop-infused country that appeals to a broader audience. Even Post Malone, who built his career on a majority of hip-hop and alternative music, has collaborated with various country artists and done some digging in the genre himself. Country music today is also more diverse than ever. In the past, country music was made to seem like it had to be a certain way, but these days, people are challenging this stereotype more and more. It’s a good thing that the country is expanding and evolving, but I also don’t want it to become so genre-blended that it’s almost hard to tell which section it fits into better.
With all these changes, some longtime country fans worry that the genre is losing its identity. Critics will argue that mainstream country music has become too “pop” heavy. However, others see this evolution as a good thing, for it has people from all fandoms starting to listen to this genre. As long as artists keep experimenting with sounds and styles while still grounding their work in country music roots, nothing is wrong with it. At the end of the day, country music is growing and changing, just like its audience. Whether it’s Beyonce breaking the barriers or rock and hip-hop artists trying out the genre, country music is evolving, and I am excited to see how artists keep being creative with country music.
