Grammy nominations: Beyoncé, Post Malone submit in country categories
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Grammys will be awarded in 94 categories. Photo: David Becker/Getty Images for The Recording Academy
The Grammy nominations will be announced Friday morning, and all eyes are on the country categories.
Why it matters: The nominations come at the end of another watershed year for country music, which has a vice grip on popular culture.
The big picture: A bevy of Nashville stars have ruled over the Top 40 charts for months. Established country hitmaker Morgan Wallen and newcomer Shaboozey, both vying for their first noms, notched two of the biggest Hot 100 hits of the decade.
- Meanwhile, Beyoncé and Post Malone released high-profile crossover projects that stirred fascinating and sometimes painful debates over the history — and future — of country music.
What we're watching: There are 79 albums listed on the best country album ballot, according to Billboard. Much of the speculation ahead of the nominations has focused on if the crossovers on that list will rise to the top of the heap.
Flashback: Beyoncé's "Cowboy Carter" is unquestionably one of the most talked-about and well-reviewed albums of the year.
- The megastar said the project, which includes cameos from Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson, was inspired by her experience of feeling shunned by the country music establishment. She framed the project as an effort to break down barriers for all artists.
- The album and its single "Texas Hold 'Em" ultimately made her the first Black woman ever to top the country genre's album and song charts.
Fun fact: The album, which was released in March, featured Shaboozey when he was a virtual unknown, and might have helped him vault to the top of the charts with his own song later in 2024.
Yes, but: "Cowboy Carter" is lightyears away from conventional. Beyoncé explicitly rejected labeling it a country album, blending elements of R&B, hip-hop and at one point Italian opera alongside banjo and steel guitar.
- Although "Texas Hold 'Em" sounds tailor-made for Lower Broadway, Beyoncé was shut out from the upcoming CMA Awards.
Zoom out: Post Malone, on the other hand, embraced the Nashville machine for "F-1 Trillion." He worked with country session musicians and duetted with many of the genre's biggest stars on songs that fit in perfectly on country radio.
- The best country album ballot also includes genre powerhouses like Luke Combs and Lainey Wilson.
The bottom line: The Grammys will be a good temperature check to determine how industry insiders view the state of country music, and how much they are willing to push its boundaries.
How to watch: Nominations will be announced online at 9:45am CST. The awards ceremony takes place Feb. 2.