The Racial Evolution of Country Music

Beyoncé just wrapped her Cowboy Carter era, which saw an acclaimed world tour, historic Grammys wins, and a lot of backlash. So what does her massive crossover really mean for country music and its politics?

Writer and cultural critic Tressie McMillan Cottom joins Sam to unpack whether or not country music still has a race problem (spoiler alert: it does), the reaction to Beyoncé’s success in the genre, and if Cowboy Carter truly opened doors for Black artists. Plus, Tressie argues there actually is a song of the summer… if you’re paying attention. 

Feeling a bit of déjà vu? You’re not imagining things, country music is a cherished topic for Sam and Tressie.

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The Sam Sanders Show is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders Productions.