At BMAC Event in L.A., Mickey Guyton, INK and Other Panelists Assess What Beyoncé’s ‘Cowboy’ Moment Means for Black Female Country Artists
variety.comChris Willman Senior Music Writer and Chief Music Critic The tide of Black women in country is a phenomenon that much of the world has suddenly become aware of, thanks to Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter” and the lesser-known artists being championed through guest slots on the album.
Does this mark the true signal change that advocates for diversity in country have long dreamed of? Or is the real progress within the ranks of the music industry that could allow young Black country artists so lacking that the current excitement might be destined to go down as a glorious blip?
These were among the topics of a presentation by the Black Music Action Coalition at Live Nation’s Beverly Hills headquarters Wednesday, with Mickey Guyton, songwriter-artist INK (who is a key contributor to “Cowboy Carter”) and academic researcher Dr.
Jada Watson among the panelists offering both hopeful and cautious thoughts on the genre’s progress. Willie “Prophet” Stiggers, the BMAC’s CEO-president, asked many of the tough questions, joined by Billboard moderators Melnda Newman (who oversees the magazine’s Nashville coverage) and Gail Mitchell (who manages R&B and hip-hop reporting).
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