Gavin Adcock Blasts Beyoncé's ‘Cowboy Carter' During Concert Rant: ‘That Sh– Ain't Country Music'

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Gavin Adcock's album My Own Worst Enemy is in the top five on Apple Music's country albums chart, but he's not too happy that Beyoncé's 2024 album Cowboy Carter is currently above his own ranking.
In a video of footage from one of Adcock's recent concerts, the singer/songwriter gave some harsh, unfiltered opinions about the fact that Cowboy Carter sits at No. 3 on Apple Music's country albums chart, while his own project follows closely at No. 4. (Morgan Wallen's I'm the Problem reigns at No. 1, while Parker McCollum's self-titled project is at No. 2.)
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In the clip, Adcock is discussing the albums that are ahead of his on the chart. 'One of them's Beyoncé — you can tell her we're coming for her f—in' a–,' Adcock said, eliciting roaring cheers from his audience.
'That sh– ain't country music and it ain't ever been country music, and it ain't gonna be country music,' he continued, raising his bottle of alcohol in the air and pointing to the crowd.
From there, Adcock said, 'We're about to play y'all some Southern f—in' rock,' telling his band, 'Y'all hit that sh–, boys,' before launching into the next song in his set.
On June 30, Adcock posted a video on his Instagram page, adding context to his comments, but also doubling down on his sentiments.
'I'm gonna go ahead and clear this up,' he said in the video. 'When I was a little kid, my mama was blasting some Beyoncé in the car. I've heard a ton of Beyonce songs and I actually remember her Super Bowl halftime show being pretty kick-a– back in the day. But I really don't believe that her album should be labeled as country music. It doesn't sound country, it doesn't feel country, and I just don't think that people that have dedicated their whole lives to this genre and this lifestyle should have to compete or watch that album just stay at the top, just because she's Beyoncé.'
Billboard has reached out to Beyoncé's rep for comment.
Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter has garnered both praise and criticism since it arrived last year, but also earned several impressive feats. The project won album of the year and best country album at the 2025 Grammy Awards, while the album's 'II Most Wanted' with Miley Cyrus earned best country duo/group performance. The album also topped the all-genre Billboard 200 for two weeks, marking Beyoncé's eighth album to top that chart. Cowboy Carter also stayed at the pinnacle of the Top Country Albums chart for four weeks. The album's 'Texas Hold 'Em' spent 10 weeks atop the Hot Country Songs chart, though the song didn't fare as well on the radio-based Country Airplay chart, reaching No. 33.
One of Bey's admirers includes country icon Dolly Parton, whose hit 'Jolene' was covered on the album. 'I'm a big fan of Beyonce and very excited that she's done a country album,' Parton wrote on social media after 'Texas Hold 'Em's' country chart feat. 'So congratulations on your Billboard Hot Country number one single.'
Cowboy Carter featured an array of artists, including Black country music trailblazer Linda Martell, stars including Parton, Willie Nelson, Cyrus and Post Malone, and rising Black country artists including Brittney Spencer, 'A Bar Song (Tipsy)' hitmaker Shaboozey, Willie Jones, Reyna Roberts, Tiera Kennedy and Tanner Adell.
Meanwhile, Adcock has earned an RIAA-certified platinum single with his track 'A Cigarette,' as well as RIAA-certified gold singles with 'Four Leaf Clover,' 'Run Your Mouth' and 'Deep End.' His album My Own Worst Enemy will release in August, bolstered by already-released songs such as 'Last One to Know,' 'Never Call Again' and 'Morning Bail.'
Adcock was arrested on May 21 in Wilson County, Tennessee, and charged with reckless driving, speeding, open container, driver's license and registration violations. On July 11 and 12, he'll open two shows on Morgan Wallen's I'm the Problem Tour.Best of Billboard
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