Where did Keith Urban grow up? Internet cites singer's example as backlash over Luke Bryan's Beyonce comments intensify

Singer-songwriter Luke Bryan created a stir after he commented on Beyoncé not being nominated at the Country Music Association Awards during his interview on Andy Cohen Live on October 2, 2024. During the conversation, he spoke about Beyonce fans' loyalty towards her and said:

"Beyonce made a country album and Beyonce had a lot of fans out there that have her back. And if she doesn't get something they want, man, they come at you, as fans should do."

He also stated:

"Beyonce can do exactly what she wants to. She's probably the biggest star in music. But come to an award show and high-five us and have fun and get in the family, too. And I'm not saying she didn't do that … but country music is a lot about family."

Many people took issue with Bryan's comments and argued that his remarks implied that Beyonce is an outsider to the country music scene.

Notably, many people pointed out that Grammy-winning singer Keith Urban is accepted as a country music artist, even though he grew up in Queensland, Australia. On the other hand, Beyoncé was born and raised in Houston, Texas, which is seen as a hub of country music, along with other southeastern US states.

Netizens criticised Bryan's comments and called him out for insinuating that Beyonce has not made country music.

"Be country with us for a bit" she was country before some of your colleagues decided to be to win a Grammy", an X user wrote.

"Hey @lukebryan Beyoncé was BORN IN TEXAS. Keith Urban, on the other hand, was born in AUSTRALIA! You’re really trying to say that TEXAS BORN Beyoncé isn’t country enough for you? Maybe you don’t know the roots of Country music? Or is your racism acting up?," an X user argued.

"Keith Urban is from Australia and y’all basically made him the face of the genre. But the girl from Houston needs to prove she’s part of your world?," wrote another X user.

There was also a section of the people that came in support of Bryan. They argued that Beyonce's album Cowboy Carter is not a country album. Some noted that Keith Urban's career has been about country music from the start, unlike Beyonce who has rarely worked in this genre.

Making this point an X user wrote:

"I believe Urban has been a country music singer since he started making music. Country music has never been Beyoncé’s genre from the beginning. Giving it to her would be unfair. Beyoncé doesn’t deserve a trophy just because she’s Beyoncé."

"Beyonce didn't switch to country. She just threw out an album that a lot of people felt wasn't even country, just to say she could do country", an X user mentioned.

"I think some of y’all need to realize that Beyoncé can’t do everything. Just because she was born in Texas, doesn’t make her a country music singer. That’s just nonsense. Comparing her one attempt at the genre to Keith Urban’s 30 year career is more nonsense!," another X user argued.

---

Beyonce's Cowboy Carter to compete for the Best Country Album at the Grammy Awards

The 43-year-old's latest album Cowboy Carter has entered the race to win the title of the Best Country Album at the upcoming Grammys. The awards ceremony is scheduled to be held in Los Angeles on February 2, 2025.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the album was reportedly selected during a screening committee meeting of the Recording Academy last week. The Texas Hold 'Em hitmaker will compete with Moroney, Post Malone, Chris Stapleton, Lainey Wilson, Zach Bryan, and Kacey Musgraves for the Best Country Album title.

Back in 2016, Beyoncé's single Daddy Lessons was reportedly rejected by the Recording Academy for a Grammy Award in the country music category. The song was believed to be her first venture into the country music genre. She performed Daddy Lessons at the 50th Annual Country Music Association Awards along with The Chicks

Last year her album Renaissance got nine nominations at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards. One of the nominations was in the Best Dance/Electronic Album category. Reportedly, the Recording Academy listened to Renaissance multiple times to determine if it fits the Dance/Electronic category.

At the 65th Annual Grammy Awards, Beyoncé took home four awards, including Best Dance/Electronic Album. With this, she became the most-awarded artist in the Grammy Awards history with a total of 32 Grammy Awards.