The Grammy nominations for 2025 were revealed, and while there were a few bright spots in the American Roots categories, the country categories are nothing short of an embarrassment. With big names like Beyoncé dominating the nominations, it’s clear the Grammys are abandoning true country talent in favor of pop and hip-hop stars looking to cash in on country’s newfound popularity.
How is it that the likes of Zach Top and other real country artists are completely snubbed, while pop stars with no genuine roots in the genre take center stage? Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter—which she herself has declared is not a country album—has earned multiple nominations in the country categories. This album has zero business being there, yet the Grammys are still pushing them as if they represent the genre.
The irony? Country music has never sounded more country in recent years. It’s a time of resurgence, yet it’s the outsiders—pop and hip-hop stars—who are getting rewarded, not the artists who are keeping the genre alive. The Grammys should represent the heart of country music, but instead, they’re turning their back on it, pushing it aside for the latest trend.
It’s a slap in the face to fans who know what real country music sounds like. The Grammys should be a place where country artists are celebrated, not a place where pop stars get to waltz in and take home trophies for playing dress-up in cowboy hats. If we keep letting the Grammys turn country into just another pop category, what’s next?
Country music deserves better. It’s time for the Grammys to stop pushing pop stars onto the country stage and start recognizing the artists who actually represent the genre.
