Country music star John Rich has publicly criticized Beyoncé's 2025 Grammy win for Best Country Album, calling it a "total joke" and suggesting the award should have gone to Lainey Wilson's "Whirlwind."

Rich, one half of the duo Big & Rich, claims the win reflects industry politics rather than musical merit. He alleged that record labels make voting deals, stating, "Labels/publishers all have blocks of votes. They make deals with each other... It has ZERO to do with who made the best music."

The controversy has divided the country music community. Kelsea Ballerini defended Beyoncé's nomination, arguing that "you don't have to be a country artist to make a country record" and that having respected artists from other genres embrace country music should be celebrated.

Critics have questioned the legitimacy of Beyoncé's win, referencing Jay-Z's previous criticism of the Grammys for never awarding his wife Album of the Year, despite her holding the record for most Grammy wins in history.

In her acceptance speech, Beyoncé addressed the controversy, stating, "Sometimes I think genre is a code word to keep us in our places as artists," and encouraged artists to pursue their passions regardless of genre boundaries.

The debate continues to highlight broader discussions about genre boundaries, industry politics, and inclusivity in country music.

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