Beyoncé won favorite female country artist and favorite country album at the 2025 American Music Awards for “Cowboy Carter.”
This was Beyoncé’s first nomination and win in both categories, though neither award was televised.
A presenter’s comment about the Carter Family “inventing” country music sparked discussion about Black artists’ contributions to the genre.
Beyoncé’s album has highlighted Black country artists and spurred conversations about the genre’s roots.

The people have spoken, and Beyoncé Knowles-Carter and her eighth studio album “Cowboy Carter” are fan favorites, as determined by the 2025 American Music Awards (AMAs).

Beyoncé took home two more country awards at this year’s AMAs, which aired live from Las Vegas on May 26. The 35-time Grammy winning singer won favorite female country artist and favorite country album for her genre-bending project. It was the first time she was nominated in either category; neither were televised.

She was also up for album of the year. Billie Eilish up winning that award along with all seven awards she was nominated for.

During the award show, country music was a big talking point, especially when Megan Moroney and “Cowboy Carter” collaborator Shaboozey took the stage to present the award for favorite country duo or group.

After Shaboozey noted the legendary African-American country performer Charley Pride’s 1974 victories for best country album and the genre’s favorite male artist of the year, Moroney stated that in 1974, favorite female artist went to Lynn Anderson and favorite country duo or group went to the Carter Family, “who basically invented country music.”

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It was clear Shaboozey was taken aback as he paused and raised his eyebrows before continuing. Of course, the Carter Family members were key power players in country music’s history, but they were far from the genre’s inventors.

This moment highlighted both the current and historical misconceptions surrounding country music, which often overlook the foundational contributions of Black artists and people of color. It’s a recurring theme that Beyoncé’s music has helped bring to light, while also underscoring the genre’s persistent resistance to change.

As fans know, Beyoncé first announced the album during a surprise Super Bowl commercial in 2024 when she released singles “16 Carriages” and “Texas Hold ‘Em.”

The 27-track project became a huge catalyst for the recent spotlight on Black country artists and the genre’s roots, while breaking multiple records along the way. With this album, Beyoncé became the leading nominee at the 2025 Grammy Awards, where she scored nominations in the country and American roots categories for the first time.

She ended up winning album of the year and best country duo/group performance for “II Most Wanted” with Miley Cyrus. Beyoncé also won best country album for “Cowboy Carter.” It was the first time a Black woman won that award.

Of course, Beyoncé is currently in the middle of her Cowboy Carter and Rodeo Chitlin’ Circuit Tour, a spectacle filled with fashion, different music genres and most notably country music and political commentary. The song “Freedom” is among the songs on the massive set list.

The nine-city tour will span the U.S. and Europe with the grand finale taking place in Las Vegas on July 26.