Country singer Gavin Adcock calls out Beyoncé over Cowboy Carter chart success

Country artist Gavin Adcock publicly criticized Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter during a recent concert, expressing frustration that the Grammy-winning album currently ranks above his own on the Apple Music country albums chart.

In footage shared online, Adcock addressed the crowd, referencing the chart rankings where Cowboy Carter sits at No. 3 while his own project, My Own Worst Enemy, is at No. 4. “One of them’s Beyoncé — you can tell her we’re coming for her f—in’ a–,” he told fans, who responded with loud cheers. He followed up with a pointed statement: “That sh– ain’t country music and it ain’t ever been country music.”

Later, on Instagram, Adcock expanded on his comments. He acknowledged Beyoncé’s talent, citing childhood memories of her music, but stood by his belief that Cowboy Carter doesn’t belong in the country genre. “It doesn’t sound country, it doesn’t feel country,” he said. “People who dedicate their lives to this genre shouldn’t have to compete with it just because she’s Beyoncé.”

Cowboy Carter, released in 2024, has achieved major milestones, including topping the Billboard 200, winning Album of the Year and Best Country Album at the 2025 Grammys, and spending weeks at No. 1 on the Top Country Albums and Hot Country Songs charts. The album features a diverse group of artists, including Dolly Parton, Miley Cyrus, and Black country trailblazer Linda Martell.

Billboard has reached out to Beyoncé’s representatives for comment. Meanwhile, Adcock continues to promote his upcoming album and will join Morgan Wallen’s I’m the Problem Tour in July.