Thomas Rhett recently voiced his strong support for Beyoncé‘s influence on country music diversity and acceptance, highlighting the positive impact that new artists like her are having on the genre’s growth. Speaking about the ongoing debate over welcoming artists from other musical backgrounds, Rhett shared his views on how such expansion is essential for the country music community.
Embracing New Voices in Country Music
Rhett addressed concerns about artists like Post Malone and Beyoncé making waves in the country scene, seeing their involvement as a benefit to the genre. He posed an important question to fans and critics alike:
“I guess you have to ask yourself the question, ‘How many people do you want to know about country music?’”
—Thomas Rhett, Artist. Rhett believes that a broadening of the audience is vital, noting that many people have discovered country music through a variety of artists, some of whom they may not have encountered otherwise.
He reinforced his perspective by stating,
“I’ve always been a big believer that the more people that can hear country music, the better,”
—Thomas Rhett, Artist. For Rhett, collaboration and crossover are opportunities to enrich and expand the country music audience.
“If that takes bringing in somebody from the outside world to introduce people to a lot of different artists, then I think it’s a big win for our genre.”
—Thomas Rhett, Artist.
Beyoncé, Post Malone, and the Evolution of the Genre
Rhett’s outlook reflects a larger trend, as other artists are also reshaping country music’s boundaries. Post Malone is currently recording a second country album, continuing his efforts to make an impact on the scene. Meanwhile, Beyoncé has made history with her album Cowboy Carter, which earned a Grammy for Best Country Album and brought new attention to the genre. Their growing presence highlights a cultural shift and greater diversity within country music’s ranks.
Rhett’s Commitment to Country Music
While Rhett celebrates cross-genre influences, he remains devoted to his own roots. Many of Thomas Rhett’s songs have charted outside the country genre, including Die A Happy Man, which secured a spot in the Top 25. However, he continues to demonstrate his loyalty to country, especially with his latest single, After All The Bars Are Closed. The track, featured on his About A Woman album, is quickly rising through the Top 15 charts.
Inspiration for Rhett’s music often comes from his wife, Lauren Akins, who has influenced every song on About A Woman. Rhett revealed,
“Anytime I write a song, whether it’s [about] heartbreak, love — whatever — I’m either looking at my present day with my wife, or I’m kind of looking back into when we first started dating,”
—Thomas Rhett, Artist. This personal touch is a hallmark of his style and connects deeply with listeners.
Blending Modern Sounds with Timeless Emotions
Addressing his approach to songwriting, Rhett acknowledges that his latest single may not sound as traditionally country as some expect, but he insists the spirit remains true to the genre. He describes the unique feel of the track by saying,
“It’s sneaky because the music is very ‘now’-sounding. But there’s something about the way that that song sort of teleports you. It makes you feel nostalgic,”
—Thomas Rhett, Artist. According to Rhett, the song also creates a range of emotions:
“It makes you feel kind of like you want to dance. But also, just kind of like you want to be with the person that you love. It doesn’t happen very often where a song checks all those boxes.”
—Thomas Rhett, Artist.
As artists like Beyoncé and Post Malone encourage new audiences to explore and appreciate country music, Thomas Rhett stands out as a passionate advocate for acceptance and diversity within the genre. His stance and music reflect a spirited embrace of both tradition and innovation, signaling a dynamic future for country music fans and performers alike.
