Beyoncé’s country music career has been met with brash criticism and glorious praise. Regardless, Cowboy Carter has recently been nominated for two Grammys in the upcoming awards show. Both nominations Beyoncé received are for Best Country Album of The Year and Album of The Year.
To Beyoncé, she is not the only one deserving of all the credit. Queen B recently took to Instagram to pay credit to one other artist featured on the album. The musician Beyoncé praised was the first ever commercially successful female black country artist to perform at The Grand Ole Opry, Linda Martell.
Videos by American Songwriter
Beyoncé’s Congratulatory Post
In the post, Beyoncé simply wrote, “Congratulations to my queen Linda Martell on your nomination and your contribution to Country Music.” Beyoncé’s congratulation is a result of Martell’s collaboration on the album’s 12th track, “Spaghetti.” Additionally, Martell also receives credit for The Linda Martell Show spoken word segment featured on the album.
Martell and her granddaughter have been very appreciative of the attention Beyoncé’s album has brought to her music. Her granddaughter, Marquia Thompson, stated, “One thing my grandmother will notice is a young woman who can sing” and “I’m very, very glad” per Billboard.
Beyoncé’s album has helped Martell’s legacy and music rise from obscurity. Since Cowboy Carter came out in March, Martell’s music has seen a 1,100% streaming surge according to Billboard. Martell’s streams aren’t the only thing skyrocketing as the country musician has also had a boom in her merchandise sales with the 600 orders she’s recently received.
With the help of Martell, Beyoncé has officially become the most nominated Grammy artist of all time. With 99 nominations, 32 wins, and possibly two more on the way for her revolutionary country album and persona. In short, Beyoncé and Martell’s Grammy nominations are history in the making. Win or lose, the two have still left an undeniable mark on Nashville and the country music industry.
If the pair so much as win one of their two nominations, they will join Darius Rucker, Tracy Chapman, Mickey Guyton, and Charley Pride as black country singers to win a Grammy.
Image Group LA/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images
More Latest Music News & Stories
-
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – AUGUST 29: Carly Pearce and Jelly Roll perform Dolly Parton's song "9 to 5" as The Opry remembers Dolly Parton at the Grand Ole Opry House on August 29, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images) -
Photo by Jason Davis/Getty Images for SiriusXM -
Photo by Shirlaine Forrest/WireImage -
Musician Bruce Springsteen performs during the opening of the Obama Presidential Center in the Jackson Park neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois, US, on Thursday, June 18, 2026. Intended as a celebration of the progress embodied by the nation's first Black leader, its Juneteenth unveiling comes at a time when his agenda – and broader diversity initiatives – are wilting from a decade of concerted attack. Photographer: Talia Sprague/Bloomberg via Getty Images -
Photo by Fin Costello/Redferns -
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – DECEMBER 11: Mike McCready of Pearl Jam performs onstage with Thunderpussy at The Showbox on December 11, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Mat Hayward/Getty Images) -
HOUSTON, TX – FEBRUARY 02: Luke Bryan answers holds a Super Bowl LI football during the Super Bowl LI Pregame press conference on February 02, 2017, at the George R Brown Convention Center in Houston, TX. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) -
NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 15: Abe Olman Publishing Award winner, Caroline Bienstock poses backstage at the Songwriters Hall Of Fame 48th Annual Induction and Awards at New York Marriott Marquis Hotel on June 15, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images for Songwriters Hall Of Fame)