What to Read, Listen to, and Watch after Cowboy Carter's Win
take my hand and let's go down the rabbit hole together
Last night, Beyoncé finally won Album of the Year at the Grammys. She made history by becoming the first Black artist to win Country Album of the Year. As someone who wrote a book about a Black country artist seeking long-overdue recognition, watching this moment felt deeply personal and gratifying.
If Cowboy Carter has sparked your interest in exploring Black Southern art and storytelling, here are some recommendations:
Listen to Songs of Our Native Daughters: This collaboration between Rhiannon Giddens, Amythyst Kiah, Leyla McCalla, and Allison Russell reclaims the banjo's African roots while exploring the untold stories of Black women in American roots music. The first track, “Black Myself,” is one of my favorites.
Read South to America by Imani Perry. This isn't just a book about the South - it's a meditation on how Black southern culture shapes American identity in ways we're only beginning to acknowledge. This book changed how I look at the region I call home.
Watch Queen Sugar. Ava DuVernay's adaptation of Natalie Baszile's novel captures something profound about Black Southern legacy and inheritance. While not explicitly about music, it's an exploration of family, land, and belonging that echoes through every conversation about Black bodies in traditionally white spaces.
Preorder August Lane (out July 29th), which features a subplot about the first Black woman inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame (which so far hasn’t happened yet)
Has Cowboy Carter sparked your interest in exploring this overlooked part of musical history? Have you discovered any Black country artists as a result? Drop your recommendations in the comments - I'm always looking to expand my playlist.
You've inspired me!
Thank you for these suggestions! Queen Sugar is an incredible show featuring valuable stories and perspectives. For some reason I haven't finished its final season; I need to fix this!