Radio station U-turns on Beyonce song after fan's racism claim goes viral

An Oklahoma radio station has backtracked after its refusal to play a country song by Beyonce went viral.

The star unveiled two country-style songs during the Super Bowl ads at the weekend, but when a fan asked KYKC to play one they flatly refused.

Its curt reply – that we “do not play Beyonce on KYKC as we are a country music station” – racked up 3.5 million views and 25,000 likes on X.

The fan accused the station of “blatant racism and discrimination” and urged others to email to request the track.

Tagging fan account @BeyLegion appeared to do the trick and the station quickly changed its mind.

It said it simply was not aware Beyonce had released the new country tracks, Texas Hold Em and 16 Carriages.

“We initially refused to play it in the same manner if someone requested us to play the Rolling Stones on our country station,” said general manager Roger Harris.

Its Facebook account said the station “didn’t physically have it [the songs]. Now we do. Love it”.

Beyonce is originally from Texas, one of the heartlands of country, and her new album – out in March – is expected to feature more influences from the genre.

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She has dabbled with country before, on 2016 track Daddy Lessons, and appeared to indicate she is going further down that road by wearing a white Stetson at this month’s Grammys.

The singer is not the only star releasing music from the genre – Post Malone and Lana del Rey also have country albums on the way.