ADA, Okla. – The decision by a radio station in Ada, Oklahoma to not play Beyoncé’s new country single, “Texas Hold ‘Em,” has drawn criticism and sparked a debate about inclusion in the music industry. KYKC initially refused to play the song, citing its status as a country music station. However, after backlash from fans, the station later announced that it would play the song.
The controversy started when a fan shared a screenshot of an email response from the radio station, explaining that they do not play Beyonce on KYKC. This prompted a viral response from the Beyhive, Beyoncé’s dedicated fanbase, who began requesting the song in response to the station’s decision.
Following the outcry, KYKC posted an image of their show schedule, indicating that “Texas Hold ‘Em” was scheduled to be played. The station also responded to comments, explaining that their initial response was due to not having access to the song and that local listeners did not want them to play it.
Roger Harris, the general manager of Southern Central Oklahoma Radio Enterprises, offered further insight into the situation, stating that the decision not to play the song on the country station was due to their small market status, not a lack of support for Beyoncé. Harris emphasized that they love Beyoncé and play her music on their other stations.
The situation has drawn comparisons to the controversy surrounding artist Lil Nas X’s hit song “Old Town Road” in 2019, which was initially removed from the country chart by Billboard, sparking discussions about race and genre in the music industry.
As of Tuesday evening, KYKC had already played “Texas Hold ‘Em” twice, indicating a shift in their approach following the public backlash.