Beyoncé performs at CMA Awards with Natalie Maines of the Dixie Chicks (CMA/ABC Screen grab)
The Country Music Association is refuting claims it removed all traces of Beyoncé’s award show performance with the Dixie Chicks from its social media.
Atlanta Black Star reported country music fans unleashed racist insults against the “Lemonade” record maker after she took the stage during the CMA Awards Nov. 2. Among other things, followers called Beyoncé a cop hater and the n-word.
The backlash seemed to cause the organization to delete any mention of Beyoncé and her song “Daddy Lessons” from its Twitter, Facebook and YouTube accounts.
Because of that, members of the BeyHive took aim at the CMA online.
@dannyyonce felt confused by the organization seeming to include Bey for ratings and then zapping her from their web presence.
https://twitter.com/dannyyonce/status/794286379568103424
Tay pointed out that pop singer Ariana Grande’s 2014 CMA performance with country band Little Big Town remained posted. The remark nixed the argument that the issue isn’t race related.
People are saying Beyonce performing at the CMA's isn't about color but genre, but when @ArianaGrande performed they didn't delete her stuff
— Tay (@grandecole) November 3, 2016
And last year, pop-R&B crooner Justin Timberlake’s performance with country singer Chris Stapleton was widely praised, according to Billboard.
TV producer Shonda Rhimes felt the CMA caved to “ignorant racists.”
Love @Beyonce & love @dixiechicks — did @CountryMusic SERIOUSLY try 2 cover this up 2 pander to ignorant racists? https://t.co/2Qpbt6asTa
— shonda rhimes (@shondarhimes) November 4, 2016
Dixie Chicks’ lead singer Natalie Maines also criticized the CMA with this tweet.
https://twitter.com/1NatalieMaines/status/794303040308191233
BeyHive comments also spilled onto Facebook, including videos that highlighted major events from the 50th annual ceremony.
Dale Donaldson deemed naysayers “racist klan fans” of the CMA Awards.
Meanwhile, Alex Calhoun described the agony of “racist white [Donald] Trump supporters” over Bey’s highly rated performance.
And, Beyoncé’s fandom filled the association’s Instagram comments with bees and lemon emoji – referring to her newest album‘s title and her nickname, Bey.
After the criticism, the CMA shared Beyoncé’s performance from the Dixie Chick’s Facebook page Wednesday afternoon.
They also added an image of the “Daddy Lessons” stream on Instagram.
However, the CMA maintains they did not remove any footage of the singer’s set to begin with.
“CMA has not erased any mentions of Beyoncé’s performance on the CMA Awards,” the statement read. “In advance of the broadcast, CMA removed a five-second promotional clip from ABC.com and CMA’s Facebook page. The promo was unapproved and CMA removed it prior to the broadcast. Beyoncé’s performance with Dixie Chicks was a highlight of the evening and we are continuing to share the amazing full-length performance clip via our official social channels.”
Additionally, a glimpse on ABC.com reveals the 6-minute performance is available for streaming. But fans don’t buy the association’s statement.
Jasper Taylor deemed it “bs.”
@Bey_Legion they full of shit all that is bs
— Jasper Taylor (@JasperTay101) November 3, 2016
And Dominique called it “shady.”
@Bey_Legion shady af
— Dominique (@_itsDominique__) November 4, 2016
