There is little question that Beyoncé Knowles-Carter is one of the biggest superstars on the planet for some time now. It should be no surprise then that "Texas Hold 'Em," the first single off Beyoncé's brand-new "Cowboy Carter" album, has spent more than six weeks atop Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart. This makes Beyoncé the first Black woman with the No. 1 single on that particular listing. 

The accomplishment, however, has been accompanied by a contentious debate over whether Beyoncé is a country artist, along with broader questions of how one of popular music's biggest genres defines and limits participation. 

Where music genres intersect
Criticism of Beyoncé's country turn with claims that she should "stay in [her] lane" or "that's not real country" are couched examples of racism, Grammy-award-winning folk and Americana artist Rhiannon Giddons, who is Black and plays banjo on "Cowboy Carter," said to ABC. 

The idea that country music is a "genre made by and for white people," Forbes said, is "empirically false" given the genre's roots that were influenced by "Black music and shaped by Black traditions." Historical precedence aside, this gatekeeping "ignores the fact that [Beyoncé is] from Texas and the country aesthetic is a cultural silhouette of her identity." Beyoncé's music has long featured a "proud and overt appreciation for her Southern roots," The Harvard Crimson said. Consider the Texas native in contrast to country music stars like Keith Urban and Shania Twain who are "not from America and have no heritage connected to the American South yet they face no backlash for their country music."

Comes down to radio
In particular, the debate over Beyoncé's country-ness exists largely in the realm of radio. While some major country stations have welcomed the first single, "Texas Hold 'Em," the industry at large can be punishing to "those perceived as outsiders or dilettantes." As one major format programmer explained to The New York Times, the questions posed are often: How "committed is the artist to the format"? And are they going to be a "one-time wonder, or is there going to be more"?

As the stalemate between Russia and Ukraine continues, the war is changing life not only in Europe but also in countries across Africa. Russia has had "growing influence" in Africa in recent years, said Gavin Mortimer in The Spectator. But more recently, it has "become evident" that Moscow is "creating chaos in the continent as part of a calculated strategy to destabilize Europe." Ukraine has also sought to "strengthen its alliances" in Africa to counter growing Russian influence, said Alexis Akwagyiram on Semafor. 

Why is Africa so important? 
The desire to gain influence in Africa shows a "growing appreciation of the role played by the continent in geopolitical affairs," said Akwagyiram. The "value of African alliances" and Russia's traction on the continent were underscored when 17 of the 54 African countries in the United Nations abstained from a 2022 vote condemning the Ukraine invasion. 

Russia can exploit instability in Africa to "trigger further political destabilization" among its Western enemies, particularly with increases in mass illegal migration from the continent, said CNBC. Moscow also views African nations as a gateway to accessing "strategically important natural resources." 

What are Russia and Ukraine doing? 
Russia's modus operandi has so far been to "prop up shaky regimes with weapons and disinformation in exchange for diamonds and gold" via its Wagner Group mercenary force, now rebranded as Africa Corps, said Lisa Klaassen at the New Statesman. But Ukraine is expanding its shipment program to "counter the impression that Russia is the only side in the conflict trying to address the impact on Africans," said Akwagyiram. The warring countries have attempted to win over African governments with deliveries of grain and humanitarian aid and have "sought to recruit fighters from Africa," said Military Africa. 

What next? 
While Russia may be succeeding in attracting alliances with other authoritarian regimes, Ukraine can find fertile ground in appealing "directly to Africans on issues that Moscow cannot reach," wrote Ray Hartley and Greg Mills in the Kyiv Independent. Democracy is the "strongest selling point" among young Africans, and for Ukraine to lose the war would have "strategic implications for the democratic world" that would be "both profound and negative."