Showbiz
Oklahoma radio station responds to backlash after being accused of ‘racism’ for refusing to play Beyoncé
A radio station has responded to backlash after refusing to play a track by Beyoncé.
A listener contacted 100.1 KYKC in Ada, Oklahoma, to request they play Beyoncé‘s new single, ‘Texas Maintain ‘Em’.
However the station drew accusations of racism when it rejected the request on the grounds that it was a rustic music station.
Whereas a few of Beyoncé’s earlier hits could not fall into that class, one take heed to her new single is sufficient to know that this track’s style is, most undoubtedly, nation.
The listener was not impressed with the response and accused the station of racism.
They wrote: “I requested ‘Texas Maintain ‘Em’ at my native nation radio station (KYKC) and after requesting, I obtained an e-mail from the radio station stating ‘we don’t play Beyoncé on KYKC as we’re a rustic music station.’
“This station must be held accountable for his or her blatant racism and discrimination in opposition to Beyoncé.
“@1001KYKC That is completely ridiculous and racist. You guys must be ashamed. I grew up listening to your station.”
The only ‘Texas Maintain ‘Em’ is from Beyoncé’s upcoming album ‘Act II’, which is the second installment of her three-part ‘Renaissance’ venture.
The track was launched on Super Bowl Sunday alongside one other single, ’16 Carriages’, and the complete album is ready to launch on 29 March.
A spokesperson for SCORE broadcasting, who owns the station, instructed UNILAD: “To begin with, we’re a minority owned station group and abhor something associated to racism and never treating individuals equally.
“We didn’t know that Beyonce’ (who we play on two different stations…a LOT) was placing out a brand new nation track…secondly…we did not have it…
“So…as quickly as we discovered concerning the track…and as quickly as individuals began calling about it…we spent a couple of hours getting the track after which including it to the playlist now on THREE stations.
“We love Beyonce’ and have supported her profession from the start.”
Roger Harris, the final supervisor of 100.1 KYKC, has since responded to the controversy in a press release.
He stated: “We initially refused to play it in the identical method if somebody requested us to play the Rolling Stones on our nation station.
“Truth is we play Beyonce’ on TWO of our different stations and love her…she is an icon.”
He went on to say that the station had merely not recognized concerning the track and has since performed it 3 times on nation station YKC.
He continued: “We love Beyoncé. We simply have been behind this nation music changeover…. However, now that she’s popping out as a rustic artist, we need to be throughout it……we’re not fools…we all know how huge she is and we’re pleased to air it and want her one of the best success.”