US singer Beyoncé is not 'bandwagoning' on country music with her latest releases.
The star unveiled two country-style songs during Super Bowl ads last weekend.
'Texas Hold Em' and '16 Carriages' are to feature on her next album, 'Renaissance Act II', which is due out in March.
Today FM Presenter Claire Beck told Moncrieff there were odes to country music in her first 'Renaissance' album.
"There was hints of country in it; there was the disco horse, she was wearing the cowboy hat," she said.
"It seems, judging by the first two tracks that we've got, that 'Renaissance Act II' could well be a country album.
"It's not her first country song, she had a wonderful song on her 'Lemonade' album called 'Daddy Lessons'.
"This song was submitted in 2016 to the Country Music Awards and it was rejected because it was not a country song."
Beck said there was some push back against her new songs, when an Oklahoma radio station refused to play them.
The station initially said it was a "country music station", before explaining it simply was not aware Beyoncé had released the new tracks.
"There's a lot of racism in the American country music scene," Beck said.
"Famously a few years ago when Lil Nas X had a breakout hit, 'Old Town Road', it was top of the charts - I believe it was the Billboard Country Charts - they were like, 'It's not a country song'.
"Billy Ray Cyrus phoned up Lil Nas X and said, 'Let's do a remix' and the version with him was then allowed on."
Beck said Beyoncé mightn't make to it Irish shores this year.
"I can't see her playing Electric Picnic because she's going to be doing a huge, spectacular [tour] if she tours 'Renaissance Act II'," she said.
"I went to Edinburgh for the 'Renaissance Act I' tour and it was in Murrayfield and I don't know where [in Ireland she would play].
"Croker, maybe."
Beyoncé Knowles is seen in the 2023 film, 'Renaissance'. Image: TCD/Prod.DB / AlamyBeck said the 'Crazy in Love' singer shouldn't be pigeonholed.
"She's from Texas, she's not bandwagoning on this," she said.
"This is in her blood, not that it matters.
"So what if an artist goes into a new genre? If an artist goes into a new genre why does anyone care?
"Why are we gatekeeping great music?"
Beck said there is likely 'a bit of snobbery there' as well.
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