Beyonce no longer motivated by ‘charts and sales’

Beyonce is no longer motivated by “charts and sales”.

Despite the record-breaking success of her polarising country album ‘Cowboy Carter’, the 42-year-old superstar insists she doesn’t get “excited” by chart positions and accolades anymore.

In a rare interview with The Hollywood Reporter, she said of the critics the record: “When you are breaking down barriers, not everyone is ready and open for a shift. But when I see Shaboozey [Cowboy Carter collaborator] tearing the charts up and all the beautiful female country singers flying to new heights, inspiring the world, that is exactly what motivates me.”

She added: “There was a time in my life when charts and sales excited and motivated me. Once you have challenged yourself and poured every ounce of your life, your pain, your growth and your dreams into your art, it’s impossible to go backward.

“I’m very grateful and humbled for the extraordinary success of the new album.”

Beyonce insists it’s the “music industry gatekeepers” who took offence to a Black woman doing a country record that traversed genres.

She said: “I’m honoured to introduce so many people to the roots of so many genres. I’m so thrilled that my fans trusted me. The music industry gatekeepers are not happy about the idea of bending genres, especially coming from a Black artist and definitely not a woman.”

The Grammy winner became the first Black woman with a number-one country song in Billboard history with the hit ‘Texas Hold ‘Em’ from the LP.

One accolade she is still yet to receive is the Album of the Year award at the Grammys, despite being the most-decorated artist in the history of the prestigious awards ceremony.

Beyonce insisted she is not “stung” by the Grammys for the snub on a track on ‘Cowboy Carter’.

On ‘SWEET HONEY BUCKIIN’, she made it known that she doesn’t care anymore.

She sings: “A-O-T-Y, I ain’t win (Let’s go) / I ain’t stung by them / Take that s*** on the chin / Come back and f*** up the pen.”