On stage while accepting the award, the singer said, “Wow, I really was not expecting this. Wow! I want to thank God. Oh my God! That I am able to still do what I love after so many years.”
She also said, “I’d like to thank all of the incredible country artists that accepted this album. We worked so hard on it,” referring to the star-studded tracklist of Cowboy Carter which includes Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Linda Martell, Miley Cyrus, Post Malone, Shaboozey, Tanner Adell, Tiera Kennedy, Reyna Roberts, and Brittney Spencer.
She addressed the criticism about her decision to release a country record, stating, “I think sometimes genre is a code word to keep us in our place as artists and I just want to encourage people to do what they’re passionate about and stay persistent.”
Beyoncé thanked her family and collaborators, adding, “This would haven’t been this album without you.” She further said, “Like to thank God again and my fans and I am still in shock. Thank you so much for this honour.”
When presenting Beyoncé with the trophy, Swift reflected on her own country music origins. “I will never forget standing here, right on this spot, almost exactly 15 years ago, accepting the Grammy Award for Best Country Album,” said Swift, who won the prize for her album Fearless in 2010.