LU-MRRL Lecture Series

You are invited to the upcoming LU-MRRL Lecture Series event, "Beyonce, Cowboy Carter, and the Racial Politics of Music Genre." This event is scheduled for Monday, March 24 from 6:30-8 pm at the Art Gallery, Missouri River Regional Library (214 Adams Street, Jefferson City). This talk will feature Dr. Mick Brewer, Assistant Professor of Communication Studies. The complete talk summary is below:

In celebration of both Black and Women's History months, this talk by assistant professor Dr. Mick B. Brewer will examine the recent winner for the 2025 Grammy Album of the Year, 2024's "Cowboy Carter," and its creator, recently named by Billboard as the Greatest Pop Star of the 21st century. A huge critical and commercial success, "Cowboy Carter" is Ms. Knowles' interpretation of the country music genre and the first by a Black person to win the Grammy for Best Country Album. The album has predictably faced backlash, most notably by those who consider themselves the "true" fans of the genre and, ultimately, its rightful gatekeepers. Brewer will discuss various elements that have made both the album and the artist cultural touchpoints, what the album's reception means for the future of the medium, and perhaps what it tells us about ourselves.

For more information please visit the MRRL website.

All lecture series events are free and open to the public. Parking is also free, and it is available adjacent to the library and across the street. For questions please contact Madeline Matson (matsonm@mrrl.org) or Dr. Christine E. Boston at bostonc@lincolnu.edu.