Lana Del Rey has a long history of speaking her mind—and to some, putting her foot in her mouth. As the indie singer-songwriter prepares for the release of her country music-themed album Stove next year, she's already started to open wide and put her tongue to her toes yet again.
Videos by Wide Open Country
In an interview published on Aug. 26 in W Magazine, the "Video Games" singer said that, even though other artists, such as Post Malone, Sabrina Carpenter, and, most prominently, Beyoncé, have released country-themed albums over the last several years, she had the idea first.
"Eight years ago, when I was looking to make a country record, no one else was thinking about country," she said. "Now everyone is going country! I've asked myself, should I retire all my snakeskin boots? Should I put my cowboy hats in storage?"
We can hear the sound of her publicist's hand hitting their forehead from here. However, facts are facts—and it wasn't until a few years ago that pop stars began to latch on to the surging fame surrounding the country sound.
Lana Del Rey Loves to Spark Debate
Making public observations is a trademark of Del Rey. For example, in 2020, the singer posted a statement on Instagram criticizing the music industry's standards for women artists:
"Now that Doja Cat, Ariana Grande, Camila Cabello, Cardi B, Kehlani and Nicki Minaj and Beyoncé have had number ones with songs about being sexy, wearing no clothes, f***ing, cheating etc — can I please go back to singing about being embodied, feeling beautiful by being in love even if the relationship is not perfect, or dancing for money — or whatever I want — without being crucified or saying that I'm glamorizing abuse?????"
Many cultural critics took Del Rey to task for her tone-deaf messaging and for singling out artists of color. She responded that the artists she mentioned were many of her favorites. She added the issue had nothing to do with race.
While some of her remarks might be valid, they can be polarizing to the public.
"Now everyone is going country!"
Del Rey's comments about being into country music before everyone else fit a familiar pattern. Given the criticism Beyoncé has received from artists like Gavin Adcock for her 'Cowboy Carter' album, these remarks are very topical.
This is especially true when you also consider that Beyoncé said the album was inspired by a moment when she "did not feel welcomed" in country music and that it "ain't a Country album."
Photo by Michael Buckner / Variety via Getty Images
