DONKEY: Raymond Arroyo Criticizes Beyonce For Winning Best Country Album At The 2025 Grammys

Summary

The Breakfast Club: Raymond Arroyo Criticizes Beyoncé for Winning Best Country Album at the 2025 Grammys

Episode Overview

In this riveting episode of The Breakfast Club, hosts Charlamagne Tha God and Questlove engage in a heated discussion about the controversial decision at the 2025 Grammys where Beyoncé won Best Country Album. The episode features an analysis of Raymond Arroyo’s criticism of Beyoncé’s accolade, delving into the broader implications for the music industry and the Grammys' voting process.

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1. Introduction to the Controversy [02:21 - 04:00]

The episode kicks off with Charlamagne Tha God addressing the audience about the "Donkey of the Day," a segment where they highlight controversial or questionable actions within the entertainment industry. For February 5th, the title goes to Raymond Arroyo, an American author, journalist, and producer, who recently appeared on Fox News to critique Beyoncé’s win at the Grammys.

Charlamagne introduces the topic:

Charlamagne Tha God [02:28]: "Raymond Arroyo is one of those people because he was on Laura Ingram's show on Fox and he had this to say. Let's listen now, what do you make of that legendary country artist Beyoncé winning Best Country Album."

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2. Raymond Arroyo’s Criticism [04:01 - 04:34]

Raymond Arroyo voices his dissatisfaction with Beyoncé’s win, questioning the legitimacy of her accolade compared to established country artists.

Raymond Arroyo [04:01]: "I want to put this in some context, Laura. Dolly Parton has 10 Grammys. Frank Sinatra had 11 Grammys. Beyoncé has 35. How is that possibly commensurate with that talent? I mean, come on."

He further criticizes the Grammy voting system, suggesting that a lack of genre-specific expertise among voters leads to incongruent outcomes.

Raymond Arroyo [04:34]: "What people don't know about the Grammys is everybody votes in every genre. You can vote in up to 20 genres. So basically, Lady Gaga's cat sitter votes for, for, you know, best reggae and best country album. So that's why you get this ridiculous outcome that has nothing to do with the country audience or the country musician."

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3. Charlamagne’s Rebuttal [04:35 - 08:26]

Charlamagne counters Arroyo’s arguments by defending Beyoncé’s achievements and questioning the validity of Arroyo’s comparison between Beyoncé and legendary artists like Dolly Parton and Frank Sinatra.

Defending Beyoncé’s Grammy Wins:

Charlamagne Tha God [04:34 - 04:50]: "Only people in the music industry vote for the Grammys. But you know, Raymond, if you don't feel Beyoncé should win Best Country Album, fine. Okay, maybe you thought Post Malone F1 was better... But for you to sit up there and attempt to rain on Beyoncé's black parade and hate for having 35 Grammys is utterly ridiculous."

Highlighting Beyoncé’s Talent and Achievements:

Charlamagne Tha God [05:20 - 05:45]: "Beyoncé is a verb. Well, to be clear, because my mother is an English teacher. She is a proper noun, okay? Beyoncé is a proper noun that is often used as a verb. You can say various things to people like, 'You ain't Beyoncé,' okay? To remind folks, you not excellent. You're not as fly as you think you are."

Dolly Parton’s Support:

Charlamagne brings up Dolly Parton’s praise for Beyoncé, reinforcing the legitimacy of her country album win.

Charlamagne Tha God [06:10 - 06:30]: "Dolly Parton herself has praised Beyoncé's work. Dolly Parton is on Cowboy Carter, okay? Remember what Dolly said about Beyoncé on E. News about eight months ago. Listen, Beyoncé covering Joey. I know. What are your thoughts on her version? Well, I think it was very bold of her, but I love what she did to it."

Critiquing Arroyo’s Perspective:

Charlamagne challenges Arroyo’s comparison between Beyoncé and past legends, questioning the fairness of the Grammy voting system.

Charlamagne Tha God [07:00 - 07:45]: "Raymond, the Grammys of the Grammys, sometimes they get it right, sometimes they get it wrong. This year, they got it absolutely right. And giving Beyoncé 35 Grammys over her career is absolutely the right thing to do. But usually, you know, when you voting yes for Beyoncé, you are getting it right."

Addressing Personal Attacks and Broader Implications:

Charlamagne emphasizes the importance of respecting individual opinions while criticizing Arroyo’s stance as rooted in hate.

Charlamagne Tha God [08:00 - 08:15]: "Raymond, all I'm saying, man, is everybody is entitled to their own opinion, but sometimes our opinions can be wrong, or sometimes our opinions can be rooted in hate."

He also references Raymound's criticism from Whoopi Goldberg, suggesting that even within the industry, voices are against contamination of genuine musical talent.

Charlamagne Tha God [08:20 - 08:26]: "But I saw Whoopi Goldberg get on your ass on your View yesterday, and I enjoyed what she had to say. She earned it."

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4. Conclusion and Transition [08:26 - 08:47]

Charlamagne wraps up the "Donkey of the Day" segment by acknowledging Raymond Arroyo’s criticism but stands firm on Beyoncé’s deserving Grammy wins. The hosts hint at the next segment featuring comedian TK Kirkland, ensuring listeners stay tuned for more engaging discussions.

Charlamagne Tha God [08:28]: "That is way too much den mayonnaise. Yes, it is. All right, I agree. Well, thank you for that donkey today. Now, when we come back, TK Kirkland will be joining us. Comedian TK Kirkland. And we're gonna talk to him next, so don't go anywhere. It's the Breakfast Club. Good morning. The Breakfast Club."

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Key Takeaways

• Raymond Arroyo’s Critique: Arroyo challenges Beyoncé’s win, arguing that her 35 Grammys do not reflect her talent comparably to legends like Dolly Parton and Frank Sinatra. He also criticizes the Grammys' voting system for allowing votes across multiple genres, leading to illogical award outcomes.

• Charlamagne’s Defense: Charlamagne defends Beyoncé by highlighting her immense talent and the legitimacy of her Grammy wins. He questions Arroyo’s comparisons and emphasizes the importance of recognizing Beyoncé’s contributions to music across genres. Charlamagne also points out endorsements from respected artists like Dolly Parton to reinforce Beyoncé’s credibility.

• Broader Implications: The discussion underscores ongoing debates about the Grammys' voting processes and the recognition of artists who cross genre boundaries. It highlights tensions between traditional genre purists and artists who blend styles, reflecting broader conversations in the music industry.

Notable Quotes

• Raymond Arroyo [04:01]: "I want to put this in some context, Laura. Dolly Parton has 10 Grammys. Frank Sinatra had 11 Grammys. Beyoncé has 35. How is that possibly commensurate with that talent? I mean, come on."

• Charlamagne Tha God [04:34]: "Only people in the music industry vote for the Grammys. But you know, Raymond, if you don't feel Beyoncé should win Best Country Album, fine."

• Charlamagne Tha God [05:20]: "Beyoncé is a verb. Well, to be clear, because my mother is an English teacher. She is a proper noun, okay?"

• Charlamagne Tha God [08:00]: "Everybody is entitled to their own opinion, but sometimes our opinions can be wrong, or sometimes our opinions can be rooted in hate."

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Conclusion

This episode of The Breakfast Club presents a passionate debate on Beyoncé’s Grammys accolades, reflecting broader conversations about genre boundaries and award recognitions in the music industry. Charlamagne Tha God and Questlove provide insightful counterpoints to Raymond Arroyo’s criticism, ultimately defending Beyoncé’s impressive achievements and the legitimacy of her awards.

For listeners interested in the intersection of music, culture, and industry politics, this episode offers a compelling exploration of these themes through dynamic discussion and authoritative viewpoints.

Transcript

[Questlove]

People, my people. What's up? This is Questlove.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Man.

[Questlove]

I cannot believe we're already wrapping up another season of Questlove Supreme. Man, we've got some amazing guests lined up to close out the season. But, you know, I don't want any of you guys to miss all the incredible conversations we've had so far. I mean, we talked to Amerie, Johnny Marr, Eve, Jonathan Schechter, Billy Porter, and so many more. Look, if you haven't heard these episodes yet, hey, now's your chance. You gotta check them out. Listen to Questlove supreme on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

[AJ Stephens]

$1.4 billion in NFL quarterback contracts. The untold stories behind the biggest deals in football history. I'm AJ Stephens, Vice president of client strategy at Athletes first, introducing the Athletes First Family podcast, the Quarterback series. My co host, Brian Murphy, Athletes first CEO, and I are sitting down with the agents who have negotiated contracts for Justin Herbert, Deshaun Watson, Dak Prescott Tuathailoa, and Jordan Love. Listen to Athletes First Family podcast on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Arturo Castro]

Hi, I'm Arturo Castro, and I've been lucky enough to do stuff like Broad City and narcos and Roadhouse, and now I'm starting a podcast because honestly, guys, I don't feel the space is crowded enough. Get ready for Greatest Escapes, a new comedy podcast about the wildest true escape stories in history. Each week, I'll be sitting down with some of the most hilarious actors and writers and comedians, people like Ed Helms, Diane Guerrero, and Joseph Gordon Levitt.

[AJ Stephens]

I love storytelling and I love you, so I can't wait.

[Arturo Castro]

Listen and subscribe to Greatest escapes on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Paola Pedrosa]

Welcome. My name is Paola Pedrosa, a medium and the host of the Ghost Therapy podcast, where it's not just about connect connecting with deceased loved ones. It's about learning through them and their new perspective. I think God sent me this gift so I can show it to the world. And most of all, I help people every single day. Listen to the Ghost Therapy podcast on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

They want to know how you came up with the donkey of the day. Because you're mean. I am not.

[Questlove]

What did I do? How to make donkey of the day.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

There's a bunch of donkeys out the street. That is why Charlemagne. If we live a Life where we bite our tongue based off who we may have been. We never would say anything on the Breakfast Club. In the words of Charlemagne, the God, he's a donkey. That was. Oh, man, Charlemagne. You giving donkey the day to who now? Well, Busta Rhymes, donkey of the day for Wednesday, February 5th goes to Raymond Arroyo. Raymond is an American author, journalist and producer who appeared on Fox this week, Fox News to discuss all things Grammys. And I let the record show. This is one of the best Grammys I've seen in a long time. Dropping a clues bombs for the Grammys this year. Personally, to me, all right, to me, they got a lot right. Rhapsody winning best melodic rap performance for 3am with Queen Erykah Badu. Dolce winning best rap album for Alligator Bites. Never Hill. Kendrick Lamar going 5 for 5 for the greatest diss record of all time. Not like us. And of course, Beyonce winning best country album and album of the year. Now, there's debates, you know, about all of these people and all of these different awards that were won and who should have won and why. I saw people saying Dolce is an industry plant. People think the Grammys gave Kendrick all those awards despite Drake. And of course, Beyonce winning best country album was going to piss some people off. And Raymond is one of those people because he was on Laura Ingram show on Fox and he had this to say. Let's listen now, what do you make of that legendary country artist Beyonce winning for best country Album.

[Raymond Arroyo]

I want to put this in some context, Laura. Dolly Parton has 10 Grammys. Frank Sinatra had 11 Grammys. Beyonce has 35. How is that possibly commensurate with that talent? I mean, come on. And what people don't know about the Grammys is everybody votes in every genre. You can vote in up to 20 genres. So basically, Lady Gaga's cat sitter votes for. For, you know, best reggae and best country album. So that's why you get this ridiculous outcome that has nothing to do with the country audience or the country musician.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

That's not true. Only people in the music industry vote for the Grammys. But you know, Raymond, if you don't feel Beyonce should win best country album, fine. Okay, maybe you thought post Malone F1 was better. Maybe you thought Lainey Wilson Whirlwind was better. Maybe you thought Chris Stapleton Hyatt was better. I don't know. But for you to sit up there and attempt to rain on Beyonce's black parade and hate for having 35 Grammys is utterly ridiculous. Okay, once again, that's your opinion. But listen to the context of what he said. Dolly Parton has 10 Grammys. Frank Sinatra had 11 Grammys. Beyonce has 35. How. How does that possibly. What did you say? Commensurate with the talent? What did he say? I can't remember the word he used. But basically, how. How does her talent equate to 35 Grammys? Because she's talented, okay? Now, you don't have to love Beyonce. You don't even have to like her music. But one thing you cannot deny is her talent, okay? Dolly Parton and Frank Sinatra are incredible talents. Legends, icon, living. Well, icons one is living. But neither one of them have been dancing in stiletto since the age of 12. Okay? Also, neither one of them are verbs. What do you mean, Uncle Charlotte? Neither one of them are verbs. Beyonce is a verb. Well, to be clear, because my mother is an English teacher. She is a proper noun, okay? Beyonce is a proper noun that is often used as a verb. You can say various things to people like, you ain't Beyonce. Okay? To remind folks, you not excellent. You're not as fly as you think you are. Okay? Use it in a sentence. Charlemagne. Why you following zero people on Instagram? You not Beyonce. Ok, my point is, Raymond, Dolly Parton herself has praised Beyonce's work. Dolly Parton is on Cowboy Carter, okay? Remember what Dolly said about Beyonce on E. News about eight months ago. Listen, Beyonce covering Joey. I know. What are your thoughts on her version? Well, I think it was very bold of her, but I love what she did to it. I was very proud of her album. I thought she did a great job in country music, and I thought it was great, and I was just happy she did. Jolene. Listen, Raymond, it's not apples and oranges, okay? You gotta dig a little deeper on who is voting for Grammys and how they come to these conclusions. And if you're mad at the voters now. Oh, you'd have been pissed off even more back then because you mentioned Frank Sinatra. You know, the year he had two number one albums. He only won one Grammy and was nominated for five. And you know what he won for his album cover. Okay, that's crazy. His album cover, not his music. Look it up. He won his first Grammy in 1959 for only the Lonely and he won for the COVID On the COVID he was dressed as a sad clown. Raymond, you can relate. All right? Now mind you, in 1959, he had only the Lonely and Come Fly With Me. He was nominated for five Grammys, including Album of the Year, but he won for his album Cover, so knock it off. Raymond, the Grammys of the Grammys, sometimes they get it right, sometimes they get it wrong. This year, they got it absolutely right. And giving Beyonce 35 Grammys over her career is absolutely the right thing to do. But usually, you know, when you voting yes for Beyonce, you are getting it right. And everyone is entitled to their opinion. But Miley Cyrus thought Beyonce should have won. I think she knows more about music than the both of us. Raymond. All I'm saying, man, is everybody is entitled to their own opinion, but sometimes our opinions can be wrong, or sometimes our opinions can be rooted in hate. And, Raymond, as a person who can also be an objective hater. I am an objective hater. What you are doing is hating. But I saw Whoopi Goldberg get on your ass on your View yesterday, and I enjoyed what she had to say. Let's listen. She earned it. The thing you have, you know, you want to hold on to country music. Like white people didn't also buy her country album. Come on, man. People voted for it. Sometimes you win, sometimes you don't. Same with the Oscars. Sit down. Sit down. That's right. She told you. Please let Chelsea Handler give Raymond Arroyo the biggest Hee haw.

[Paola Pedrosa]

Hee haw. Hee haw.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

That is way too much den mayonnaise. Yes, it is. All right, I agree. Well, thank you for that donkey today. Now, when we come back, TK Kirkland will be joining us. Comedian TK Kirkland. And we're gonna talk to him next, so don't go anywhere. It's the Breakfast Club. Good morning. The Breakfast Club.

[Questlove]

People. My people, what's up? This is Questlove. Man. I cannot believe we're already wrapping up another season of Questlove Supreme. Man, we've got some amazing guests lined up to close out the season. But, you know, I don't want any of you guys to miss all the incredible conversations we've had so far. I mean, we talked to Amerie, Johnny Marr E, Jonathan Schechter, Billy Porter, and so many more. Look, if you haven't heard these episodes yet, hey, now's your chance. You gotta check em out. Listen to Questlove supreme on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

[AJ Stephens]

$1.4 billion in NFL quarterback contracts. The untold stories behind the biggest deals in football history. I'm AJ Stephens, vice president of client strategy at Athletes first, introducing the Athletes first family podcast, the Quarterback series. My co host, Brian Murphy, Athletes first CEO, and I are sitting down with the agents who have negotiated contracts for Justin Herbert, Deshaun Watson, Dak Prescott, Tua Tongavailoa, and Jordan Love. Listen to athletes first family podcast on the iHeartRadio app, Apple podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Arturo Castro]

Hi, I'm Arturo Castro and I've been lucky enough to do stuff like Broad City and Narcos and Roadhouse. And now I'm starting a podcast because honestly guys, I don't feel the space is crowded enough. Get ready for Greatest Escapes, a new comedy podcast about the wildest true escape stories in history. Each week I'll be sitting down with some of the most hilarious actors and writers and comedians. People like Ed Helms, Diane Guerrero, and Joseph Gordon Levitt.

[AJ Stephens]

I love storytelling and I love you, so I can't wait.

[Arturo Castro]

Listen and subscribe to Greatest escapes on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Paola Pedrosa]

Welcome. My name is Paola Pedrosa, a medium and the host of the Ghost Therapy podcast, where it's not just about connecting with deceased loved ones, it's about learning through them and their new perspective. I think God sent me this gift so I can show it to the world. And most of all, I help people every single day. Listen to the Ghost Therapy podcast on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.