Imagine walking into a restaurant that only serves one dish—no variety, no options, just the same thing every day. Not only would that be incredibly boring, but it wouldn’t last long as a business. People crave variety. The beauty of any menu is that you can skip the dishes that don’t appeal to you (for me, that’s vegetables) and go straight to the ones you love (dessert, anyone?).

There are aspects of culture that work the same way. Culture thrives on variety—different perspectives, flavors, and voices. And yet, when it comes to music, art, and creative expression, there’s an ongoing debate about “who belongs where.” Some people seem to think certain “dishes” don’t deserve to be on the plate. We will save the pineapple on the pizza debate.

This conversation has reached a fever pitch recently, thanks to two significant cultural moments: Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl Halftime Show and Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter album. These events didn’t just break records; they sparked heated discussions about who gets to occupy specific cultural spaces—and, more importantly, why we still feel the need to police artistic expression.

The Super Bowl Halftime Show: Kendrick Lamar

The 2025 Super Bowl Halftime Show featuring Kendrick Lamar was a spectacle in every sense. It shattered records, drawing 133.5 million viewers, making it the most-watched halftime show in history. Yet, it also triggered a backlash.

Some viewers loudly complained that they "didn’t know who he was" or "didn’t want to be forced to listen to this kind of music." But let’s take a moment to talk about who Kendrick Lamar is.

This isn’t a newcomer with a viral TikTok hit. Kendrick Lamar is one of the most critically acclaimed artists of this generation. His achievements (just listing a few) speak for themselves:

• 22 Grammy Awards, surpassing Bruce Springsteen and tied with U2.
• 7 Billboard Music Awards and 11 MTV Video Music Awards.
• A Pulitzer Prize for Music, making him the first rapper to win one.
• A Primetime Emmy, proving his artistry extends beyond music.

Critics of the performance weren’t just dismissing Lamar’s halftime show; they were dismissing an artist whose work has shaped modern music and culture.

Even more interesting? The Super Bowl drew record-breaking ratings, peaking at 137.7 million viewers in the second quarter. People showed up in record numbers for the event—yet some still wanted to argue that Lamar didn’t deserve to be there.

Why? Because some people still struggle to accept that rap isn’t just a genre—it’s a dominant force in global culture.

Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter: Breaking Barriers, Breaking Records

If Kendrick Lamar’s halftime show ruffled feathers, Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter set the whole internet on fire.

When she announced her country album, reactions ranged from excitement to outright hostility. Critics questioned why a Black woman was making country music—as if her mere presence in the genre was an intrusion.

But let’s get one thing straight: Beyoncé isn’t just dabbling in music. She dominates music!

• She holds 35 Grammy Awards, making her the most awarded artist in history. By the way, do she and Jay-Z (husband with 25 Grammys of his own) have a closet filled with awards?
• She became the first Black woman to win Best Country Album at the Grammys.
• Cowboy Carter won Album of the Year, proving its cultural impact.
• It shattered streaming records, becoming the most-streamed album in a single day upon release.

Yet, despite this, some still argued that she "didn’t belong" in country music.

The irony? Country music’s roots are deeply intertwined with African American folk traditions, blues, and gospel. The genre, past and present, has many Black faces who have shaped (and continue to shape) the genre. And yet, when Beyonce entered the space, people acted as though it was unwelcome.

Beyoncé didn’t just make a country album—she reminded people of the often-ignored history of Black contributions to the genre.

Culture as a Menu: A Place for Many Flavors

Think about your favorite playlist. If you’re like most people, it’s a mix of different genres, moods, and artists. I know mine is. I have plenty of R&B, hip-hop, and rap, but I also enjoy country, classical, jazz, and yes—Taylor Swift (who, let’s be honest, has become a genre of her own).

Different genres, styles, and influences provide a richer collective experience. Even if reggae isn't your thing or abstract art doesn’t move you, does that mean those forms shouldn’t evolve or exist?

Music, art, and culture thrive on fusion. If we stuck to rigid definitions of what “belongs,” we’d miss out on some of history's most innovative and exciting creations.

Think about it:

• If nobody experimented with sound, we wouldn’t have Rock & Roll—a genre born from blues and jazz.
• If nobody challenged norms, hip-hop wouldn’t have become a dominant cultural force.
• If nobody pushed boundaries, we wouldn’t have artists like Beyoncé blending country and R&B or Kendrick Lamar reshaping rap with jazz and spoken word influences.

Culture isn’t static. Like a restaurant menu, it needs space to adapt to modern palates.

A Bigger Table: Making Room for All Artists

Not every dish is for everyone, and that’s okay. I don’t like every kind of music, and I don’t expect anyone else to. If I am honest, Beyonce is not my favorite, but I respect what she has done for the industry. But just because something isn’t to your taste doesn’t mean it shouldn’t exist.

By making room at the table for all genres, artists, and styles, we encourage innovation and ensure that culture reflects the rich, diverse world we live in. More importantly, we create a world where artists don’t feel boxed in by outdated racial, background, or genre stereotypes.

Beyoncé didn’t take anything away from country music—she expanded it. Kendrick Lamar didn’t diminish the Super Bowl—he elevated it.

The real question is: Why are some people so afraid of seeing culture evolve?

Culture Is an Evolving Menu, Not a Fixed Recipe

From the boundary-pushing performances of the Super Bowl Halftime Show to Beyoncé rewriting country music’s narrative, one thing is clear: variety makes us better.

Instead of gatekeeping creative expression, we should celebrate and explore the flavors it offers. Whether it’s food or music, there’s always something new to discover—you must be willing to take a bite.  And if what you hear is not to your taste, skip to the next song!