Pop superstar Beyonce joined the Dixie Chicks on-stage to perform 'Daddy Lessons' at the 2016 Country Music Association awards (CMAs), thrilling fans and triggering a racist backlash.
The 'Halo' singer used the event to solidify her interest in country after releasing the track on her Lemonade album and earning radio play on country music stations this year.
The performance was called the highlight of the night, but the CMAs official social media accounts briefly removed posts featuring Beyonce after they were flooded with abusive messages.
Some angered country fans took issue with the 'Single Ladies' hitmaker playing at the show altogether, while many cited her support of #BlackLivesMatter and civil rights as evidence anti-police of anti-white racism.
"Cop-hating, Black Panther-loving and she is playing at the Country music awards?!" wrote one commenter.
Other comments included the N-word and other racist slurs.
The Dixie Chicks, who have been covering 'Daddy Lessons' live on their recent (northern) summer tour, wore all black for the CMAs performance to contrast Beyonce's white gown.
The wife of Jay Z traded verses with the 'Wide Open Spaces' singer Natalie Maines, while Martie Maguire and Emily Strayer played the fiddle and banjo.
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A larger band provided backing vocals, horns and harmonica and mid-way through 'Daddy Lessons', the ensemble transitioned into 'Long Time Gone', a Dixie Chicks song.
Beyonce's performance at the CMAs comes after last year's surprise duet of Justin Timberlake with Chris Stapleton.
Newshub.
