Oliver Anthony, who rapidly gained prominence in just two weeks with his contentious country song “Rich Men North of Richmond,” expressed his views on the music business, including his perspectives on Beyoncé, in a 15-minute YouTube video entitled What I’ve Learnt in the Music business So Far….
In the video, he articulates his dissatisfaction with the sector while traversing past hens, horses, and goats. He states in the caption that he has much to express and hopes others appreciate it. Approximately 10 minutes into the video, Anthony critiques the music business, stating, “I don’t require a multitude of intellectuals and coffee-drinking eccentrics in Nashville to dictate how I should live my life,”
while recognising his error in depending on industry figures instead of his faith and close associates. He also targets his management, alleging that they have dismissed people who supported his vision. Anthony said that their primary objective was to make him «cool.» He reveals that one manager even coerced him to publish a favourable remark on Beyoncé’s country album, which he deemed “utterly worthless.”
He said, “It induces a feeling of nausea.” Anthony criticised Beyoncé’s rendition of Dolly Parton’s “Jolene,” stating he could not endure the introduction. He regarded it as «utterly embarrassing» and said that it represents the decline of society,
with people really engaging with it and considering it valuable. He said that he was requested to create a post to associate himself with Beyoncé in anticipation of a collaboration, but he saw this as disingenuous. He expressed regret about the many artists that use social media without direct engagement, depending instead on content authored by others to sustain a façade. In the video, Anthony contemplates the overarching issues inside the music business, likening it to a realm of theatrics and false identities.
He considers permanently leaving the business, expressing his intention to concentrate on ministry work, while still planning to create music. “The objective is to ultimately shift my complete focus to itinerant ministry work,” he
said, noting that he is doing incremental efforts to facilitate the changeover, since the process is totally self-directed.
