Several members of the Beyhive have a bone to pick with Benson Boone’s newest album cover.

The new cover of Boone’s latest album, American Heart, depicts the singer, 22, posing shirtless as he held an unfurled American flag.

While various fans were drooling over Boone’s latest album cover, Beyonce, 43, faced scrutiny for using the American flag for the cover of Cowboy Carter. 

A few of Beyonce’s loyal fans called out what they perceived to be a double standard over the reception for the two projects. 

‘Notice how no one has a problem with him holding the American flag, but when it was Beyonce!’ a Beyonce fan account posted.

The account claimed that ‘everyone and their mama’ wrote ‘think pieces’ about what Beyonce’s patriotism meant which included speculation her album cover was ‘”American prapoganda” and “catering to the white Americans”‘. 

Several of the Beyhive have a bone to pick with Benson Boone’s newest album cover

The new cover of Boone’s latest album, American Heart, depicts the singer posing shirtless as he held an unfurled American flag, and raised eyebrows amongst various members of the Beyhive

‘Mind you Beyoncé was using the flag in protest of how America was moving. But we all know Benson got the flag to show pride in America. But nothing for him,’ another account posted.

‘Beyonce held the flag – outrage, this dude – “wow, art.” Where’s the logic?’ one posted.  

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‘Beyonce had a real message to say that would have been deemed un-American by racist ppl. Where as benson is likely portraying the symbol of what evil America loves,’ another claimed. 

‘No issue with him holding the flag? O yeah only when Bey does it m, it’s an issue,’ another posted.  

One joked, ‘Cowboy Carter from shein.’ 

Benson’s second studio album, American Heart, is set for release on June 20, over a year following the release of his debut album, Fireworks & Rollerblades.

He dropped the new album cover to his Instagram on Friday, with fans praising it as the next ‘album of the year’.

It did face some criticism, however, with one noting, ‘If it’s praising the current state of the US I’m out.’ 

Previous artists to have incorporated the American flag into their album covers include David Lee Roth for DLR Band, Dolly Parton for God and Country, and NOFX for The War On Errorism.

Beyonce’s use of the American flag sparked backlash and the album cover prompted Azealia Banks to accuse her of being in ‘white woman cosplay’. 

She faced criticism over her decision to wave the flag amid the current political client.

‘I love her so much. I love everything about this project. It’s historical, provocative, subversive, and GOOD. She f**king ATE this pH๏τo. But what does it mean to wave an American flag during a genocide? What does it mean to wave it as a Black woman? As a Texan?’ one Twitter user posted at the time. 

There was also discussion over the thought she was ‘reclaiming’ the flag. 

‘I hate to hurt so many of y’alls feelings but Black people can’t reclaim the American flag, because you can’t reclaim something that wasn’t made for you. You were never thought of or included in the first place, so what exactly is there to “take back?”’ another asked. 

‘How in the f**k do you “reclaim the American flag”’ another posted. 

Fans pointed out what they perceived to be a double standard

Numerous articles analyzing her patriotic themes were also written.  

Speaking with Today, Charles F. Peterson, the chair of Africana Studies at Oberlin College, observed the flag was likely Beyonce’s way of expanding the perception of whom is considered patriotic.

‘I think it’s a way to capture who has had the right to be patriotic in a certain type of way, who has a right to be proud of having an American idenтιтy,’ he said.

‘Country music has been so successful the last few years of becoming the staging ground for a certain type of white grievance and conservatism in politics. I like that she’s saying, ‘You’re not the only people who can love this country in particular sort of ways.’ The love of the country is not limited to these, these angry sort of ideas that we see coming out of certain parts of the electorate.’

When unveiling the cover art last year, the Texas-born artist said, ‘I feel honored to be the first Black woman with the number one single on the H๏τ Country Songs chart. That would not have happened without the outpouring of support from each and every one of you.’

Beyonce’s use of the American flag sparked backlash and the album cover prompted Azealia Banks to accuse her of being in ‘white woman cosplay’.

She added: ‘My hope is that years from now, the mention of an artist’s race, as it relates to releasing genres of music, will be irrelevant.’

‘This album has been over five years in the making. It was born out of an experience that I had years ago where I did not feel welcomed…and it was very clear that I wasn’t,’ Beyoncé wrote in the caption.

‘But, because of that experience, I did a deeper dive into the history of Country music and studied our rich musical archive. It feels good to see how music can unite so many people around the world, while also amplifying the voices of some of the people who have dedicated so much of their lives educating on our musical history.’

Beyonce’s Cowboy Carter was a mᴀssive hit and it earned her the Grammy for Best Country Album 

She added: ‘The criticisms I faced when I first entered this genre forced me to propel past the limitations that were put on me. act ii is a result of challenging myself, and taking my time to bend and blend genres together to create this body of work.’

Beyoncé teased: ‘I have a few surprises on the album, and have collaborated with some brilliant artists who I deeply respect. I hope that you can hear my heart and soul, and all the love and pᴀssion that I poured into every detail and every sound.’

She explained: ‘I focused on this album as a continuation of RENAISSANCE…I hope this music is an experience, creating another journey where you can close your eyes, start from the beginning and never stop.’

In conclusion, she wrote: ‘This ain’t a Country album. This is a “Beyoncé” album. This is act ii COWBOY CARTER, and I am proud to share it with y’all!’

The widely successful album earned Beyonce her very first Grammy, and she took home Best Country Album earlier this year.