The New York Times released a list of the 30 Greatest Living American Songwriters, and Beyoncé is not on it. Six critics, over 250 music insiders, and one very loaded omission later, the internet has questions. The critics, however, have answers, and those answers name-drop none other than Kanye West, also known as Ye.

The New York Times critics left Beyoncé off the list because they see her as a curator, not a conventional songwriter. The list, compiled in April 2026, prioritized traditional definitions of songwriting. Collaborative, executive-producer-style artistry was considered but ultimately did not make the cut.

"I think of Beyoncé as a curator and an executive producer," Joe Coscarelli said in the New York Times video discussion.

Coscarelli then added, "She is Frank (Sinatra) plus Quincy Jones plus Kanye West, another person I would put in this camp," comparing her genius to that of assemblers rather than composers, emphasizing vision over pen-to-paper craft.

The unranked list features 30 names across genres, from Bob Dylan and Paul Simon to Kendrick Lamar, Bad Bunny, and Young Thug. Carole King, Dolly Parton, Taylor Swift, and Missy Elliott also made appearances. Notably absent alongside Beyoncé are Randy Newman, Tom Waits, and Billy Joel, proving that even a 30-name list leaves plenty of room for debate, head-scratching, and some genuinely raised eyebrows.

While the list keeps the internet busy arguing over omissions, Beyoncé herself has been busy making a very different kind of statement.

Beyoncé's Met Gala return after 10 years

Beyoncé returned to the Met Gala on May 4, 2026, after a decade-long absence, serving as co-chair alongside Nicole Kidman and Venus Williams. She arrived with Jay-Z and Blue Ivy Carter, wearing a custom Balmain crystal-embellished gown with a feathered train. Inside, Beyoncé teared up watching Stevie Nicks perform, a moment that sent fan theories about her upcoming Act III into absolute overdrive.

Beyoncé has long teased a three-act creative project: 'Renaissance' in 2022, 'Cowboy Carter' in 2024, and a rumored rock-influenced Act III widely expected in 2026. No official release date exists, though fans point to May 29 as a possibility, following her previous release patterns. Whatever the critics think of her songwriting credentials, Beyoncé continues to be, undeniably, the most anticipated artist of the moment.

What are your thoughts on Beyoncé being left off the greatest songwriters list? Let us know in the comments.

Written by

Shraddha Priyadarshi

Edited by

Aliza Siddiqui