Slayer's Gary Holt Asks 'Why All the Hate?' About Taylor Swift — Then Criticizes Beyoncé as 'Most Overrated Talent'

Gary Holt has a lot to say about today’s biggest music superstars — namely, Taylor Swift and Beyoncé. 

The Slayer guitarist, 60, didn’t hold back while discussing the two during a recent appearance on the Scandalous Podcast. He quickly came to Swift’s defense when asked what should be done about the “Taylor Swift problem,” saying, “I love Taylor Swift. Why all the hate?"

"She's an extraordinarily hard worker. She's super f---ing nice to everybody, and people hate her,” Holt continued. "She's just the biggest pop star on Earth and more power to her.”

The metal artist affirmed that he has “no hate for Taylor” and also praised the 34-year-old’s songwriting skills in today’s pop world.

"Taylor writes everything. And so, I give her credit,” said Holt. “She's a songwriter. And some of these other people, they require massive teams of…  It’s just like a factory of songwriting. Who even knows who did what anymore when there’s like 20 names on it?”

During the same conversation, Holt turned his attention toward Beyoncé’s songwriting and collaborations, though he had harsher words for them. “Beyoncé will put out a song, and there’s 30 f---ing people on it,” he criticized. “How can 30 people write a song, all gathered together? Like you’re not a songwriter, Beyoncé.”

The musician fired more shots at the 32-time Grammy winner, adding, "I think Beyoncé is the most overrated talent on Earth. I think she’s marginally talented."

Holt also slammed the singer’s 12-year-old daughter, Blue Ivy, for winning a Grammy for her contributions to Beyoncé’s song “Brown Skin Girl” featuring SAINt JHN and Wizkid. “Her daughter got a songwriting credit and a Grammy because she probably threw some f---king kindergarten rhyme on one line,” said Holt. “She now has one-seventh the Grammys Prince — the greatest artist that ever was or ever will be — ever got.”

Blue was nominated for and won her first Grammy alongside Beyoncé, 42, in 2021 for best music video for “Brown Skin Girl.” According to Tidal, she’s only credited as an associated performer on the song, not a songwriter.

Holt appeared on the podcast to discuss his work with thrash metal bands Slayer and Exodus, the latter of which he’s touring with in Europe this summer. According to tour dates the guitarist announced in February, their first show kicks off at the Chania Rock Festival in Greece on July 26, with their final show scheduled in Italy on Aug. 19.