Tag: country music

With collaborations, Post Malone changes the sound of country music

Post Malone mixes country and hip-hop, pushing norms with Grammy-nominated duets and an honesty that doesn’t fit any genre.

How has Post Malone broken down stereotypes about country music?

Post Malone’s move into country music has broken down standard genre lines and earned him five Grammy nods.

On his record, F-1 Trillion, he tells stories with pop and hip-hop elements. Working with Morgan Wallen, Beyoncé, and Dolly Parton shows how versatile he is.

Experts say that his honest approach, which is based on themes like love and memories, speaks to current audiences and shows how country music is changing.

What do experts mean when they say his transition is “organic”?

Lyric Mandell and other experts in the music business point out that Post Malone has been interested in country music for a long time, citing his tweet from 2015 about liking the genre by age 30.

By working with big names in country music like Blake Shelton and Brad Paisley, he connects with the emotional side of country music without giving up his hip-hop background.

Doug Eldridge says that today’s country music likes to mix genres, which makes Malone’s shift sound natural instead of forced.

Who are the main players in the change in his country?

Malone shows respect for country music’s history by including artists like Dolly Parton, Tim McGraw, and Jelly Roll on F-1 Trillion.

His first performance on the Grand Ole Opry, which was presented by Brad Paisley, made him more trustworthy.

Pop duets with Taylor Swift (“Fortnight”) and Beyoncé (“Levii’s Jeans”) show that he can work with artists from different styles and appeal to a wide range of fans.

What changed about his music when he moved to Utah?

Malone’s lifestyle and talent changed when he moved to Utah in 2019. Living in a quieter area, he was able to focus on family and simplicity, which is in line with the country’s tale customs.

His local work, like building a Raising Cane’s restaurant and singing at the NBA All-Star Game, shows that he has a personal link to his new home, which makes his songs more real.

What does Post Malone’s change in genre mean for music?

Malone said, “Genres suck,” rejecting strict names and supporting sounds that are a mix of different styles.

His success shows that artists are mixing country, rock, and hip-hop more and more. Mandell says this change is good because it lets raw, different voices come through.

This lets Malone try new things while staying true to his story-driven style, showing that genre flexibility is the way of the future.

Quick Facts About Post Malone’s Country Evolution

  • Grammy Nominations: Five Grammy nominations, including one for Best Country Album and one for Best Pop Duo for Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s collaboration.
  • Album Title: Country Stars is on the album F-1 Trillion, which came out on August 16, 2024.
  • Important people who worked together: Dolly Parton, Morgan Wallen, and Brad Paisley.
  • Praise from the industry: Lyric Mandell and Doug Eldridge, two experts, point out how natural his shift is.
  • Utah Influence: His 2019 move to Utah impacted his decision to write more emotional, community-focused stories.

Black artists are shaking things up in country music these days

Watch Shaboozey, Mickey Guyton, and Chapel Hart transform country music with their incredible achievements and fresh sounds.

Who’s this Shaboozey guy and what’s the deal with him?

Shaboozey, aka Collins Obinna Chibueze, is a 29-year-old from Virginia who’s really making a name for himself in country music with his 2024 track “A Bar Song (Tipsy).”

The song hit the top of Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart and matched Lil Nas X’s record for the longest-running No. 1 on the Hot 100.

Taking cues from legends like Johnny Cash and Marty Robbins, Shaboozey mixes country storytelling with hip-hop, crafting a cool sound that vibes across different genres.

What makes Mickey Guyton stand out as a trailblazer?

Mickey Guyton, 41, is an amazing artist who made history as the first Black woman to get a Grammy nomination for best country solo performance with her 2020 hit “Black Like Me.”

She made history as the first Black woman to host the Academy of Country Music Awards back in 2021.

Her music, like her 2022 album House on Fire, shows her journey as a Black woman in a genre that doesn’t always embrace change.

What’s Reyna Roberts doing to shake things up in country music?

Reyna Roberts, 27, is an up-and-coming artist from Alaska who dropped her first album, Bad Girl Bible: Vol. 1, in 2023.

She got more attention by teaming up with Beyoncé on Cowboy Carter and performing on America’s Got Talent.

Roberts is totally being herself, not bothering with the usual country music rules and just doing her own thing in the industry.

What makes Chapel Hart stand out in country music?

Chapel Hart is a trio made up of sisters Danica and Devynn Hart along with their cousin Trea Swindle. They gained prominence after winning a golden buzzer on America’s Got Talent in 2022.

Their cool take on Dolly Parton’s “Jolene” totally grabbed Parton’s attention. The group’s music totally vibes with their family and community roots, showing off their upbringing in rural Mississippi and that strong bond to their heritage.

What makes Brittney Spencer a voice for change?

Brittney Spencer, 36, is an artist from Baltimore who has hit the road with legends like Willie Nelson and Jason Isbell.

Spencer’s debut album, My Stupid Life, which is featured on Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter, highlights her journey as a Black woman in country music.

She navigates the ups and downs of her career, leveraging her platform to advocate for greater inclusivity within the genre.

What challenges has Blanco Brown faced and how did he get through them?

Blanco Brown, 39, is famous for his 2019 jam “The Git Up,” which hit the top of the Hot Country Songs chart.

After a close call on his motorcycle in 2020, Brown put all his energy into his new album, Dear Nashville.

Brown’s unique “trailer trap” sound blends elements of country and trap music, challenging conventional norms and transforming the scene.

What’s Breland’s impact on country music around the world?

Breland, 29, made a splash with his 2019 debut single “My Truck,” which hit the Top 40 on the Hot Country Songs chart.

Breland, with his gospel roots and collabs with big names like Keith Urban and Shania Twain, is really making waves in country music around the world.

His 2022 album Cross Country and the upcoming European tour show how he’s trying to take the genre to new places.

Quick Facts About Black Artists in Country Music

  • Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” matched Lil Nas X’s Hot 100 record.
  • Mickey Guyton is the first Black woman to host the ACM Awards. How cool is that?
  • Reyna Roberts teamed up with Beyoncé for Cowboy Carter.
  • Chapel Hart totally snagged a golden buzzer on America’s Got Talent!
  • Blanco Brown was the one who kicked off the whole “trailer trap” music vibe.

Ringo Starr is diving into country music with his latest album

Inspired by T Bone Burnett, Ringo Starr’s album Look Up mixes country and rock, showing his lifelong love for different kinds of music.

What got Ringo Starr to make a new country album?

The iconic drummer from the Beatles shared that a random meeting with producer T Bone Burnett sparked the idea for his latest album, Look Up.

Starr and Burnett, who met back in the 1970s, bumped into each other again at a party where Burnett played a song that Starr called the “most beautiful country track” he’d heard in ages. This initiated the process for the album.

So, how did you guys team up for this?

Starr was thinking about putting together a country EP after checking out Burnett’s song. So, when Burnett swung by Los Angeles and said he had nine tracks ready to go, Starr thought it’d be a good idea to turn it into a full-length album. Starr joked that there wasn’t any big scheme behind it; they just happened to run into each other.

What’s special about Look Up?

Starr’s back with his first full-length album in six years, and it’s got nine out of eleven tracks that he wrote or co-wrote.

The album shows off Starr’s long-time passion for country music, a style he’s been into since his Beatles days with tracks like “Act Naturally” and “Don’t Pass Me By.”

Burnett gave a shoutout to Starr’s music vibe, saying he’s a “heartbreaking ballad singer” and a groundbreaking drummer.

What’s Ringo been up to to celebrate this new musical vibe?

Starr just wrapped up two awesome sold-out shows at Nashville’s iconic Ryman Auditorium, adding his country flair to the mix.

There were some cool guest appearances at the event, including Jack White and Sheryl Crow. Money from his performance of “With a Little Help From My Friends” will go to the American Red Cross and people impacted by the California wildfires.

What’s Ringo Starr up to next?

Years into his career, Starr continues to make significant waves in the music scene. He’s put out 20 solo albums, snagged nine Grammy Awards, and has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice.

Starr is still going strong at 84, and Look Up truly showcases his versatility and love for music.

Quick Facts About Ringo Starr’s Country Album

  • Look Up is Ringo Starr’s first full-length album in six years.
  • T Bone Burnett was the one who inspired the album.
  • Burnett was behind the writing or co-writing of nine out of the eleven tracks.
  • Starr’s love for country music goes way back to his Beatles days.

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