I keep seeing headlines about “Country music star Morgan Wallen” and I was like “who?” I still don’t know any of his songs, so I’ll just take it on faith that he’s some kind of well-known figure in the country music world and that he’s having a big year (his current album is #1 on the country charts or something). He’s 27 years old and he lives in Nashville. And, by the way, we’re still in the middle of a pandemic. Let’s say that right away too, because this story involves a rowdy, drunken night on the town. Morgan Wallen and some friends were out and about in Nashville, getting f–king hammered during a pandemic on Sunday night. Wallen was stumbling home with those friends and they were being rowdy, maskless and loud in what was probably a pretty quiet Nashville neighborhood. So his neighbors opened their door to see what the hell was going on and what was causing the ruckus. One of his neighbors recorded what happened next:
So, from what anyone can tell, he wasn’t actually threatening his neighbor or anything, he was telling one friend to “take care of this p****-ass mother******” and then repeats it with a racist twist: “take care of this p****-ass n*****.” (That’s how TMZ wrote it.). TMZ got their hands on the video and Wallen immediately issued an apology: “I’m embarrassed and sorry. I used an unacceptable and inappropriate racial slur that I wish I could take back. There are no excuses to use this type of language, ever. I want to sincerely apologize for using the word. I promise to do better.”
Surprisingly, that dumbass apology was not the end of it. Even though I still don’t know who this dude is – besides a racist a–hole who casually sprinkles the n-word into his conversations – I know he’s a white guy in an insular, overwhelmingly white, sexist country music industry. Surely those good ol’ boys will look after their own, correct? Not so much. To my surprise, Morgan Wallen is facing some big repercussions. In the 24 hours since TMZ posted that video, every major country music radio chain has pulled his music from their playlists. He won’t be played on any radio station owned by Cumulus Media, iHeartRadio and Entercom. SiriusXM, Pandora, Spotify and Apple Music have also removed him from all of their streaming services and playlists. CMT – the country music cable station – has pulled his videos from their line-up. His recording contract with Big Loud has been “suspended indefinitely.”
Of course, it’s not all “oh wow the consequences of his actions.” There’s a backlash to the backlash, with aggrieved white people crying about how “it’s okay when rappers use that word” and I’m sure somewhere in Nashville, a neckbeard bro-country dude is trying to figure out how to rhyme “reverse racism.” It’s also worth noting that Wallen apparently has tweeted and rapped/sung the n-word when he was a teenager, and those tweets were still up… before Wednesday, when he finally deleted them.
Maren Morris with a super-pointed observation. Good for her.
It actually IS representative of our town because this isn’t his first “scuffle” and he just demolished a huge streaming record last month regardless. We all know it wasn’t his first time using that word. We keep them rich and protected at all costs with no recourse.
— MAREN MORRIS (@MarenMorris) February 3, 2021
After learning of Morgan Wallen’s racial slur late last night, we are in the process of removing his appearances from all our platforms. We do not tolerate or condone words and actions that are in direct opposition to our core values that celebrate diversity, equity & inclusion.
— CMT (@CMT) February 3, 2021
Photos courtesy of WENN, Backgrid.
One less bro boy – good.
Farm bro
The first I ever heard of him was his SNL fuck up and the 2nd time I heard of him, is him screwing up again.
I think this is more than a new “no tolerance” attitude in Nashville. I’m convinced that he must be an absolute nightmare behind the scenes (as Maren Morris seemed to hint at), because EVERYONE was quick to kick his ass to the curb.
PS. I’m starting to like Maren!
When Lorne Michaels thinks you have gone too far and gives you a time out, you really need to re evaluate things.
@TIFFANY Only to invite him back to SNL months later. So clearly Lorne didn’t think it was that big of a deal. He was just waiting for people to forget. Don’t give Lorne Michaels a cookie. He’s trash too.
@Myriam. I know. That is why I called it a time out.
That’s all I know of him too. I saw part of his later SNL appearance (why allow him back?!) and got a bad vibe from him.
His behavior is disgusting, and I hope the consequences are real and lasting.
Kudos to Maren for speaking the truth.
I agree @snuffles about MM. Especially considering how a lot of the female artists within Nashville are sort of Stepford Wifey-ish who NEVER rock the boat with any sort of real opinion of their own, or the wives who are simply just absolute pieces of garbage (Brittney Aldean). It’s so refreshing to see her speaking out about such matters like these
I have no idea who this guy is but he looks like the love child of Jeremy Renner & Shia Labouf 🤷🏻♀️
And … there goes my coffee. Sorry, keyboard.
You made me get caught on celebitchy at work because of my blurted out laugh.
OmG 😱 you’re right. I can’t unsee it now. And with a mullet!
Good job I’m at home as I’m cackling to myself right now. Spot on and now I absolutely can’t un-see this. Much as I wish I could.
Now I can’t un-see it.
You took the words straight out of my head. They had their love child and time travelled to the 70s when life was simpler.
You made me lol
This is pretty huge. Wallen’s music is constantly played on the radio. When I’m at my country music loving Dad’s house for the day, I must hear his song “Chasin’ you” at least once every two/three hours or so.
He will be back on rotation in under a month. He’ll play victim for a the rest of his career claiming that this was cancel culture gone mad and the country music market will reward him for it.
I have Sirius XM and he is constantly on the stations I cruise through. I’ve never actually listened to one of his songs because every time I saw his name I would go “ugh” and change it, not really sure why. Now I feel vindicated! (Also I wanted to hear more music from the women of country)
I am loving Maren Morris, she is trying so hard to make country music a better place for women and POC.
I’m following and supporting the country musicians who have called him out, who are, for the most part, young women just getting established in Nashville.
not just the country music charts, his album is #1 in the country, PERIOD. for the last three weeks. he’s the biggest star the country genre has seen in a long time and he’s royally fucking it all up. lol I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a bit gleeful.
Was this the guy whose SNL appearance had to be rescheduled because he broke some covid restrictions?
Yep. SNL is/was requiring their guest appearances to quarantine for two weeks before the show. He went to bars unmasked and made out with a variety of women and took pics well within the two week quarantine time limit.
Also for the record it’s really freaking easy to avoid saying the n word. He deserves to be canceled. It’s so easy to literally just never ever say it.
I am surprised and impressed that his label and radio stations are taking a stand.
Mediocre white destroys second chance. Will likely be given infinitely more.
I am very happy to see shite country artists both unwilling to give him a pass and consistent allies like Maren Morris giving the industry itself some of blame for letting a guy like this even get that far.
Yup. He’ll be put on silent mode for 6 months then go on a brief apology tour, talk about how he made black people explain racism to him, and all will be forgiven. He’ll have a #1 hit again.
Country music fans have already dug in their heels about this not representing how actually racist the whole industry is.
A commenter over on AV Club described him as a ‘date rape starter kit’ and I am still basking in the glow of reading that.
I lived in Nashville and worked in the industry. One thing I would say is the massive switch in country over the past 20 years has been the rise of women in A&R roles and in business positions (legal, etc.) in Nashville’s country music industry. A similar thing has happened in the radio world (though women on the business side seem to have moved higher in the advertising and marketing side of radio than the broadcasting side).
I worked in Nashville as a young attorney and in the early 2000’s and it was crazy how backwards and nuts the place was. I had a good group of girl friends who never left and worked their way up (I moved to NY and then LA where I work now in entertainment law).
As a Nashville native, it makes me happy to see the changes. This never would have happened 20 years ago.
I listened to a podcast interview with Darius Rucker yesterday, and it sounds like he has a lot of respect in Nashville. He was talking about how, ten years ago or so, he wanted to cross over to country music, had a single, went to the radio stations, was told that it was good but that white people would not accept a black country singer. But then, his country album went number one and those same radio execs called and apologized and he said they are all now his biggest supporters.
So ridiculous considering the massive legend Charlie Pride. How many black artists out there who would love to break into country? You get white male country artists mixing rap into their music (e.g. Georgia-Florida Line with Nelly). It’s so stupid the amount of racism this industry holds. I also recall many white female country artists complaining about how they can’t get their music played on radio stations. There were some protests about it at a country music awards show. So racist AND misogynistic.
If you’re white (or non-black period), you don’t accidently say the n-word. That word is part of his normal vocabulary and he’s only “sorry” cause it was caught on video. Good for the country music industry for dealing with him correctly.
Yeah, that’s always my reaction when white people say they made a mistake or the word slipped out or whatever. you know how many times I’ve said that word in my life? Zero. You know how hard it is to avoid saying? Not hard at all. look at me here, not saying the word!!! All day long, not saying it! Super easy !
It only slips out like that if you say it regularly (even if its “only” when drunk) or if its in your head already.
That’s exactly what I was thinking. I don’t like how hateful the last 4-5 years have made me, so I was trying to give him the benefit of the doubt and attribute it to his drunkenness. But then I tried to imagine how drunk I’d have to be to say that word (as a white woman), and I think I’d choke on it even if I was absolutely hammered and had any legitimate grievance against a Black person. It is absolutely not part of my natural vocabulary.
I am almost positive he has already been told once that he can’t say the n-word and why. But as with most white people who can’t get the word or other slurs out of their mouths, the privilege is strong. If we can do it, OF COURSE, they can too. At this stage, you know you’re racist. Modern society has been over this enough times, and they still can’t stop.
Silver lining: I’m not a huge country fan, and having his album removed from iTunes streaming helps my USA Top 100 shuffle 😂
The country music audience is made up of 99 percent Trump voters, voters who flocked to Trump’s racist-embodening antics. This guy will be back on country radio eventually, but his audience will fill up an arena as soon as concerts open back up. If you have no problem voting for Trump twice, you don’t have a problem with this guy.
Mickey Guyton, who is a black, female country music singer, tweeted:
Mickey Guyton
@MickeyGuyton
·
Feb 3
When I read comments saying “this is not who we are” I laugh because this is exactly who country music is. I’ve witnessed it for 10 gd years. You guys should just read some of the vile comments hurled at me on a daily basis. It’s a cold hard truth to face but it is the truth.
I am listening to Mickey Guyton, thank you for the suggestion. She has a beautiful voice!
Just to say out of defense: I listen to and love country music. And I am VERY anti-Trump.
I guess me and my family are the 1% 🙁
deleted
I would never use that word. Even if I were blackout drunk. Bc I don’t use that period.
He used it drunk Bc he uses it sober.
He’s a racist to the core; you don’t use that word without knowing …it’s sick cruel “power” and the history behind such a painful awful word. So…he’s an awful racist.
I agree 100%. It’s the same with that golfer that used the F word while completely sober and playing. He had the same kind of apology and I don’t buy any of them. You obviously use that word all of the time for it to casually slip out of your mouth and have no reaction from you or anyone around you. I would have to conscientiously make myself say these words and it would be awkward as hell. All of these people are only sorry they got caught.
I read a piece about this yesterday that was so good about the racism and misogyny in country music and how it’s still all there but just not as out in the open. I used to listen to it back in high school when I was living with my maga parents in maga county and everyone around me was too. I stopped listening to it in college and now I pay no attention to it at all. I am a completely different person than I was then as well. All of the people that I know that still listen to it are all still the same people and are now the biggest magas.
Well I’m not surprised he’s going out to bars with his bros maskless. The first time I heard of him was when he was re-invited back to SNL. I missed the first time where he was the featured guest but did not adhere to social distancing rules in NYC and the week before his appearance he went out to bars with no mask to go and have a good time. Luckily his behavior was recorded and he was immediately disinvited from SNL, only to be reinvited a second time a few months later to give him a second chance. I saw his musical appearances but I really don’t remember much. And I doubt his SNL gaffe is the only thing he’s effed up. It sounds like there were other instances and the country music industry was just waiting for an excuse to blacklist him everywhere.
I had no idea who this guy was until I watched his “redemption” episode of SNL and my husband and I were both like “who the hell is this guy? He seems awful”. Looks like our first impressions were correct. Also validates that Maren Morris is awesome. Jason Isbell (who is also awesome) spoke out against him too!
The public school district wherein my daughter goes to grade 10 released a policy this year that the N word is completely banned, not to be used even in any teaching context. I was shocked.
Are black students still allowed to use it amongst themselves?
Amanda I can’t remember actually. We’re white and I was shocked at the extent of the ban. But it was preceded by a teacher at college/uni (iirc) using it in a teaching context and being reprimanded after students complained about it.
I can see where they are going, but it makes me uncomfortable that it can’t be used in a teaching context. It removes the ability to teach texts and movies that help illustrate just why it’s so deplorable.
Words matter because they represent thought.
It’s not just the N word, it’s the sentiments of the people when they use the N word. The best way IMO to show how wrong that word is, is to read To Kill a Mockingbird because one also sees how wrong the world was when that word was conversational.
How can you show how far we’ve come from the 60s without showing clips of Bull Connor and George Wallace using that word, with their faces, and the faces of those around them (especially the sweet southern belles) absolutely distorted by hate? Maybe schools could have an Engels Dialectic Day where the word is allowed to show why its history of harm, and then further explore how the word has become shorthand for a set of feelings that cause damage.
But hey, I cringe when I hear phrases like trailer park and red neck because the sort of lazy intellect that relies on them generally struggles to get past any stereotype.
Not that I think it will stick, he is a white man after all, but it was nice to see someone facing the consequences for once. Now they need to start doing this to pop stars too *cof cof* Camila and Justin.
This guy is spiraling out of control. About a month ago one of his “friends” posted on social media a photo of him passed out on a couch, soaked in his own vomit. It was beyond pathetic. Literally soaked in his own vomit from head to toe. Imagine drinking yourself to that level. Country fans, the sane ones, have been hoping he gets help for a long time but he doesn’t care. This is the same person who lost the opportunity to sing on SNL because he couldn’t care less about Covid protocol and he would’ve endangered the cast and crew who are being so careful. But he was out at packed bars, wasted, kissing multiple girls in one night. In Covid times! The guy’s an idiot. He’s self destructing before our eyes.
Wasn’t he hanging out at Kid Rock’s bar in Nashville kissing all those girls? He’s trash like Kid Rock.
Wait, a white guy in country music that is making rich execs boatloads of money was booted ‘just’ because he said the n-word. Riiigght. Either he did a lot more than that or his redemption tour will start will soon.
(There is no way to say that word accidentally and absolutely no reason or excuse to be using it if you are non-black.)
Cue all the weepy white people screaming about “mah freedumb of speech!!!”.
He’s a white man – he’ll be just fine. He’s already given the patented “this isn’t me – I’m still learning (ps who thinks this is a good defense????)” apology and he’ll lay low for a while and then come back for a redemption tour and everyone will fall all over themselves to celebrate how much he’s grown.
If that word is coming out of your mouth that easily, it’s not new and you’re never going to “learn” anything. Not to mention, you’re a grown ass 27 year old man, not a toddler mindlessly repeating something you heard an adult say.
I’m becoming a bigger and bigger fan of Marren Morris! She is fire! Can we stop paying attention to these mediocre white country bros and start listening to the women of country who are killing it and get no air time?! Kacey Musgraves, Brandi Carlisle, Marren, Dixie Chicks, etc are releasing amazing albums that aren’t just about hot girls and trucks.
ok buddy SIT DOWN.
bye trick.
I live outside Nashville, but I’m no country (or current popular) music fan. The first time I heard this guy’s name was a few weeks ago when someone leaked a photo of him passed out on a couch covered in vomit. Now this. Dude is trash.
And just to remind people that Brittany Aldean is a trash human, she is using her platform to not only denounce BLM and QAnon conspiracy theories but to publicly support her friend Morgan Wallen by posting a meme about not kicking people while they’re are down. I will never not point out how horrible she is bc she has 2 million followers and continues to represent the worst of country music.
I agree. She is horrible. Total MAGA trash.
There’s no need to say that word, like ever. Just don’t use it. Look hard at yourself if you defend using the n-word. It’s a hateful thing.
A lot of people who love country do NOT support Trump. Country music has strong roots in the USA and people shouldn’t just put it down. There are also lots of progressive country singers such as Kacey Musgraves and Willie Nelson.
Now, in saying that, you have a lot of good old boy trash too. This singer Morgan whatever sure seems like a bad apple and a total jerk. I am not very familiar with him but I have heard one of his songs which is really beautiful. It’s a shame he is such a loser.
I think Trump is under the impression that Willie is a supporter, too, haha. He thinks everyone loves him.
Jesus. How do you accidentally use a slur? You don’t. He’s a racist at heart, and he just got caught.
Re: the weak defense that claims that it’s okay when rappers use that word, last week, one of my students was telling me about the music she listens to. She’s a big fan of rap, but even she said that she doesn’t sing along when they drop the n-word. And it comes up A LOT in the songs she listens to; I’ve heard it, lol. If a 14-year-old understands that it’s not her word to use…
I bet a trip to rehab is in his future – just to try to save face. If he uses that word drunk, then he sure has hell uses it (or thinks it) sober as well.
He is a greedy bigoted mess. Grew up surrounded by so many of these guys. So glad it is not considered OK for him to do this. Go away stupid boy
Stupid is as stupid does. His sort needs to go away and seek enlightenment.
Well his songs are currently topping the charts on Apple Music so yeah that’s embarrassing that so many people support this kind of trash
I am here to say that calling out the country music genre as a whole, is unfair. Yes, it’s full of “good ol’ boys”, but not all good ol boys fall into the same category as Morgan Wallen. Wallen let his sudden rise to take go to his head and apparently it destroyed a few brain cells because now he has ruined his name in the industry. Country music artists, reps and fans, too, are not so quick to sweep things under the rug, case in point…”the Chicks” (formerly known as the Dixie Chicks). They were at the top of the charts when Natalie decided to throw then president George W. Bush and the U.S.A. under the bus. Look how many yrs they were bumped from any music genre in the states. We country music fans do not take too kindly to our president, our USA, or any of it’s people being trashed so disrespectfully. So I doubt Morgan Wallen will get a mere slap on the wrist only to return to the charts in 6 months. Give the “good ol boys” a break, but not the likes of Morgan Wallen. This is not a case of “one bad apple” spoiling the whole country music genre. I guarantee he will be aptly punished for being too big for his britches and letting his ass override his mouth. I think I can speak for the majority of country music lovers every where, when I say Mr Wallen just bent over and kissed his own ass a firm farewell.