What's Good Ya'll! I hope you are enjoying The Yee-haw Revolution! As the reign of Cowboy Carter continues to take the world by storm, I want us to take a minute and get into other Black Country artists who have been changing the genre for the better!
Thanks to Beyoncé's new album the doors are now wide open to familiarize her audience with Black Country artists they may not have heard before. Now I know I added them in my last article but just in case you ain't do the work let's run 'em back ok:
Shaboozey:
If there's anything that'll make Black women run to country music in droves, it'll be Shaboozey that seals the deal for real lol. Born Collins Obinna Chibueze, this 28 year old is a rapper, singer, songwriter, filmmaker and record producer! He gained attention for 'Start a Riot' with Duckwrth, from the soundtrack to Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse in 2018. Now with two tracks on Beyoncé's eight studio album the sky is the limit for Shaboozey as he gets ready to release this studio album May of this year, 'Where I've Been, isn't Where I'm Going'. He currently has three singles from the album you can check out, 'Annabelle', 'Let it Burn' and 'Vegas'. However, make sure you don't stop there because his entire discography is worthy of going through!
Tanner Adell:
Born in Lexington, Kentucky but raised in Manhattan Beach, California, Tanner Adell is paving her own way in the world of country music. She learned to play piano and taught herself guitar, then studied commercial music at Utah Valley University. Like all the country greats, Tanner Adell moved to Nashville TN and in 2021 entered the country music business. She gained a following on social media and was signed to Columbia Records. On July 21, 2023, Tanner released her debut album 'Buckle Bunny' (The term refers to female groupies of rodeo cowboys). It was named one of the best songs of the year by NPR and her single from the album, 'Buckle Bunny' is her biggest viral hit thus far. No wonder she caught the attention of Beyoncé huh!
Brittney Spencer:
The Best people come from Baltimore, MD, Brittney Spencer and I would know best lol. Brittney Spencer gained an interest in music by singing in church, she also came from a musical family, her father being apart of a quartet band. However, it was a friend from church that introduced Brittney to country music, falling in love with artists like The Chicks and Taylor Swift. During her time at magnet schools she learned to play guitar and piano. Spencer also took vocal lessons from a coach who taught her how to sing in a recording studio. She began by singing background vocals for R&B and Gospel artists including Jason Nelson. In February of 2013, Brittney moved to Nashville to pursue country music full time. While attending a University in TN she worked as a vocal coach, background singer and performed in clubs and other performance venues in the Nashville area. Despite the opportunities Brittney Spencer still found it difficult pursuing country music as an overweight and black performer. It was in 2020, that Spencer received notable attention after posting a cover of The Highwomen's "Crowded Table" on Twitter and from there her career has been on a high. In March of 2022 she was nominated for a CMT an award so here's to hoping 2024 is her year!
Teira Kennedy:
Rising singer/songwriter Teira Kennedy is emerging as one the exciting voices within country! An Alabama native, Teira describes her sound as 'R&B Country'. In 2021 she became a new artist to watch in Country Now. Discovering her voice at a young age, she went to YouTube to teach herself how to play guitar and began to pursue music. It was in Birmingham, AL where Teira honed her songwriting abilities but it was the trips to Nashville that led to performances at iconic venues like the Bluebird Cafe and earning opening spots for legendary country acts like Rodney Atkins. She was also inducted into CMT’s ‘Next Women of Country’ and ‘Listen Up’ Class of 2020 and was honored by the AIMP for their Rising Songwriters Class of 2020. Teira is only getting started she's at the top of her game and someone to keep an eye on!
Rhiannon Giddens:
A Greensboro, NC native, Rhiannon is an American musician known for her eclectic folk music. She is a founding member of the country, blues and old-time music band the Carolina Chocolate Drops, where she was the lead singer, fiddle and banjo player. In addition to working with her Grammy Award Winning group, Chocolate Drops, she has also released five solo albums. And In 2023, the opera Omar, co-written by Giddens and Michael Abels, won the Pulitzer Prize for Music. At the age of 47 it seems like Rhiannon is just getting started and will not be slowing down anytime soon!
Willie Jones:
Mixing traditional country with country soundscapes such as the steel guitar, banjo and harmonica along with his Louisiana Hip-Hop gumbo, Willie Jones is exactly what the country game has been missing! From Shreveport, LA, you may remember Willie as a former contestant from X Factor in 2012. However, it wouldn't be until 2021 when Willie would sign with Sony Music and The Penthouse releasing his first single 'Down For It'. Now living in Nashville the future is bright for this young artist changing the game!
Now I want to make sure I cover a few artists that were not on Beyoncé's album:
O.N.E The Duo:
When they say Wu-Tang is for the kids, they meant this mother and daughter duo! In 2021 Prana Supreme Diggs, the daughter of Wu-Tang Clan’s producer RZA, and Tekitha Washington the Wu-Tang’s female vocalist, convinced her mother that they should make music together. Their name, O.N.E The Duo reflects what each of them brings to their sound and how their personalities influence the music: O is observant, N is noetic, and E is effervescent. Now with their roots in Nashville, TN the duo has found inspiration with the country sound, interloping rock n roll, hip-hop and R&B into their sound as well. Check out their first studio album Blood Harmony.
K. Michelle:
I've been a K. Michelle fan for quite a long time. I always hopped after her Love and Hip-Hop days K. Michelle would just get bigger and bigger and Spray this new musical direction is just what she needs to open the door to bigger and better. If you have ever listened to any of K's old albums you'll know she's made for country. I don't know if too many people know this but, K. Michelle earned a music scholarship to Florida A&M University (FAMU) by yodeling at her audition. Like I said, she's made for this. As we await her new country album you can dig into her latest single Tennessee, all I'mma say once again is K. Michelle was MADE for country music!
Now I know I gave ya'll a lot to dig into so take your time! But make sure you showing love to everyone out here doing their thing, local artists included! They working and changing the game of so many genres and I'm here for it!
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