Kane Brown Is Not Diversity for Country, He’s The Death Of Diversity
It should be the insistence of everyone, everywhere, in every sector of the economy, in every segment of culture, that everyone receives equal treatment and opportunity, regardless of their race, gender, sexual orientation, religious, or political affiliation when it comes to their worldly pursuits. Of course this is more of an ideal than a reality, which is the reason equality should always be insisted upon, and roadblocks to equality should continue to be identified and ferreted out of the system.
But that shouldn’t mean that individuals who happen to be in a minority class should be free from criticism, or that criticism of a minority class should only be chalked up as bigotry or racism, especially since criticism is a necessary and healthy exercise for both artists and the public in the artistic realm. Excluding an artist from criticism is inequality.
Whenever an artist releases a new record, their handlers often work with the press to craft what the narrative behind the release will be. In most modern instances, this has less to do with the music, and more to do with an artist’s personal life or background. With Kane Brown, the narrative has become how oppressed he’s been, and the supposed uphill climb he faced to get to the top of mainstream country, and specifically because he’s of mixed race. For example, Rolling Stone Country coined Kane Brown country’s new “Outcast King.” Now that Kane Brown’s newest record Experiment has topped all album charts at #1 upon its debut, this seems like an especially inappropriate label.
The truth of the matter is that nobody has benefited more from the slanted and insular mainstream country system, the fuzzy math of the streaming era, and the political bias pervading all entertainment media at the moment than Kane Brown, and to the tune of becoming arguably the hottest artist in all of “country” music, despite the media still trying to cast him as outcast, an underdog, and the victim of oppression.
Similarly, despite the media’s insistence to the importance Kane Brown has to country music as a symbol of diversity, there is also nobody currently more responsible in mainstream country music for homogenizing the format than Kane Brown. The wide popularity of his music that is decidedly more R&B and pop than anything else isn’t the presence of diversity in country music, it’s the death of diversity across all popular American music formats as everything devolves into the same pop/R&B/EDM sound profile regardless of genre, or the spot on the radio dial.
In a particularly fawning, slavish, and politically-bias puff piece composed by Marissa R. Moss for Billboard, any opposition to Kane Brown and his music is couched as nothing more than Trump-era fear by country fans who don’t like Kane Brown for the way he looks. The article starts off as a slice of life vignette as Kane Brown prepared to appear on the faulty and oft-forgotten American Music Awards in October.
It’s the night of the American Music Awards (AMAs), and Brown, nominated in three categories, sits nervously at a desk while CT, his barber, scuffs around on the beige carpet in a pair of Gucci slides…
Brown shrugs. “I can’t really talk right now,” he says, pointing to the whitening strips on his teeth, though he is able to comment on some mozzarella sticks he had last night at The Nice Guy, a hot spot in West Hollywood. “They’re the best I’ve ever had.”
Yes, this is what music journalism has devolved into in 2018. Then the article goes on to become fiercely political.
As many fans as Brown has, there are plenty of folks who wish he would stay out of country altogether. To them, he symbolizes an almost deep-state-like assault on tradition … Those people are pretty easy to find online. They’re also nothing new. There’s always a segment of country fandom that wants things to stay the way Hank done it. But with Brown, the language is of a particular school: They’re quick to point out his “hip-hop” or “urban” influences as a reason they don’t like his fans or what he has to say. They credit his success to artifice and insist he’s a product of the industry. You might as well say “Make Country Traditional Again.”
In other words, if you oppose Kane Brown, you are racist. “Hip-hop” and “urban” are simply code words. And you must also support Trump if you don’t like Kane Brown, apparently. It can’t have anything to do with someone thinking that perhaps Kane Brown’s music isn’t any good, or doesn’t belong designated in the country format. Billboard also says that the CMA’s “shafted Brown this year — he wasn’t even nominated — it certainly felt political.”
But if the CMAs shafted Kane Brown due to politics, why have the CMAs now passed over Florida Georgia Line three years in a row for Vocal Duo of the Year, and instead given it to the much less commercially-successful, and much more politically outspoken Brothers Osborne? Kacey Musgraves has been political in the past, and won the 2018 CMA for Album of the Year for Golden Hour. Meanwhile, has Kane Brown offered any political opinions or affiliations? Not that can be found. And of course the Billboard piece also spends no time on why people credit Kane Brown’s “success to artifice,” which is the true reason the CMAs gave him the cold shoulder.
The CMAs and much of the country industry has steered clear of the highest praise for Kane Brown because of the spurious nature of his ascent. In an investigation Saving Country Music published in October of 2015, it was exposed how Kane’s manager at the time, Jay Frank, used his position as the Vice President of Global Streaming Marketing at Universal Music Group and a service called Digster to artificially inflate Kane Brown’s streaming numbers by giving him preferred placement on playlists. Before this October 2015 investigation, individuals within the country music industry were already questioning the validity of Kane Brown’s streaming numbers, with Kane telling the Times Free Press at the time, “A lot of the people in Nashville think the numbers are fake, but they can’t prove it.”
Kane Brown was also able to rack up bloated numbers due to Facebook’s lax video rules, which were first exposed in early 2016, and since have even been even more ridiculed and demoted as advertisers en masse have said the social media network misled them and the public with deceptive statistics. Kane Brown has also been the beneficiary of the massive and questionable Red Music playlists on YouTube, which among other dubious activities, helped Bebe Rexha get to #1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, where she has been now for 50 weeks and counting despite little to no support from radio or the public.
We are living in the asterisk era of streaming music, where managers who are savvy at gaming the system can launch superstars and major label careers without having to go through the arduous effort of creating fans the old fashioned way, which is touring and performing. Even Florida Georgia Line was forced to go on club tours to pay dues and prove their worth, but Kane Brown used social media followings and spurious streaming numbers to hopscotch the competition. These aren’t just the murmurings about Kane Brown throughout the country music industry, they’re a roar.
Ahead of the release of Kane Brown’s Experiment, he came out promoting an anti-bullying campaign. Articles ahead of the release talked about the racism he’s faced, and the uphill climb he’s endured, even though the argument can be made nobody has enjoyed an easier climb to the top of country than Kane Brown in history. This is all an attempt to insulate Kane Brown from criticism by blaming it all on implicit racism as opposed to the underlying controversies, or the poor quality of the music itself, or the efficacy of it as country.
Race has no more to do with the concern with Kane Brown’s success in country music than it did with Florida Georgia Line and Sam Hunt, who received similar, if not sharper criticisms from country fans. The biggest concern is that Kane Brown’s music is not country. Brown has become a favorite of politically-motivated and politically-biased journalists because they feel like country music needs more diversity. They champion him exclusively because he’s biracial, with his music being almost an ancillary concern.
“With songs that are meant to slide into a playlist between Khalid and Carrie Underwood, Brown’s closer to what the average American actually looks like, in a generation where identity is more fluid — and crucial, and debated — than ever,” the above-mentioned article in Billboard states, proving they know his music is not really country, but that’s okay because he’s half black, and country needs more ethnicity. They are judging Kane Brown off the color of his skin, as opposed to the content of his musical character.
Granted, Kane Brown’s music does not represent the worst mainstream country has to offer, whether that is from the subjective standpoint of critical taste, or more measurable benchmarks upon the age old question of “What is country?” That distinction would still fall to artists such as Sam Hunt, or Walker Hayes. But Sam Hunt is semi-retired at this point, and Walker Hayes is still an up-and-comer whose popularity and commercial prowess are still to be determined. However Kane Brown happens to be the one making huge waves in popular country music at the moment, and those waves are moving country more in the direction of sounding like everything else in popular music, whether it’s pop, R&B, hip-hop, or EDM. This is not diversity. This is the death of diversity, and the ushering in of the monogenre where every bit of popular music sounds the same regardless of genre or format.
Kane Brown has tokens to country culture of course, in an effort to slide past gatekeepers. You can’t get away from people telling you about his song “Short Shirt Weather,” but like the banjo buried beneath an electronic drum and synthesizer bed, that’s not what makes an artist like Kane Brown country, it’s what proves culpability that they know he’s not, and they need to add something to make up for it. Banjo in an R&B song, or one country tune out of 13 doesn’t make you country.
“‘Experiment,’ however, contains one of the most “country” songs from a male artist on Music Row this year: “Short Skirt Weather,” a bit of Alan Jackson-era tongue-in-cheek pop/honky-tonk,” Billboard says. But the song is basically Bro-Country with a fiddle, and fair to label as objectifying and misogynistic to boot, concluding with a sex whistle that would get you fired and your career ended and your name besmirched these days in corporate America. Marissa R. Moss who wrote the Billboard article loves to call misogyny at the most minuscule slight, but looks the other way for Kane here, because his minority status puts him in a protected place on the sliding scale of competitive victimhood—sort of like how Nelly was ignored when he was accused of raping a woman on a country tour. All of a sudden if you voiced concern, you weren’t speaking up for women, you were being racist against a black man.
However we got here, the ship has sailed with Kane Brown. He is now the future of country music, even if many true country fans, and quite a few artists, bemoan that fact. Kane Brown has won. Despite his spurious beginnings, his success and appeal is most certainly real now, and worthy of spirited criticism from concerned fans, media, and industry who have a right to wonder if he’s country enough, or a quality performer, like any artist. They also have a right to make those criticisms without being considered racist unless racist tendencies present themselves.
Of course there are racist elements embedded within the country music populous. There are also scores of African American country artists that play actual country music that are going unnecessarily overlooked—along with women artists and other minorities—because an artist like Kane Brown cheated the system, and cut in line. If people truly cared about the diversity of country music, artists like Tony Jackson, Aaron Vance, Mickey Guyton, and others would be superstars. These artists can also bring unique perspectives to country music, which is the real reason you clamor for diversity in the first place. In fact an artist like Kane Brown hurts the prospects for getting people to question their prejudices because he’s not country, and he manipulated the system to get here.
Diversity isn’t driving out authentic country music culture to replace it with hip-hop/pop/R&B. It’s allowing authentic country culture to thrive right beside R&B, hip-hop, and pop, which should also be allowed to thrive and not be encroached on by country, to make up the vibrant tapestry of American culture with varied and diverse styles of expressions all celebrated in their most authentic state. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with genres other than country. There is everything wrong with trying to make every genre sound the same under misguided notions of diversity. That’s also why there’s everything wrong with calling the music of Kane Brown country without qualifyers.
dennixx
November 19, 2018 @ 9:34 am
More of this accidental savior please since there are surely no others more deserving of your time and space here.
Eric sprado
November 19, 2018 @ 10:17 pm
Has everybody forgotten Charlie Pride and the sight of him being kissed at the country Awards by Loretta Lynn???? That was Television history for ANY genre of music..Great moment!
Blackwater
November 24, 2018 @ 9:58 pm
Just saw Charley Pride a couple weeks ago in Branson. He’s in fantastic shape and worth seeing. His voice was solid and his sense of humor is still in place. He is 82 and ain’t going to be around forever. See him if you can!
wayne
November 19, 2018 @ 9:40 am
Trig,
Cannot agree more with the overall assessment. Good post.
Marmarbama
November 19, 2018 @ 2:35 pm
AMEN. Absolutely spot on.
Ken
November 19, 2018 @ 9:58 am
First I am a liberal and I do not like Kane Brown’s song because they are not country enough for my tastes period. It has zero to do with the color of his skin or his heritage. It has everything to do with the songs. The fact is Kane Brown has the perfect voice to belt out some real country music if he wanted to, but his management team pushes him into the pop country market. It really is that simple.
A.K.A. City
November 19, 2018 @ 11:03 am
I, too, am a liberal and agree with the article. Any sort of criticism I’ve seen has to do with his music, not his skin color. Not to downplay racism, because it absolutely does exist. There are some great country artists of color (I love Aaron Vance and Mickey Guyton) that perform and release wonderful country music.
TheseDays
November 19, 2018 @ 12:05 pm
I love how an article like this brings to light other artists that deserve a shout. Thanks AKA, I like both these artists you mentioned (Vance & Guyton) and had not heard them before.
altaltcountry
November 20, 2018 @ 9:17 am
A feature about Kane Brown and Jimmie Allen linked to this 1998 article article about African-Americans in country music. It would be nice if Brown acknowledged this rich but neglected heritage. But I don’t see any evidence he personally knows (or cares much) about it.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1998-09-16-9809190003-story.html
Trigger
November 20, 2018 @ 11:56 am
This is a very good point. I’ve always said that the African American influence in country music has not been given its due, but there is also a trend now to mischaracterize country music as being stolen from African Americans and exploited for the purposes of white America, which is just as wrong as saying they had no influence at all. That said, Kane Brown has never given any credit, nor even acknowledgement to the African American roots in country. Classic country to him is Tim McGraw and Shania Twain, quite literally (he mentioned them in one of the above-linked articles), and as he works to erode the traditions of country music, he’s also working to erode the tradition of the black country artists who came before him no different than the white ones.
Ultimately though, all this focus on race is just a gateway to tribalism. We shouldn’t be focusing on Kane Brown’s ethnicity, we should be judging him for his music.
altaltcountry
November 21, 2018 @ 9:04 am
I also disagree with the charge that country stole from early African-American music. Early white country musicians weren’t shy about acknowledging their debt to black musicians, and I think (but I’m not a musicologist) that the influence was mutual. Country music has always been open to other genres (in this respect it’s the most diverse of music forms–is anyone complaining about the lack of diversity in prog or Swedish death metal or polka music?). The stereotype that country is music by and for white people just doesn’t ring true.
Debbie
November 19, 2018 @ 2:59 pm
So what do.you call the likes of Luke Brysn or Florida Georgia line. They are more pop country the. Kane.
Head Case
November 19, 2018 @ 3:36 pm
I hate to say anything remotely good about FGL or Luke Bryan, but no, they are not more pop than Kane Brown. He actually makes them seem country compared to him.
Jack Williams
November 20, 2018 @ 8:02 am
I call it more of the same. Or maybe more accurately, KB is more of the same.
Steve
November 20, 2018 @ 11:38 am
Luke Bryan and FGL are definitely NOT “Country” IMHO. I have no comprehension of how ANY of that crap became “country”. I don’t lsten to ANY fo that stuff. I don’t do “Bro” country, or any of the other trash pop stuff. I don’t care about skin color or anything other than songwriting and instrumentation. I don’t want Autotuners or even computer beats in my “country” music.
Steve C
November 19, 2018 @ 5:37 pm
I’m a conservative “. . . and I do not like Kane Brown’s song because they are not country enough for my tastes period. It has zero to do with the color of his skin or his heritage. It has everything to do with the songs. The fact is Kane Brown has the perfect voice to belt out some real country music if he wanted to, but his management team pushes him into the pop country market. It really is that simple.”
Terri
November 19, 2018 @ 10:00 am
This is being addressed to kane Brown Your turn will come with the CMA’s Just be patience your music is awesome sometimes it just takes people a little Time to not be so jealous of how you became Noticeable in the country world just keep being positive keep doing what you’ve been doing your turn will be there next year And you could see that in your sales in your music There is always one thing you just don’t forget just remember people are not handed things in this world just to be handed to and you are proving that Sometimes people have to work just a little bit harder but the long run it makes you a better person Can’t wait Until your next CD comes out already bought the experiment
scott
November 19, 2018 @ 10:44 am
Wow.
scott
November 19, 2018 @ 10:52 am
The unintelligible drivel that spews from the mouths of the Kane Brown Klan is honestly hilarious.
ManBearPig
November 19, 2018 @ 10:56 am
Wow Terri. You managed to spew this whole load of garbage without once using punctuation of any kind. Impressive.
Terri
November 19, 2018 @ 11:15 am
Wow your name title only say a lot for you didn’t you mom ever teach you if you don’t have anything nice to say don’t say anything
ManBearPig
November 19, 2018 @ 11:57 am
punctuation
punc·tu·a·tion | \ˌpəŋk-chə-ˈwā-shən \
Definition of punctuation :
1 : the act of punctuating : the state of being punctuated
2 : the act or practice of inserting standardized marks or signs in written matter to clarify the meaning and separate structural units
Troy
November 19, 2018 @ 1:01 pm
He broke out the dictionary definition ahahahaha! Fanboys and fangirls of Kane Brown aren’t the brightest crayons in the box!
Marmarbama
November 19, 2018 @ 2:36 pm
Brutal…..😅
Fuzzy TwoShirts
November 19, 2018 @ 12:22 pm
Mama TwoShirts taught me that some people need a good dressing down to learn their lesson and that if you can’t lay down the law you’re a pushover and won’t get what you want.
and I want quality Country Music.
Mary Williams
November 21, 2018 @ 6:01 am
Don’t criticize an artist for being true to himself. So what that it doesn’t “fit” into someone’s arbitrary and certainly subjective definition of a category of music. Why care about how he gained his notarity? Articles like this contribute to the divisiveness of the world today. The fact that the album is titled Experiment seems to have slipped the author’s notice. Should music all neatly follow a strict protocol to fit into a set of rules by people who are unable to see anything but black and white? (Excuse the pun!) Let the artists be! Let them create and fail and succeed. Give them the decency of honoring their uniqueness, their vision, their creativity without dragging their music in the mud because it “ isn’t country enough” or “he hasn’t earned his spot because of the way he gained notoriety”. I am a Republican. I am a huge Kane Brown fan. I am also a big traditional country music fan. I love most types of music. I don’t sit around and wring my hands because of labels or force feed ideas perpetuated by the media looking for a new angle of a story. Music is my therapy to brighten my spirits. It’s a companion to my cooking and cleaning and driving. It helps me to know my struggles are not just my own and that the joy in life is shared by others. It makes me appreciate those that have this gift of creation who are willing to share with others. What is wrong with society today? Can’t we just like what we like without people making it a big deal? No one is forcing anyone to listen to music they don’t want to hear. Turn the channel, don’t watch the awards show, don’t buy the cd. Stop complaining, making mountains out of molehills, and stealing the joy from artists and fans alike. Last time I looked this was a free country. (Oh, another pun).
Sherry Everitt
November 19, 2018 @ 10:57 am
I couldn’t have said it better!
Phil Oxford
November 19, 2018 @ 11:20 am
I for one do not enjoy the ad hominem attacks on Kane Brown’s fan base.
Criticising an artist on the basis of a “stupid” fanbase is either (1) Elitist, in which case, why don’t we just ask all the MIT engineers and Harvard philosophy professors what music we should listen to?, or (2) Mean-spirited vitriol to make you feel better about yourself and your superior taste.
What about either of these things is part of the Country Music tradition we are seeking to defend?!
That said, by and large I agree with Trig’s article.
gtrman86
November 19, 2018 @ 11:47 am
Great sentence!! Judging by your use, or lack of punctuations and the highly strategic display of Capital letters in your rant completely demonstrates the quality of phony little fruit cake artists like this Kane fella. You are likely between the ages of 6 and 17 and have probably never heard a lick of Real Country Music, but before you go sticking up for an annoying little douche bag like this Kane fella perhaps you should dig deeper and have a listen to how Country music is supposed to sound. I truly believe that everybody is entitled to their own opinion and that is great but this is not Country and therefore there is no need to stick up for his authenticity as Country because neither Kane or his music has a fucking thing to do with Country Music.
ALICIA Penquite
November 19, 2018 @ 1:19 pm
Well what I got to Say about your Funky comment is He is Down Right Counrty By the Roots..He will Come out eventually on his own Time That’s what you call Diversity!Not on your time ON HIS TIME .SUCK THAT UP😁
Fuzzy TwoShirts
November 19, 2018 @ 1:45 pm
Because we should respect your opinion when you don’t know that “Downright” is one word and not two
Gtrman86
November 20, 2018 @ 11:38 am
Counrty….. Well said, 100% sums up this Kane fella’s Country music Authenticity. Hahaha.
The String and Pen
November 20, 2018 @ 11:44 am
So, are you in his fan club or his publicist? Other than that, your reply makes no sense and is completely out of context. I think you ar econfusing his appearance with actual talent or musicianship. Does he play an instrument? Does he write his own songs? If neither apply, he is nothing but a product and sure as hell isn’t “Country”. Try listening to a real crossover artist who gets it right. Check out Kacey Musgraves!
Adam
November 19, 2018 @ 10:01 am
There is not a single redeeming quality about this douche.
Dobe Daddy
November 19, 2018 @ 10:07 am
That entire Billboard article was nauseating. This is response is so well done that the headline readers who stop by after a Google search will confirm the entire thing by the end of the day.
Crystal Frizzell
November 19, 2018 @ 10:27 am
Leave Kane Brown alone he is trying to get though life just as we are it isn’t our place to judge anyone. He is an amazing singer he actually dose bretter then most country singers.
scott
November 19, 2018 @ 10:50 am
The unintelligible drivel that spews from the mouths of the Kane Brown Klan is honestly hilarious.
(Me and) Paul
November 19, 2018 @ 11:12 am
Kane Brown is a “music” artist and the author is a music critic, therefore it his absolutely his place to judge Kane in regards to his musical product and talent. Saying that he should be exempt from judgement flies in the face of the entire argument made in the article above. Also no one is saying that you cannot like him, we would just make the argument that his music is not country.
Mike
November 19, 2018 @ 7:06 pm
Crystal’s post gave me ebola.
Tati
November 20, 2018 @ 5:22 am
People don’t know how to leave others alone and Kane Brown is a great singer
Sandra Alexander
November 19, 2018 @ 10:30 am
That’s not nice you need to be more concerned to others
Crystal G Frizzell
November 19, 2018 @ 10:32 am
Why are so many people judgemental. I can’t stand people who always talk shit about someone. Kane Brown is a great singer I love his music. He is doing the best he can so plz leave him alone.
Billy Wayne Ruddick
November 19, 2018 @ 11:16 am
Leave Birtney alone!
The String and Pen
November 20, 2018 @ 12:00 pm
So, are you in his fan club or his publicist? Other than that, your reply makes no sense and is completely out of context. I think you ar econfusing his appearance with actual talent or musicianship. Does he play an instrument? Does he write his own songs? If neither apply, he is nothing but a product and sure as hell isn’t “Country”. Try listening to a real crossover artist who gets it right. Check out Kacey Musgraves!
Ace
January 18, 2021 @ 1:54 am
he sucks. Hes not country on any level and neither are you. If thr guy looked like me no one would look twice at him but because he is slightly good looking the females with no taste swoon over him.
Kane could not answer any queries on the historical performers that came before him. Hes a dummy. His fans are dummer than him or they wouldn’t listen to such fake, manufactured dreck. Its not even good music what it is. Its clichéd, medicore, contrived pop garbage.
Stringbuzz
November 19, 2018 @ 10:35 am
I have nothing against him. Just not my thing.
I doubt is the cup of tea for any serious music listener.
But the market is there for him and it is not my demographic.
My daughter falls right into it and listens to him.
It does suck that the label is country music.
But nothing new here, all music has dealt with acts artists really geared to sell.
ChrisP
November 19, 2018 @ 10:38 am
Got to love being in the period of time in which we evaluate an artist not by what they sound like, but rather how they look. Kane Brown can be whatever artist he wants to be. He just is not, at this moment in time, country. There’s nothing wrong with that. What is, is that journalists feel the need to campaign for “country” status for somebody who hasn’t done anything to earn it.
Lenny
November 19, 2018 @ 10:38 am
How is his music not country. If he was to writr songs for other people it would be considered country. Sam hunt wrote songs for popular country artist before he came out. Country music is not how you look its how the music makes you feel and what you see when you close your eyes.
Trigger
November 19, 2018 @ 10:40 am
“Country music is not how you look its how the music makes you feel and what you see when you close your eyes.”
Completely agree.
Fuzzy TwoShirts
November 19, 2018 @ 12:25 pm
Since when does Sam Hunt write good songs?
I could eat a bowl of alphabet soup and crap a better song than Body Like a Backhoe
Gabe
November 19, 2018 @ 1:54 pm
He co-wrote “I Met a Girl” for William Michael Morgan
Fuzzy TwoShirts
November 19, 2018 @ 2:03 pm
Then that’s not a good song
Caleb Shuler
November 19, 2018 @ 11:00 am
Country is gone anyway. Since Ford started getting Aldean, and the way he RAPS in his music, pretty well says it all. Rap will NEVER be country. And it’s about record sells and money, not the art anymore
bill weiler
November 19, 2018 @ 11:03 am
And we’re off. 200 comments by nightfall, guaranteed. Half of which will come from 15 yr. old girls trying to explain to a 65 yr.old like myself, how music has to evolve. That this guy is a great singer and is just taking the music in new, exciting directions, while keeping his foot firmly in the roots of country music. Mr. Van Zandt would call it Zippity-Doo-Dah. Mr. Burnett would call it Dogshit.
Sunny
November 19, 2018 @ 11:13 am
200 comments will not contain punctuation. Many phonetic words will be present.
Ace
January 18, 2021 @ 1:56 am
He sings about boating on a lake. Hes fake. Dumb and clichéd. He wouldn’t be famous if he were fat and ugly singjng that same ear rape.
tpevans@yahoo.com
November 19, 2018 @ 11:05 am
There is far more than a dollop of schadenfreude associated with watching those that ran to “diversity” to virtue signal their way to approval being hoisted rather roughly on the petard of diversity. Enjoy the view.
BENJAMIN FARKAS
November 19, 2018 @ 11:18 am
I grew up in San Diego, spent the last 11 years in Austin and now St Pete Florida. I am a big Country Music fan. Thank God I have no idea who you are talking about. Bro County is horrible. Maybe don’t wear your hat backwards after age 25. There is plenty of real, local country music to be enjoyed in your own backyard. Let’s at least use the way Hank done it as a jumping off point.
Mary Wise
November 19, 2018 @ 11:18 am
This article/author doesn’t deserve my time that I spent to read!! As I am reading its people/articles such as this that screams prejudice! I am a 💯% a Kane Brown fan & welcome his breath of fresh air….amazing vocal depth & bravery to sing about real life! He supports his Country…our troops…the ones with no voice! His voice is a joy to listen to & no more deserving young man! Haters going to hate….but his fans will forever be grateful for this talented new star!
Fuzzy TwoShirts
November 19, 2018 @ 12:24 pm
So…
Why exactly do you call it Country Music?
It’s not a problem of whether or not you like it, it’s a matter of labels.
A Ford Focus is not a Red-Crested Gibbon.
Raymond
November 20, 2018 @ 3:15 am
Because everyone has different definitions of what is country and there is no 1 unique sound to a genre. A genre of music shouldn’t be only 1 thing only.
altaltcountry
November 20, 2018 @ 8:03 am
There are grey areas with any classification, e.g. is Ray Wiley Hubbard blues or country?
But there are also some clear-cut distinctions.
Luciano Pavarotti singing “Nessun Dorma” is not country music.
Lou Reed’s “Metal Machine Music” is not rap.
Justin Bieber is not rock and roll.
If there are no boundaries, then all music is in the same category.
When Tyler Childers does something new within the framework of country music, he gets labeled “Americana” (like Hubbard, Crowell, and many other innovative artists).
But Kane Brown is described as the savior / new face / yadda yadda yadda of country music. Why isn’t he exiled to the Americana table?
Because his management knows there’s no money in Americana, and too much competition in the rap / pop categories.
This is not about the quality of Kane Brown’s voice but about what distribution channel it’s placed in.
Nor is the majority of Kane Brown criticism a reaction against change. Real change within country music (Hubbard, Crowell, Simpson) is healthy.
Fuzzy TwoShirts
November 20, 2018 @ 8:04 am
Well then a lot of people are wrong.
Sure there are different styles of houses, ranch style, high ceilings, etc.
But calling a bank a house isn’t a different style, it’s just dumb.
Raymond
November 22, 2018 @ 5:54 pm
So they are wrong for how they interpret music. Who the hell are you to determine who is right or wrong? You are so delusional and arrogant.
Good day.
Dale
November 19, 2018 @ 7:45 pm
And he still isn’t country, closer to pop, not even decent r&b
Jack Humphrey
November 19, 2018 @ 11:20 am
Kane Brown is the worst thing in this format. PERIOD.
JB-Chicago
November 19, 2018 @ 3:43 pm
Sadly Jack buddy he’s not even close to the worst thing in the format……I can think of a few off the top of my head, Russell Dickheadsin, Dan Does Shay, our old pal Walker Hayes, Chris Lane, Dylan Scott, Mitchell Tenpenis as well as few others that all look alike and sound alike.
Jack Humphrey
November 19, 2018 @ 5:21 pm
None of them have been nearly as detrimental to the quality of country music as the douchebag pictured above. Walker Hayes, Chris Lane, and Dylan Scott can be easily ignored because we know that as bad as they are, their influence on the genre is pretty minimal. Kane Brown has been stuffed down our throats by countless media outlets, and at this point, he won’t go away even if he wanted to.
Tamara Butler
November 19, 2018 @ 11:59 am
I have a story for. I recently thought that I was speaking to Kane Brown. He was going to help me bring home my finance so we could be married. He is currently serving in afganistan
This person lead me to believe that he was bringing him home
Even gave me a date and time and place to pick him up. And Kane and his new wife were going to fly in and meet us at the airport. Now the first time they got 1300.00 from me with ths intentions that this was to help bring him home. But it did not they stole my money. So the second time they tryed again. They told me my finance did mot love me and that he had plans on meeting up with someone else who he had been talking too. They degrated my finance twice. A man fighting for his freedom. And this how they treat people. It is very disgraceful and shamfull. I dont who will read this but be aware
Jimmy Row
November 19, 2018 @ 12:38 pm
What the fuck are you talking about!
bill weiler
November 19, 2018 @ 1:00 pm
I told you the 15 yr. old girls would weigh in. Apparently neither English or Logic are offered in Jr. and Senior High School these days. Pity.
Bella
November 19, 2018 @ 3:04 pm
Dude I know lmao
Head Case
November 19, 2018 @ 5:19 pm
Lady I’m sorry, but I don’t think you should tell anyone this story anymore. But please tell your fiance thank you for his service from Head Case.
Mike
November 19, 2018 @ 7:08 pm
Tamara, please stop doing drugs.
For the Birds
November 19, 2018 @ 9:05 pm
It was a good day for a recreational percocet
Seth of Lampasas
November 20, 2018 @ 8:09 pm
Tamara, Im sorry that happened to you. Fuck them and fuck the commenters here who are laughing at your expense. Karma will deal with them.
TK
November 19, 2018 @ 12:18 pm
For good measure, would those commenting / posing sarcastically as offended KB fans put an asterisk before their comments so we can separate the wheat from the chaff? Just want to make sure the level of illiteracy displayed is, at least somewhat, overstated. Thanks in advance.
ALICIA Penquite
November 19, 2018 @ 12:20 pm
Simple as 1-2-3 whoever saying I came Brown as a death of country music is a piece of s***
Fuzzy TwoShirts
November 19, 2018 @ 1:17 pm
Simple as 1-2-3 but apparently you can’t explain it either
Corncaster
November 19, 2018 @ 12:22 pm
“Diversity isn’t driving out authentic country music culture to replace it with hip-hop/pop/R&B. It’s allowing authentic country culture to thrive right beside R&B… and diverse styles of expressions all celebrated in their most authentic state.”
YES
Liz Walton
November 19, 2018 @ 12:24 pm
Kane Brown Reality –
Brown’s wondrrful voice is a pleasure 2 listen to!! Get REAL people.!!! Who and when was it people judged people for what they look like!!!!!! I am 59 years old and remember when we only heard songs on the radio. We never saw what people looked like even though we loved what we heard. WAKE UP Younger people. Don’t judge people by what they look like. It is WRONG and weird. You will be the one left behind and judged STRANGE if you continue the practice. THANKS 4 listening. LIZ
altaltcountry
November 20, 2018 @ 8:11 am
Tony Bennett has a wonderful voice.
B.J. Thomas has a wonderful voice.
Karen Carpenter had a wonderful voice.
They’re not country. No shame in that. But they’re just not country. If someone tried to put Tony Bennett in the Country Music Hall of Fame and a bunch of people objected, it wouldn’t have anything to do with the quality of Tony Bennett’s singing.
Emma
November 19, 2018 @ 12:46 pm
You a bitch Kane Brown is the only thing keeping country together. Suck my dick
Adam
November 19, 2018 @ 2:06 pm
He’s not going to fuck you Emma
Tyrone
November 19, 2018 @ 2:39 pm
Especially if she has a dick. Not that there’s anything wrong with that..
King Honky Of Crackershire
November 19, 2018 @ 6:40 pm
Emma,
Hey, when are y’all bringing back the $5 foot longs? I haven’t seen that advertised in a while.
Fuzzy TwoShirts
November 19, 2018 @ 7:16 pm
Honk:
Miranda Lambert fans are the ones smart enough to make a sandwich at Subway.
Kane Brown fans… probably do less complex jobs
Seth of Lampasas
November 20, 2018 @ 8:13 pm
So, you want Emma’s $5 foot long, Honk?
That ain’t gonna get ya to heaven, brother.
Angel Walton
November 19, 2018 @ 12:49 pm
I for one love Kane Browns music.. There will always be those people, who claim he is not country enough.. But, if he’s not country enough because he adds a little pop sound to his music. Then Carrie Underwood, Tim Mcgraw, Luke Bryan, Lee Bryce, Dan+Shay, etc.. must not be country enough for these individuals either.. I love all of these artist by the way and their fans/sales speaks for itsself… People will criticize everything they don’t understand or feel comfortable with.. That is okay, but you can politely say I don’t like his music simple.. You don’t have to bring up his race or anything else, JUST I DON’T LIKE HIS MUSIC!! THEN CARRY IN ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS.. KANE BROWN HAS FANS THAT LOVE HIS MUSIC AND A FEW DISRESPECTFUL INDIVIDUALS WONT CHANGE THAT!! ##AmericanBadDream<3
Fuzzy TwoShirts
November 19, 2018 @ 1:22 pm
The first half of this paragraph uses two periods to form an elipses, then at the end uses all three.
Pick one and stick with it
Zach
November 19, 2018 @ 1:50 pm
You’re right, none of those other artists are “country enough” for me either. How can it be that every Kane Brown fan so far is semi illiterate?
tucker33585
November 19, 2018 @ 4:14 pm
You don’t like country music sweetheart. You’ve been spoonfed a lie that has no bearing in reality. The “Artists” you listed (Most of whom don’t even write any of their own songs BTW) would lose in a bar fight against any Real Country Music Singer
Head Case
November 19, 2018 @ 5:22 pm
Nope none of these people are genuine country music, although Tim McGraw has his moments.
the pistolero
November 19, 2018 @ 12:53 pm
“With songs that are meant to slide into a playlist between Khalid and Carrie Underwood…”
Much as they hype racial diversity, this type of diversity is even less useful. What if I replaced those names with, say, Merle Haggard, Jason Boland, and Max Stalling? Or with Savatage, Megadeth, and Iron Maiden? People talk about having diverse music tastes as if it was some kind of virtue, but it’s not. The more kinds of music you’re listening to, the more good stuff from particular genres you’re going to necessarily miss, because there’s only so much time in the day. I don’t have time to waste on, say, jazz fusion or grindcore. And I am still trying to figure out what people think is wrong with that.
Justin
November 19, 2018 @ 12:55 pm
Slightly OT, but another African-American country singer just topped the chart with his debut single- Jimmie Allen with ‘Best Shot.’
altaltcountry
November 20, 2018 @ 8:14 am
https://www.okayplayer.com/music/jimmie-allen-kane-brown-black-country-billboard.html
Troy
November 19, 2018 @ 12:57 pm
Kane Brown seems like he’s a decent dude, but as a man who’s also of mixed descent, it pisses me off to no end that he’s playing the race card. That is a total & complete copout. I’m 39 & I have never played the race card unless it was blatant racism. He needs to cut the crap and accept the fact that the reason why most people keep him at arms length is because his music doesn’t classify as country music. He could green with pink stripes and most of his music would still be terrible.
Bella
November 19, 2018 @ 1:03 pm
Guys all I know is that Kane is really hot, and he has a great voice.
Jackie
November 19, 2018 @ 1:34 pm
And here is why the women are missing from country radio. Must be hot to teen and college aged girls or they dont get a shot. Video really did kill the radio star.
Troy
November 19, 2018 @ 1:53 pm
And so did research.
Sarah
November 19, 2018 @ 1:06 pm
Okay come on people, your only attacking Kane Brown cuz he got MARRIED! Face it before everyone adored him. Now y’all think okay it’s time to bash him he’s not country he’s not white. He’s got so many tattoos. Boo fucking whoo. He’s an amazing singer. He is country. It shouldn’t matter what he looks like . Alot of people now days have tats . Come on really Taylor Swift WAS country now she’s not. Really. Stop attacking people just cuz you don’t like them.
Fuzzy TwoShirts
November 19, 2018 @ 1:19 pm
Taylor Swift wasn’t Country at all…
Marmarbama
November 19, 2018 @ 2:50 pm
And she had the honesty to admit it and move on to pop…….many MANY current “country ” singers should follow her lead….
altaltcountry
November 20, 2018 @ 8:18 am
I’m not sure if Swift was motivated by honesty. A cynic might say that she used country as a springboard and once she was established as a star, she moved to where the big bucks are.
63Guild
November 20, 2018 @ 7:24 am
Kane Brown could look like Johnny Cash and I’d still hate him because of the substance behind his music
Fuzzy TwoShirts
November 19, 2018 @ 1:21 pm
And for Pete’s sake stop using the term “Fuzzy math.”
Because I certainly did not do it
Jess
November 19, 2018 @ 1:27 pm
You know I think Kane brown is awesome and you have a lot more people out claiming to be a country music star and don’t even sound country… Honestly I think this is a race thing because he isn’t full white… He is mixed and because of that y’all rant and rave about him…
Troy
November 19, 2018 @ 1:55 pm
As a BLACK MAN, Jess, it has nothing to do with race. Stop playing the damn race card. Its a copout and it makes you and Kane look pathetic. Just STOP!
Seth of Lampasas
November 20, 2018 @ 8:21 pm
Cowboy Troy?
Bella
November 19, 2018 @ 1:30 pm
First of all I was bored out of my mind after reading two sentences of this article. Second Kane is hot and his voice is amazing. Third who even cares about all this “real country music” stuff 👀obviously only old people.
Gabe
November 19, 2018 @ 1:55 pm
Wow that koolaid must be awesome!
Troy
November 19, 2018 @ 1:56 pm
Coming from the girl who’s young and obviously dumb. Wisdom and experience trumps youth anyday of the week.
Corncaster
November 19, 2018 @ 6:34 pm
“First of all I was bored out of my mind after reading two sentences of this article.“
LOL
I call troll, a beautiful troll.
Noah Berlatsky
November 19, 2018 @ 1:46 pm
I’ve enjoyed some of your writing in the past, but this is a terrible piece. It’s defensive, and yes, it could have easily been written by a Trump supporter. Like Kane Brown or don’t like him, but spending a couple thousand words explaining why a black singer in country is getting unfair accolades because he’s black makes you sound like those assholes whining because Beyoncé appeared at the CMAs. Country has discriminated against black performers for basically its entire history, and it’s gross to pretend that suddenly being black in country is an advantage just because you happen to dislike one black performer. If you don’t want people to think you’re being a racist dipshit, be less of a racist dipshit, would be my recommendation.
Trigger
November 19, 2018 @ 3:18 pm
Hey Noah,
I appreciate your concern and perspective. But just to clarify, the crux of my argument here is not that Kane Brown is getting unfair accolades simply because he’s black. I do think that is occurring in some instances, but the most important argument I was trying to make here was that you can’t couch Kane Brown as “oppressed” in country when there is pretty clear evidence he gamed the streaming system to become one of the biggest artists in the genre, and just earned the #1 album in all of music. Kane Brown experienced the easiest climb to the top in country music history, and he did it at the expense of other artists, including other black artists.
My other concern is using Kane Brown as a symbol of diversity, when his music is homogeneous, monogenre material meant to appeal to the least common denominator and largest possible audience, and doesn’t really fit within the country music format.
I agree there is inherent racism within the country genre, but I also don’t think you can blame the lack of black performers in country music currently on racism. Kane Brown just proved even an artist of mixed race can dominate the genre, on a week where the #1 song in country is by Jimmie Allen—another African American artist. Neither of these artists got to the top because they’re black, but neither of them got to the top in spite of being black either. I think country music is giving equal opportunities to African American artists. I also think African Americans are much less likely to play country music as a general rule, and that has to do with preference as opposed to racism.
Kane Brown is Kane Brown. I don’t really think race has anything to do with anything. It just makes a good narrative for the media to harp on.
GrantH
November 19, 2018 @ 6:46 pm
Orange man bad.
Mike Honcho
November 19, 2018 @ 8:12 pm
Dumb shit, You need a history lesson on which party is the party of slavery, jim Crowe and oppression. The Democrats think that minorities are so inferior that they need a head start to compete. I don’t care if Kane is green, he sucks a fat baby’s wiener in the talent category.
Ulysses McCaskill
November 19, 2018 @ 11:10 pm
But Mike! Don’t you know the parties switched sides in the 60’s?!
Nah, in reality, only 1 of the 21 Democratic Senators who voted against the Civil Rights Act actually turned Republican after its passage. The other 20 never switched, and even as they retired and left office those seats all remained Democratic for 3 decades afterwards. It also took Republicans until the mid 90’s to gain a majority of the House seats in the south, which marked the first time they had done so in the history of their party.
The South may have shifted Republican over time into where we are today, but it was certainly not in response to opposing civil rights or to simply support racist candidates.
Melissa M Alnaanah
November 19, 2018 @ 2:03 pm
I’m sorry all I heard was Kane Brown in my head singing. If nobody can hear how country his voice is and how refreshing it is to hear a deep voice like that song in Country music again… Well I guess those against Kane Brown have never heard good country music. The best old country singers were men with deep southern twangs and that’s just what Kane Brown has. Face it, I’d listen to him over Keith Urban any day.
tucker33585
November 19, 2018 @ 4:06 pm
We hate Fake Keith too
the pistolero
November 19, 2018 @ 8:21 pm
Face it, I’d listen to him over Keith Urban any day.
That is not the ringing endorsement you seem to think it is.
Adam
November 19, 2018 @ 2:09 pm
Wow. Kane Brown fans are actually all idiots. It’s not even hyperbole
Corncaster
November 19, 2018 @ 2:10 pm
allz I know is Kane Brown is real country like all them things you can by in Cracker Barrell especialy the candy section he’d give you the shirt of his back and haterz like on this Site are NOT country and are the enemes of good ppl like Kane Brown who we should be supporting not like the raceist bullsh8t on a site that needs a lotta saving of itself so suck my d8ck!
Marmarbama
November 19, 2018 @ 2:52 pm
YOU ARE HILARIOUS….sarcasm is thy friend.
Seth of Lampasas
November 20, 2018 @ 8:31 pm
This is an example of parody, Marmabama, not sarcasm. This is how sarcasm would sound using the spirit of Cornholer’s comment.
“Oh yeah, Kane Brown is JUST as country as Cracker Barrel, and he would SO give you the shirt off his back, uh-huh, yeahhhhhh”
Chris
November 19, 2018 @ 2:20 pm
KANE BROWN MUSIC IS COUNTRY MUSIC.
Adam
November 19, 2018 @ 2:56 pm
He’s not going to fuck you Chris
Seth of Lampasas
November 20, 2018 @ 8:48 pm
This commenting device is not going to fuck you.
Fuzzy TwoShirts
November 19, 2018 @ 3:01 pm
And A Chevy Silverado is a Ford Taurus!
DJ
November 19, 2018 @ 2:54 pm
LOL- I didn’t see one thing negative about his race in the article, yet, the fan base says it’s all about race- SMH- projection is a powerful tool…..and backfires quite often.
Kevin Davis
November 19, 2018 @ 2:58 pm
The above comments from Kane Brown fans are hilarious. They really have no clue how dumb they sound. Whether that’s ad hominem or not, I don’t care. It’s true. Not once has any of them highlighted something that Trigger wrote and tried to refute it with a cogent counter-argument. Sweet Jesus, our culture is screwed!
Bamstrait
November 19, 2018 @ 3:00 pm
In what world is this considered a handsome man? Butt fugly
If you criticize his music, you’re racist, same as any criticism of the previous president. Damn is this getting old.
Hey Arnold
November 19, 2018 @ 3:11 pm
Kane Brown has a great voice!! And he writes his own songs.. so he is a talented fella. But the R & B sound influences make it not Country.. Not even Country Pop… But his new song “Short Skirt weather” sounds pretty traditional to me. His album is an experiment.. every song sounds different. I am NOT a fan, but he’s better than Chris Lane and Walker Hayes.
But Trig, this article has recycled statements & I’m pretty sure this is the 3rd or 4th article that you made about Kane with this tone. How bout you stop bullying the guy. We know whats going on. We know he’s not traditional. So what’s the point of spamming these articles against Kane.
Lisa
November 19, 2018 @ 3:25 pm
To each their own. I for one love Kane Browns music. There are entry of country artist that could be considered pop more than country and I dont here no one saying a thing about them . Everyone is allowed their opinion but you no what they say, opinions are like a**holes ,everyone has one.
Ray
November 19, 2018 @ 3:25 pm
This is has nothing to do with color. I think Kane Brown has the monotone singing voice I have ever heard on radio. He sounds like he is bored with himself. Second, his label needs to spend some money on media training. I heard a radio interview a few weeks ago and he is boring as toast. I understand fame comes quickly to some, but dear God, send someone with him to help formulate a sentence that doesn’t sound like you have a sixth grade education.
I am hoping Sam Hunt’s sabbatical has given him time to become more seasoned with media. When he says his words in a song, it sounds like he is trying to sound like someone from the ‘hood.
MYA
November 19, 2018 @ 7:25 pm
HEY RAY 1st thing you got called out. 2nd you are simple mindedness let’s me think that maybe you tried and failed in country music. My 3rd thought is that, you want everyone to make you”BIG” to be noticed. Get a mirror. Are you COUNTRY enough? Are you MAN enough? Until ylj can figure it out. Shut up KANE BROWN has proven himself.
Fuzzy TwoShirts
November 19, 2018 @ 8:24 pm
Proven himself as what?
Ray
November 19, 2018 @ 9:07 pm
Opinions are like assholes.
Ray
November 19, 2018 @ 9:09 pm
Let me guess. You are a teeny bopper who follows him from show to show, begging to meet him at his bus and still asking for autographs.
Deanka Larsen
November 19, 2018 @ 3:28 pm
This is all stupid Kane Brown Is just as good if not better than alot of country music singers out there and as far as I’m concErnest there aren’t very many country country singers out there anymore. Keith urban is just as hop country as Kane and just good.
I say leave him alone who cares about color or race or political beliefs. He’s amazing
Fuzzy TwoShirts
November 19, 2018 @ 3:53 pm
ConErnest?
might wanna take a drive down Sesame Street sometime soon, could do you some good.
Seth of Lampasas
November 20, 2018 @ 8:42 pm
Fuzzy we get the point. You like to point out badly typed posts. You’re pretentious observations are getting as old as the ignorant statements from Kane fans.
Myke
November 19, 2018 @ 3:31 pm
Article too long. Next time just say “He sucks.” That’s all anyone needs to know…
tucker33585
November 19, 2018 @ 4:02 pm
Who cares about diversity of race, gender, etc. The only important part is Diversity of Sound and that is what Kane Brown Sucks. It is the exact same as every other shitty Pop-country song
Colter
November 19, 2018 @ 4:32 pm
I’ve put my hand in my armpit and made fart noises that sound better than this fucktard.
Sam
November 19, 2018 @ 4:39 pm
I’m new to the savingcountrymusic.com articles. Although the content is interesting, the writing is redundant, making the articles lengthier than necessary.
Corncaster
November 19, 2018 @ 6:37 pm
I agree. I totally agree.
Cinder
November 19, 2018 @ 4:57 pm
As someone who really dislikes country music, you are very wrong when you say it is predominantly R&B and/or pop. If it was either of those genres we wouldn’t have even realized it was on in the background…the fact that it is clearly, extremely clearly, country is the only thing that made us notice, and turn it off.
Find a new false flag to use to cover up that you don’t truly want diversity in your music.
Fuzzy TwoShirts
November 19, 2018 @ 6:51 pm
You don’t actually know what Country Music sounds like…
Sort of like you don’t know what real Mexican food is.
Because someone somewhere sold you an imitator.
This isn’t real Country Music,
Taco Bell isn’t real food
A Prius isn’t a real car
and rompers aren’t real clothes.
And if it was “clearly clearly extremely Country Music”
I wouldn’t have turned it off.
Because I really like Country Music
but you can’t give a food enthusiast a 1 dollar burrito
you can’t give Isaac Stern a sears roebuck fiddle
and you can’t fool me calling this Country Music.
Now trade in your Prius for a GMC,
go to Burger King
take off your romper
and quit listening to Kane Brown
Jack Williams
November 20, 2018 @ 7:17 am
Without question, there is a r&b-ish trend in “country radio” country. And I suspect it’s more corporate driven than artist driven. I’m going to go way back (before even I was born) and say it’s analogous to Pat Boone doing Little Richard covers in the ’50s. If you love rock and roll, Pat Boone’s versions do nothing for you, because they’re so milquetoast and without any juice, if you will. I think it was meant to sell records to white folks who were passive music listeners and who found Little Richard’s originals just too black for them.
Orgirl1
November 20, 2018 @ 6:34 pm
Cinder, this is not country music. And I would love for you to state 5 reasons why you think it is.
King Honky Of Crackershire
November 19, 2018 @ 5:34 pm
“It should be the insistence of everyone, everywhere, in every sector of the economy, in every segment of culture, that everyone receives equal treatment and opportunity, regardless of their race, gender, sexual orientation, religious, or political affiliation when it comes to their worldly pursuits.”
Why?
Corncaster
November 19, 2018 @ 6:43 pm
Because there is no God, I’m going to die, and I want people to like me — and I hope they hire me based on my bark, despite my lack of skills and entitled attitude, because my student loans are harshing my aspirational Instagram buzz.
Blackh4t
November 19, 2018 @ 11:15 pm
You’re a brave man for saying that. But I agree.
I, will admit to being totally racist against Germans and if I had a choice to hire someone it would be the non-German.
To each their own, we all have strengths and weaknesses, some of which tend to align with race, live with it.
Meh, maybe I do live in a white man’s world, but it could be worse. When I was in Southeast Asia they treated me like a superior race. I had to come back just to feel normal again.
King Honky Of Crackershire
November 20, 2018 @ 5:09 am
Brave? Haha. I just want to know why Trigger believes everyone should be insisting that no one ever be discriminated against. I’d much rather everyone be insisting on the right to freedom of association.
I also want to know why he and others insist on lumping behavior in with immutable things like race and gender.
Ulysses McCaskill
November 20, 2018 @ 1:27 pm
This would seem to be a perfectly noble ambition in a perfect world. But, we don’t live in a perfect world and we never will. Humanity will be wiped out and long gone before any sort of utopian paradise takes hold. Human nature prevents everyone from getting a fair shake every time and in every sector of life and it’s unfortunate in my opinion, but true.
In the end, all you’ve got is to be a good person and give folks the shirt off your back if they’re in need. Now, if you can’t do that for a person because of their religion, race or sexual orientation, that makes you a flat out shitty person.
Gabe
November 19, 2018 @ 5:41 pm
News just reaching me is that not only did his album debut @ #1 but “lose it” dethroned “meant to be” from #1 on Billboard’s country song. This is a classic case of one horrible song replacing another
Nickie Techmanski
November 19, 2018 @ 6:07 pm
How many of you bitching have heard his entire album?
How many of you bitching pay for concerts to see the Doug Stones?
How many of you bitching support all the young new “old classic style” country musicians when they come to town, or put out music?
How many of you bitching take time to request the music you want to hear on a normal basis.
How many of you bitching spend time on social media regularly to promote the music you like?
Try putting your efforts there instead of being negative and hateful towards artists you don’t like!!!!
Trigger
November 19, 2018 @ 6:29 pm
Yes.
Yes.
Yes.
No (because it’s ineffective).
Yes.
Just because you take the time to offer some spirited dissent about what country music has become, which ultimately affects many of the other artists down the food chain, doesn’t mean you also don’t support the stuff you like.
Nickie Techmanski
November 19, 2018 @ 6:45 pm
I’m glad you do but many don’t……
Fuzzy TwoShirts
November 19, 2018 @ 6:55 pm
Why would I listen to the entire album?
If I don’t like green beans, more green beans is not the answer.
I wouldn’t pay to see Doug Stone either, if I wanted to sit bored I can watch the Voice.
I support lots of new Country Musicians, but there aren’t very many of them.
No, I don’t request music I wanna hear.
And here’s why.
I have a CD player in my van.
No commercials, no dumbass host spewing articles and fancy buzzwords, no songs I don’t like.
put it in, play only the songs I like, then put in the next one.
I’m negative and hateful because someone screwed up Country Music, and I’m ticked off and ready to go to war
RWP
November 19, 2018 @ 6:53 pm
I don’t give a shit what color he calls himself..He sucks balls.
Dragin
November 19, 2018 @ 8:49 pm
Kane Brown isn’t talented enough to change Charlie Pride’s guitar strings!!
#fuckpopcountry
marc
November 19, 2018 @ 9:57 pm
“Who’s Charlie Pride?”…. Sincerely, Kane Brown.
King Honky Of Crackershire
November 19, 2018 @ 8:53 pm
Trigger,
Why did you delete my last comment?
Trigger
November 19, 2018 @ 9:12 pm
I have deleted numerous comments here, so don’t feel special. We are not going to be taking pot shots at Kane Brown’s appearance. That is not what this is about, and frankly fuels the misconception that all criticism of Kane Brown is based off of how he looks.
Frankly, I am embarrassed by what this comments section has descended into. I expected the Kane Brown fans to show up (as they normally do) and generally lower all of our IQs, but some of the regular commenters here have responded in kind.
This is a very important topic, and I broach long-form discussions to help enrich the level of dialogue as opposed to devolve it into reactionary responses. I understand this exercise isn’t for everyone. But when the comments section goes like this, stimulating discussion isn’t had by anyone.
King Honky Of Crackershire
November 19, 2018 @ 9:55 pm
But my comment had nothing to do with race, and by deleting it, you’ve become exactly what you tried to criticize in this article.
Seth of Lampasas
November 20, 2018 @ 9:04 pm
Honk, were you commenting about his looks in any way?
Wayfaat
November 19, 2018 @ 8:55 pm
Jason Isbell was right when he said “I believe some music is bad for people to listen to. I think it makes their taste worse, I think it makes their lives worse, I think it makes them worse people.” The Kane defenders certainly prove this.
Pierre Brunelle
November 20, 2018 @ 6:28 am
Yes. That’s why I usually listen to music that incorporates elements of the sublime (Classical-Romantic period 1800’s). Your body (and soul) is impacted by everything around you : Music, Arts, Food, Fitness, Intellectual reading that challenges the mind. If you fill your time and your body with junk, you’ll will decline and reach a sub optimal state. No wonder why we have so much mental illness. The society as a whole has declined.
Going back to the original post, yes it’s the death of diversity. Diversity should mean respect of each other traditions and cultures = Diversity of culture and traditions.
If we have a monogenre, we have no distinct culture and traditions. We have one monogenre and most certainly a downgraded version of everything.
Gay Linker
November 19, 2018 @ 9:35 pm
I have to tell you. I am 61 yrs old and I absolutely love Kane Brown. The kid is 100% the best singer in Country Music right now. I adore him. Country music isnt like yesterdays country. Thats why I love him so much. If you listen to alot of the new singers they are all different. I say you go boy and keep on doing what you do. I couldnt wait for his experiment album to come out. Ignore what the jealous people have to say. I say have them see if they can do a better job. Fools!!!
Jackie Treehorn
November 19, 2018 @ 9:57 pm
Man, from reading the comments from these Kane brown fans I’ve arrived at the conclusion that these are some shamefully dumb sons a bitches. May god have mercy on their souls.
Kane Brown Fanboy Number One
November 19, 2018 @ 10:35 pm
Y’alls just made y’alls ain’t got the talent my boy Kane does. He more country than Billy Nelson or Waylin Jenkins!
Pete Marshall
November 19, 2018 @ 11:03 pm
speaking of Kane Brown his song Lose it finally(not good) knocked of Bebe Rexha Meant to be of the #1 spot after 50 long and miserable weeks at #1.
Dobe Daddy
November 20, 2018 @ 11:29 am
This just proves that when you don’t change the garbage, it continues to ‘evolve’.
Ulysses McCaskill
November 19, 2018 @ 11:22 pm
This is how modern country music makes me feel:
https://youtu.be/iwXxHeTN9aE
Curbcooler
November 20, 2018 @ 12:08 am
Trigger, what do you think about Jimmie Allen and his smash hit song “Long Shot”? It seems like it might be headed to number one on the country charts within the next 2-3 weeks.
Trigger
November 20, 2018 @ 11:49 am
You mean “Best Shot”? It’s actually is the #1 song on country radio this week, and very, very pedestrian. May address Jimmie Allen and “Best Shot” at some point more in depth. Though I will say, Allen going #1, along with Kane Brown taking the #1 album sure is putting a damper on all the post-CMA think pieces decrying country music’s diversity problem.
altaltcountry
November 21, 2018 @ 7:21 am
I heard the song and read a profile of him–wasn’t impressed, but I think he genuinely likes country music and isn’t trying to use it as a springboard.
I’m more concerned about all of these feel-good puff pieces proclaiming Brown and Allen as bringing innovation to country music. Where were they when Rhiannon Giddens, who knows and respects the traditions she recasts, won a MacArthur genius award?
Oh wait a minute. Any music that truly innovates within the tradition of country gets labeled “Americana” so it can be ignored.
Trigger
November 21, 2018 @ 9:38 am
If you want to find African American performers who embody the rich traditions of African Americans in roots music and black cowboy culture, the lines forms to the left. Kane Brown embodies the American traditional of watering down a consumable to have it appeal to the widest possible audience to maximize its commercial performance.
altaltcountry
November 20, 2018 @ 8:51 am
A brief explanation for Kane Brown defenders:
If someone says “XYZ’s music is bad” all they are saying is “XYZ is not to my taste.” I’m sure someone somewhere doesn’t like Hank Williams.
If someone says “XYZ’s music isn’t country” what they mean is “XYZ’s music is outside the rather broad category of traditional country music.” The problem is not that Kane Brown is is introducing rap into country. Brown is NOT rap, he’s pop–if Rolling Stone profiled him as the savior of rap music, there would be a similar outcry from fans of that genre.This is important in the case of pop musicians like Kane Brown (or Sam Hunt or Taylor Swift) because pop chokes out the distinctive features of whatever genre it’s injected into. And in doing so, it stifles musicians who are earnestly trying to respect the past and provide a new take on traditional forms.
Pop is the kudzu of music. If your taste runs to pop music, great. No one has the right to tell you what you should like. Kudzu is a very effective ground cover and doesn’t have to be mowed. But don’t be shocked if your next-door neighbor complains about your landscaping.
Fuzzy TwoShirts
November 20, 2018 @ 10:11 am
as a bit of an analogy-enthusiast myself:
you sir, craft one heck of an analogy.
Dooley
November 20, 2018 @ 12:46 pm
With a project title like “Experiment” I was suspicious it was going to be something completely out of the genre. But I am really surprised how well it represents commercial country music of today. One may even hear traces from the 1990’s!
It’s simply a well done, diverse offering of likeable melodies and hooks, that relies much more on guitars vs. electronics than other contemporaries. Just like R&B is part of Ronnie Milsaps DNA, it shows in KB’s sound.
If one listens to the Top-10 of the Hot 100 these days, it is basically a listing of HipHop/Rap sounds. In other words, this is the pop music of today – obviously requested by the majority of the listening audience in the world. Even Latin Sounds are full of it (think Reggaeton). It’s a fact that HipHop beats are a sign of the times of today. And that is something, commercial country music has always been incorporating. Otherwise it would be called traditional country music.
I wouldn’t call KB the future of country music. Everything has become too shortlived for that. But he has a unique voice, an ear for melodies and hooks and pretty good grasp of what is commercial. And there are enough country elements in his music, that would make it sound completely out of place on the aforementioned Hot 100.
Trigger
November 20, 2018 @ 3:35 pm
There’s nothing in Kane Brown’s music that even comes close to resembling 90’s country. This is a media narrative based off of Millennial nostalgia that has no basis in reality. Not even “Short Skirt Weather” is 90’s country.
Trigger
November 20, 2018 @ 4:16 pm
Sorry to be so dismissive, but “90’s Country” has become a default crutch phrase for just about any modern “country” music, from Walker Hayes, to that Lauren Alaina song. Yes, Kane Brown is slightly more “country” than most modern radio artists, but saying it has anything akin to country music from 25 years ago is revisionist history.
Chris
November 23, 2018 @ 4:36 pm
The type of R&B that influenced Ronnie Milsap was soul music – Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, Chuck Jackson, performers who put their heart and soul into singing and lifted the listener’s spirits with their voices. The type of R&B that influences Kane Brown is hip-hop – Drake, Post Malone, Cardi B, performers who rely on samples, repetitive and monotonous beats and can’t carry a tune without autotune. It doesn’t even deserve to be called R&B in my opinion because there’s no “blues” in it. Apples and oranges when it comes to Ronnie Milsap vs. Kane Brown.
As far as ’90s country goes, though a lot of it was adult contemporary with a twang and a fiddle, it was still recognizable as country.
It seems to me that the fact that music like Kane Brown’s is labeled as country shows not only what a sorry state country music is in, but pop as well. Were Kane Brown’s music played on pop radio I would consider it some of the better pop music around. It’s certainly better than Halsey Dua Cabello Grande Gomez Swift warbling the latest Max Martin-penned autotuned crapfest.
Karen N.
November 20, 2018 @ 5:43 pm
I am in my early 60s…old by many standards, I realize. I grew up on my parents’ love of the likes of Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Flatt & Scruggs, Bill Monroe, Charley Pride, Loretta Lynn, Sonny James, and the list goes on and on. I, too, learned the love for Country and Bluegrass, but for no other reason than the music itself. (I also like popular music.) That said, I like to think that I, like the artists and the music itself, have evolved. I can still appreciate and enjoy old Country, and I am young at heart enough to also appreciate a lot (not all) of new country. And, dang, Kane Brown has one beautiful baritone voice, and one unassuming delivery style, and I find him downright sexy and sweet! Yes, I’m conservative enough to have to overlook the tattoos and piercings that to me draw attention away from the person. If Kane Brown tops charts it’s his music doing so…and his personal likeability. His music caught my attention (WHAT IFS; HEAVEN….), and then I researched the man. Ironically, one of the first videos I found featuring Kane was him singing Randy Travis’s THREE WOODEN CROSSES in studio with a surprise visit from Randy Travis himself during the song. I loved Kane’s reaction, his humility, his kindness to Randy, and his ability to continue the song—doing Randy proud, I believe! I love Kane’s seeming value system and his lack of arrogance. Such make the man sexy in my book! Kane, your voice is beautiful, your songs touch hearts, your beautiful soul shines through when you sing. I will remain a fan as long as your music touches me, and at the point it no longer touches me, your music to date will continue to! And to any who question your personal oppression, they might take a listen to your story and lessons learned from your experiences in your song LEARNING! And for your naysayers, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.”
altaltcountry
November 21, 2018 @ 7:04 am
We may disagree about the merits of Kane Brown’s material, but you’ve made a good argument, and you’ve shown that not all of Brown’s fans are illiterate teeny-boppers who know little and care less about real country music.
Karen N.
November 21, 2018 @ 10:02 am
Aw, altaltcountry, thank you for your kind reply! (I’m only a teeny-bopper inside; though my mirror argues with me!) Long live country music, and may there always be material that offers something for everyone that has a fondness for the genre! I am grateful for respectful differences of opinion. I have lots of friends who have little to no appreciation for country in general. But that’s okay, as I have difficulty appreciating most opera music, despite the talent it takes to sing it.
Pierre Brunelle
November 21, 2018 @ 8:01 am
Karen,
No one can judge your taste in music. I am not judging the merit of his music. The only thing that we are highlighting is the fact that his music doesn’t relate to the country music format.
For instance, do I enjoy Marc Anthony salsa music? Yes. Does Marc Anthony music belongs to american country music? No.
If Marc Anthony would release a salsa album but would call it country, I would say that it is a disgrace to salsa music and country music. Do you understand my point?
Karen N.
November 21, 2018 @ 10:12 am
Pierre,
Thank you for respectful reply. The only issue I might take with your example provided to prove your point is that no one–at least not to my knowledge–has slotted Marc Anthony’s salsa music into the country genre. But I think it’s A-OK for individuals to have the opinion that Kane Brown’s music doesn’t fit their own definition of country music. I certainly could name popular “country” artists who don’t quite fit my own definition for the genre, yet I wouldn’t suggest to anyone that I don’t think they belong to the genre. Just as they say beauty is in the eye of the beholder, I think music/artist appreciation works the same way. Different strokes for different folks!
StraitOuttaNashville
November 21, 2018 @ 6:18 pm
Frankly Kane Brown is just not that talented of an artist in my opinion. He just average at best. Genre aside I haven’t heard one song of his that was any good. He won’t leave a lasting mark, he’ll be average for 10 years and be gone. I could care less what he looks like, he is just an average Pop music artist who isn’t even as good as Sam Hunt. Both would never make a move like Taylor Swift because they just are not that good in general. Just my opinion.
Patribella
November 30, 2018 @ 11:21 pm
Okay, this article bothers me on many levels….
Do you think you’re being slightly dramatic and scapegoating him just a wee bit ? I can think of 10 top country artists off the top of my head who have segued into the pop arena in recent years. So it seems you are unfairly punishing the kid just because people like his music and it didn’t take him 20 years to accomplish ??
Just like Rock, there is no ‘one kind’ of Country Music….. but many forms within the genre.
Kane seems to have worked really hard to get where he is and seems very appreciative and humble of all he’s achieved…. so can’t we just let the poor kid enjoy his success?
PS: Regarding Trigger’s IQ comment.. I kinda like Kane Brown and my IQ is 160 .. so do I get a gold star for being able to maintain both my love of Kane Brown and my intelligence level :b
In fact, I love a variety of artists from Chris Stapleton to Conway Twitty and Patsy Cline to Jon Pardi….. because for true country lovers, there is noooo box babe :))
Maryann Hughes
November 6, 2021 @ 10:54 am
Right on!
Jennifer Walters
January 31, 2019 @ 9:39 am
There is all diff type of country and Kane Brown is one he writes his own music people need to stop being so jeauistus Kane Brown is the best thing that happened to country From is number 1 fan
James Breen
February 10, 2019 @ 5:17 pm
I have no idea about most of what you write(or why?) but I can say one thing from a person that doesn’t care for country music…this guy sings unambiguously country music. There is not much pop or R&B discernible at all in his sound and he has the same goofy lyrics and subject of typical country songs. He is literally everything I dislike about country music in one package. I thought when I went to listen to him today that he would be pulling in some different genre’s for something new and interesting(example: Old Dominion, now that is band with a heavy pop influence and I like them) but he just writes red pick-up truck music. If you can’t hear that, you do have some bias’ blocking your ears.
Angela Glenn
June 21, 2019 @ 6:24 pm
Love your music
Amy
August 2, 2019 @ 12:17 pm
Couldn’t have read anything more inaccurate. Kane Brown may not wear a belt buckle and a big ugly hat but neither do most modern country stars. Music evolves. Get with the program and quit complaining.
Debbie
October 17, 2019 @ 9:19 pm
I Like to hear Kane Brown sing, not many of his songs are of correlation to me, yet, my first question is who is the man supporting for President 2020 ?
I will be promoting him with all of my might, if he answers correctly.
I have no idea how to reach Kane Brown, yet, this is very important to me.
kaelee
January 7, 2021 @ 7:12 am
i love kane brown
Emanuel Stamathis
June 3, 2021 @ 9:04 pm
Great article! Social Engineering at it’s worse! I’m tired of being pandered to by woke commercials and this skewing of music Genres. Hip hop doesn’t need Country and Country doesn’t need Hip Hop! It’s really a moot point as Country music fans Of all fans will not eat this crap by sanctimonious idiot writers and publicists trying to sell them.
KS
July 30, 2021 @ 9:48 pm
What? So music is about people. And, you are basically saying the people don’t need each other (if they don’t like each others’ music)? Lord, help us all. That is ridiculous.
KS
July 30, 2021 @ 9:50 pm
I had so much to say but the mag hasn’t posted my comment. Says a lot.
Trigger
July 31, 2021 @ 7:11 am
Your comment was posted minutes after it was submitted. Post away.
Maryann Hughes
November 6, 2021 @ 10:50 am
I think your article is rambling and pointless.