Some Rapper in a Garth Brooks T-Shirt Named Riff Raff is Going Country
WARNING: Some Language
You know, I would normally be so diametrically opposed to any rapper announcing his intent to make a country record that I would puff my chest out in defiance, shake my little fists, and give other indications of a stony countenance to let them know that I’ll be damned if they waltz through the gates of country music without at least a strong dose of hostile friction from my disgruntled ass.
But hey, this guy’s got a goddamn Garth Brook T-shirt on, so he must be okay, right? I mean it’s Garth Brooks for crying out loud. “Friends In Low Places” and shit. So this dude clearly must be a massive country music fan. He must eat and shit country music and have a knowledge of the genre so vast, I’d be a boob for opposing his inclusion in the format. So let’s roll out the red carpet and get the welcome wagon up and running. Let’s book him for a duet with Sam Hunt on the CMA Awards, and sign up the girls in CMT’s Next Women of Country program to strip down to their skives and twerk in his stupid ass videos. You own a Garth Brooks T-shirt Mr. Riff Raff? Well then come on in buddy because you are clearly super freaking awesome and a country music lifer.
After all, he’s from Houston, which should give him carte blanche in country music even if he was reppin’ Jay-Z on his tee. Houston born? Well then the defense rests. Clearly he deserves country music superstardom and anyone who opposes him is a bucktooth, closed-minded fool. Country music needs to evolve, assholes.
Riff Raff, who also goes by Jodi Highroller and has a penchant for typing in all caps except for the letter ‘i’, showed his brilliant acumen for country music on Tuesday by taking to his stupid Instagram account to solicit for help on a country record he wants to make called Truck Stuff & Butterscotch Butts. He’s got the title and the look down, which is basically all you need in hip-hop (and country these days), but admits to having nothing else provisioned for his foray into country.
It’s fair to point out that “Riff Raff” is prone to bullshit and sensationalism. But is anyone second guessing his intention here? It’s basically a right of passage for anyone that happens to be in the public spotlight in any capacity to make a country music record these days. Miss America Betty Cantrell? Sure. A 68-year-old Steven Tyler? Why the hell not. You can even admit at the start that you don’t know what the fuck you’re doing, you don’t know any country players, you have no intention to write your own material, or even know what you want to sing about. But hey it’s cool because did you see my Garth Brooks T-Shirt?
I hate the world.
READ: The Country Music Collaborator / Interloper Field Guide
Janice Brooks
July 6, 2016 @ 6:49 pm
I’m busy here tonight but not to busy to say give it up guy. An 8 member band will get pennys.
Matty T
July 6, 2016 @ 6:56 pm
Riff raff is a professional troll. His rap career is literally one big joke. I think what he’s doing is incredibly stupid and I agree with every word in your article but I don’t see it adding up to much.
Mark Grondin
July 6, 2016 @ 7:07 pm
Speaking as a professional who has covered two of RiFF RAFF’s albums… the scary thing is that he’s touched into acoustic country-leaning music before on his first record with some of the most godawful writing you’ll find in music PERIOD. I don’t doubt he’s serious here, but I also wouldn’t give him the time of day – he makes awful hip-hop, his most recent release has been panned, and he’s probably desperate to see his five seconds of fame stretch a little longer.
I suspect either publicity stunt or too much dirty sprite.
Joyce Overly
July 6, 2016 @ 7:24 pm
Wasn’t Riff Raff in Rocky Horror?
Brett Dale
July 6, 2016 @ 10:50 pm
Yep the actor that played him is a kiwi. I think he wrote it also.
Mo Crawford
July 6, 2016 @ 7:33 pm
People look at the success of all these horrible idiotic mainstream country acts and think “I could do that “, just like every failed baseball/football player tries country
Justin
July 7, 2016 @ 6:36 am
Dude….terry Bradshaw was a legit country singer
I miss Steve Gaines
July 7, 2016 @ 8:38 am
Nice I forgot got that Justin, LOL
ElectricOutcast
July 6, 2016 @ 7:34 pm
As an unapologetic Garth fan, I cannot tell you how INSULTED I AM BEYOND BELIEF!!!
I’ll tell you this, I got my San Antonio vacation coming up in three weeks (where I’ll see Garth over there) and already I think I’m about to have a mental breakdown to the point of wanting to scream when I want to save my screaming when I get there. But the events of last month and already what’s been happening this month it’s making me want to bash an old PlayStation 2 against my head until it bleeds.
justin casey
July 6, 2016 @ 8:00 pm
being from houston i’ve heard his name, seen his albums in stores all over the place, and heard his music and he sucks but i’m not sure if him being a terrible rapper is all part of his act or if he’s legitimately trying but personally speaking i don’t want him anywhere near country music and i hope he gets laughed right out of nashville
Trigger
July 7, 2016 @ 8:48 am
Yes, I agree with this. I am totally aware of the theories out there that his act is just one big joke, though I’m also seeing folks who say that he’s trying to be serious, at least part of the time. For me, I’m not going to take any chances that this is a joke, whether it ultimately is. We’ve got plenty of comedic country artists. We don’t need this dude coming in and siphoning off attention from the folks who may be funny, but clearly still have respect for the genre.
Kale
July 6, 2016 @ 8:35 pm
Everybody knows all you have to do to become the next big thing in country music these days is walk into a record label (or make your own video) and either rap or do your best Justin Timberlake impression. That’s the best way to do it. Having talent is a turnoff. Don’t nobody wanna hear some country crooner with a guitar pour his heart and soul out to bar patrons every night. That means they know what country is. Worse, they probably have integrity. The bigwigs can’t do nothin’ with them, but some uncultured tool with no real talent? Sign him up immediately! And Heaven forbid a woman wants to be taken seriously as a country singer. Haven’t you heard? Women are the tomatoes of the salad, while men are the lettuce. Nobody is interested in seeing a talented lady sing country music, not even a hot one. But put an ass shaking, white boy rapping, obviously “country” douchebag on stage and everybody gushes, cuz they represent what country’s all about, bro! Get with the program!
Andrew
July 7, 2016 @ 9:17 am
You make it sound as if country music has become one big joke…
Brett Dale
July 6, 2016 @ 10:49 pm
I dont think its fair to connect Garth to this dipstick guy.
Personally Im more interested in the annoucement Garth has on July 7th.
Apparently its going to be about his new album.
Trigger
July 6, 2016 @ 11:11 pm
My intent was not to connect Garth Brooks to this guy. I was merely pointing out the facade of wearing a Garth Brooks T-shirt to seel yourself as a country artist.
Kale
July 6, 2016 @ 11:34 pm
Holy fuckin’ shit… Has anybody seen Thomas Rhett’s horrendous moves? I happened to see the picture of the Youtube video of T-Shirt. I boycott stupid songs like that, but the picture has him striking some ridiculous pose that reminds me of Egyptian dances. Or at least that’s how I saw it. I still remember the cover of Cole Swindell’s #1(?!?!) EP from a couple years ago that had him bending with his backwards ball cap on, obviously attempting to rap. It boggles my mind that these buffoons do these things on purpose. They think they look cool, and what’s even sadder is their fans also seem to think it’s cool. Newsflash fellas: You don’t look cool, you look like brainless douchebags.
P.S. Trig, you need to rant about Fix. That monstrosity is too evil to go unpunished.
MOreb
July 6, 2016 @ 11:37 pm
I think his shift key works for Apple. Weirdest capitalization conventions I’ve seen.
DimM
July 7, 2016 @ 12:48 am
He’s from Houston but all he needs is a songwriter named Dallas to make it in Nashville.
Nadia Lockheart
July 7, 2016 @ 12:50 am
Forget Riff Raff. Can we have Hurray for the Riff Raff cut another worthwhile album instead?
albert
July 7, 2016 @ 1:07 am
Trigger…..Once again you have absolutely SLAYED me with your latest article above . SLAYED !! Right down to your last line . This whole ‘country’ music circus is beyond bewildering . I’m still trying to choke down the Sam Hunt story after more than a year and there’s been a parade of wannabes since that I can’t and don’t even want to keep up with . But sometimes , a guy like the guy you ‘ve profiled above is just too funny to even get upset about . He doesn’t have snowball’s chance of ….well ….err……hmmm…Jesus ..maybe he DOES !!!!
Wordsworth
July 7, 2016 @ 4:34 am
I thought Riff Raff was the short cat that dressed like a pimp on Heathcliff.
Dallas
July 7, 2016 @ 5:13 am
In Mr Riff Raff’s defense at least he’s looking for a fiddle player so he would immediately be more country than 75% of what is on The Highway. My God has anyone heard “Float Your Boat” by Ryan Follese? It makes Vacation sound like…the second worst “country” song I’ve heard this year.
justin casey
July 7, 2016 @ 10:28 am
heard it on the highway a few days ago and it sucks and to make matters worse it’s another crossover from pop music the guy’s the lead singer of hot chelle rae (the biggest one hit wonder in pop music from 2011)
the pistolero
July 7, 2016 @ 5:37 pm
“Float Your Boat” by Ryan Follese
Man, that song is hot garbage. I had to go cleanse my ears with Jason Boland.
Paul
July 7, 2016 @ 6:17 am
That name “Truck Stuff & Butterscotch Butts” tells you all you need to know about the brand of ‘country’ he’ll be peddling.
Davey Smith
July 7, 2016 @ 6:56 am
COME ON TRiG…. THE DUDE’S JUST A GOOFBALL, NOT SOME SORT OF iNTERLOPER TRYiNG TO SUBVERT THE GENRE, HE’S JUST A TROLL YOU’RE FEEDiNG. NOBODY iN THE RAP GAME TAKES HiM SERiOUSLY AND NEiTHER SHOULD ANYONE iN COUNTRY.
ElectricOutcast
July 7, 2016 @ 8:45 am
In more positive news, Garth has just signed with Sirius XM for a new exclusive channel called “The Garth Channel” joining the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Kenny Chesney, Pearl Jam and Frank Sinatra for the format.
Chris
July 7, 2016 @ 11:01 am
Well, he does look like riff raff.
Levi
July 7, 2016 @ 12:42 pm
Look, y’all are being ridiculous. Country music isn’t sure anymore. Neither is rap, rock, punk, or even pop. Anything can happen. I still listen to the classics, but you gotta keep you mind open. Sure, riff raff seems like a joke. But he’s honestly just an incarnation of a generation that is taking form. Some of his music isn’t even that bad. he’ll never be the most important player on the scene, but give the man a chance. Anyone who can put on as much muscle as he did has likely earned my respect. Again, no hate. Y’all keep safe.
Trigger
July 7, 2016 @ 3:03 pm
Riff Raff is having some fun at country music’s expense. So I decided to have some fun at Riff Raff’s expense. Nobody’s mother is getting threatened here. If and when he releases a country record, I will listen to it as objectively as I listen to any record. And if it is good in my view, I will say so.
Tom
July 7, 2016 @ 2:17 pm
See…he’s not just forming a band, he’s forming a “COUNTRY ROCK BAND.” Hell, they’re the next Old 97’s. The next friggin’ Nitty Gritty Dirt Band is comin’ through and Jodi Highroller is leading the cavalry! This s**t is GOLD.
I doubt this jackwagon could even recognize an original, published country song if he heard one or read the lyrics. I think people should send him all kinds of songs and play them off as their own written material. That way, he can be dumb enough to record them and proceed to get sued for copyright infringement, thus hopefully ending any concerns of possibly hearing his voice on the radio. Personally, I’d love to hear his version of “Amos Moses.”
JohnWayneTwitty
July 7, 2016 @ 4:35 pm
Seeing what keeps happening to country music is like having to watch a rhinocerous have diarrhea on my grandma every day.
I wish they’d stop shitting on what I love.
Shane
July 8, 2016 @ 3:34 pm
And country music continues to be the genre everyone flocks to because apparently anyone can do it.
WestTexasRain
July 8, 2016 @ 4:05 pm
Riff Raff is like ICP nobody is supposed to take anything they sing about or talk about seriously they’re jokes and they know it.
Will
July 11, 2016 @ 9:05 am
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4nc3nD6aVw
Riff Raff is a professional troll. He’s not trying to be legit. He is trolling. The entire purpose of his act is to entertain, comment, and evoke strong emotional responses. He is not like ICP. If anything he’s especially making fun of things like ICP. The closest analogy would be Lil B. If anything Riff Raff is a social experiment.
If you are mad or angry at Riff Raff you’ve only given him what he wants.
There is also a low chance this actually happens. Part of his act is that he boasts. He said he was going to be a professional wrestler. He said he was going to release 10 albums in one year. This country music deal just aligns with his alter ego, “Clarence Clementine.”