Country music has long been known among die-hard fans to be cool, but there's been a surge in new fans dipping their toes into the genre. Much of this is down to artists like Beyoncé and Post Malone trying out country-leaning projects, but there's probably another reason too: rebellion.
Is country music the new rebel genre?
Comedian Andrew Schultz makes a strong statement in his podcast “Fragrant” about the interesting connection between country music, hip hop, and rock music: Essentially, he says, each genre is popular because its content goes against the grain.
“Being a guy who loves country and thinks my country is cool. I'm gonna wear cowboy boots. I'm gonna wear a cowboy hat. This is gonna make my jeans hang down,” he says, comparing the genre to hip hop.
“Acting like a country boy is a rebellion against a pop culture dominated by hip-hop,” he added.
“Hip hop is going through what rock music went through. When rock music came out, it was like a rebellious rejection of society. Hip hop came along and did the same thing,” he continues. “Now country is popular because it's rebellious.”
Check out the clip below: (WARNING: This clip contains explicit language)
Is country music popular again?
Country music is definitely on the rise right now, with more and more fans. Many artists, such as Morgan Wallen, Luke Combs, and Jelly Roll, have achieved superstardom beyond the bounds of country music. Each artist has appeared on the Billboard Artist 100 list once or twice, with some even reaching the top.
Country music has always been cool to those who grew up on it because of its authenticity and passion, and the idea that this music is simply “three chords and the truth” is what fascinates fans and other artists.
Jess is the host of the syndicated radio show “Taste of Country Weekend” which can be heard on country stations nationwide. Tune in to hear all the best country music, feature new and emerging artists, double down on your favorite songs, and more. Your weekend will always be better with a little Taste of Country.
Billboard's Top 10 Country Artists of 2023
Gallery credit: Jess