Morris’s Exit Highlights Country Music’s Crisis

Maren Morris, a prominent country and pop artist known for hits like “The Middle” and “The Bones,” has recently distanced herself from the country music genre. Her decision is rooted in her belief that country music has failed to address the rampant sexism and racism found in some artists and songs within the genre. Morris pointed to the biases that became evident during the Trump years, exposing misogyny, racism, homophobia, and transphobia among some fans and artists.

This move by Morris coincides with the emergence of country songs with far-right and racist messages, such as Jason Aldean’s “Try That in a Small Town” and Oliver Anthony’s “Rich Men North of Richmond.” These songs gained popularity and were embraced by the political right, raising concerns about the genre’s alignment with far-right politics.

Maren Morris is part of a group of high-profile female country artists who have taken public stands against the genre’s associations with racism, sexism, and homophobia. Others, like Kacey Musgraves and Kelsea Ballerini, have also used their music and performances to advocate for LGBTQ rights. Mickey Guyton, the only Black woman to be nominated for a solo country Grammy, has spoken out about her experiences with racism in the industry.

This development highlights the ongoing challenges facing country music, including disparities in radio play for women and Black artists, problematic lyrics, and a lack of support for minority and women artists from awards shows and record labels. While the genre has made some progress in addressing these issues, recent controversies have underscored the need for a more comprehensive examination of the genre’s problems and a commitment to inclusivity.

Re-reported from the article originally published by Li Zhou