Meet The Black Artists Revolutionizing Country Music

Sunday’s ACM Awards have been the most inclusive ceremony in its history, finally offering reparations to the Black community.

Country music’s roots date way back to 17th-century Black slave ships. Often overlooked genres like jazz and blues, which are also influenced by people of color, are rooted in Black traditions and instruments, such as the banjo.

Mickey Guyton, Kane Brown, Darius Rucker, and Jimmie Allen are some of the artists revolutionizing representation in country music, and we are excited to see the genre’s audience become more racially diverse.

Country music singer Mickey Guyton is the first African-American woman to co-host the Academy of Country Music Awards with Keith Urban, and performed her song “Hold On” during the show.

Mickey Guyton and Keith Urban, Photo by Kevin Mazur/GettyImages

The new mom is not unfamiliar with paving the way in the world of country music. Guyton made history last year at the ACMA’s as the first Black female solo artist to perform her own song, and in March, she became the first Black female solo artist to be nominated in the Grammy’s country music category. At the ceremony, she performed “Black Like Me,” which was released just eight days after George Floyd was killed, a song that addresses the discrimination she has experienced as a Black woman.

“As a woman, as a black woman, it is such an honor that people are giving me this opportunity to be heard and to hopefully insight change,” Guyton said to ET.

Cindy Mabe, president of Guyton’s label, Universal Music Group Nashville, reiterates how empowering it is for Guyton to embrace her roots. “She’s out on festival dates, and there are confederate flags flying around,” says Mabe. “She took on a whole completely different life of, ‘All right, this is what my mission is: my mission is to open the door wider for other people. I’m gonna say the things that are true to who I am,” she continued.

The ACMAs will present five Black acts to perform and 4 black nominees this year. Among the performers are Mickey Guyton, Kane Brown, Jimmie Allen, the husband and wife duo, The War and Treaty, and gospel star CeCe Winans alongside Carrie Underwood for a historic moment.

As for the new male artist of the year, Jimmie Allen, 34, is the first black artist to win that category. Allen made it to American Idol in 2011 but was cut before making it into the top 24.

Jimmie Allen and Fiance Alexis Gale. Photo by John Shearer/WireImage

“Representation is super important. It’s kind of hard to tell a young black kid “you can be a country artist,” when they don’t see any, you know, so it’s good to have that,” says Allen, who was once homeless and living in his car. “I got into country music because of my daddy. All he listened to was country music. I wouldn’t be here without my father,” he continues as he shows gratitude towards his father’s influence on his music career.

Kane Brown became the first Black male solo artist to win ‘Video of the Year’ and was nominated for the Album of the Year award. The 27-year-old took the stage with Chris Young in “Famous Friends.” A few years ago, the singer worked at FedEx and spent his time posting his songs on social media. “It’s crazy. I started in my bathroom. I grew up with nothing. I’m just glad that I can support myself now,” says Brown.

Kane Brown and Chris Young. Photo by Jason Kempin/GettyImages

The singer is preparing for his ‘Blessed and Free’ fall tour, “I’m kinda nervous. I hope I don’t forget any lyrics or anything like that,” says Brown as he will be performing at 35 cities and is the first country artist ever to play all 29 NBA arenas, making history. “I love basketball, so we’re trying to make it a thing where I play at least one person from each team. Hopefully, I get a 10-day contract or something,” he jokes.

Damon Whiteside, CEO of the Academy of Country Music, states he is very proud to have Guyton as the co-host. “She’s got a wonderful personality and is so talented. And she’s a member of our Diversity and Inclusion Task Force, so we work a lot with her,” says Whiteside.

As we continue to expect the Academy of Country Music Awards to flourish with its growing level of diversity, it is refreshing to see the representation of Black artists in country music, a once gentrified genre, breaking through former barriers. This year’s award ceremony shows us what the future of country music could look like.