History
Country rap is a relatively new genre that fuses elements of traditional country music with hip-hop beats and lyrics. The genre gained popularity in the early 2010s and has since become a staple of contemporary music.
The origins of country rap can be traced back to the 1990s, with artists like Kid Rock and Bubba Sparxxx blending country and hip-hop sounds. However, it wasn't until the early 2000s that the genre started to gain more mainstream attention.
One of the earliest and most well-known country rap songs is "Achy Breaky Heart" by Billy Ray Cyrus. Released in 1992, the song became a massive hit and propelled Cyrus to stardom. While "Achy Breaky Heart" doesn't have a traditional hip-hop beat, it incorporates elements of rap with its catchy, repetitive chorus.
Another early example of country rap is "Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)" by Big & Rich. Released in 2004, the song features a heavy hip-hop beat and lyrics that blend country phrases with rap-style rhymes. The song became a hit and helped to further popularize the genre.
In 2010, country rapper Colt Ford released his debut album, "Ride Through the Country." The album features collaborations with country artists like John Michael Montgomery and Jamey Johnson, as well as rappers like Bone Crusher and Kevin Fowler. The album's title track became a hit on country radio, and Ford has since become one of the most well-known artists in the genre.
That same year, the duo Florida Georgia Line released their debut single, "Cruise." The song features a hip-hop beat and lyrics that blend traditional country themes with rap-style rhymes. "Cruise" became a massive hit, spending multiple weeks at the top of the country charts and crossing over into the pop charts as well.
Since then, country rap has continued to grow in popularity, with artists like Lil Nas X, Blanco Brown, and Nelly releasing massive hits that incorporate elements of both genres. Lil Nas X's "Old Town Road" spent a record-breaking 19 weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart, while Blanco Brown's "The Git Up" became a viral dance sensation.
Critics of country rap have argued that the genre dilutes the authenticity of both hip-hop and country music, and that it's simply a ploy to appeal to a wider audience. However, fans of the genre argue that it represents a new form of musical expression that blends two traditionally distinct genres in an innovative way.
Notable artists
Lil Nas X: As the artist behind the viral hit "Old Town Road," Lil Nas X quickly became one of the most recognizable names in country rap. His blending of hip-hop sensibilities with country instrumentation resulted in a crossover success that dominated the charts for weeks.
Cowboy Troy: Known for his towering height and signature cowboy hat, Cowboy Troy has been a staple of the country rap scene for over a decade. He has collaborated with other notable country and rap performers, including Big & Rich and Ludacris.
Bubba Sparxxx: With hits like "Ugly" and "Ms. New Booty," Bubba Sparxxx was one of the earliest pioneers of the country rap sound. His deep, Southern drawl and affinity for rural imagery helped to define the genre.
Colt Ford: As a former professional golfer turned musician, Colt Ford's unconventional background has only added to his appeal as a country rap artist. He has released numerous albums since 2008, and his collaborations with other notable musicians have helped to bring the genre into the mainstream.
Nelly: Although primarily known as a rapper, Nelly has dabbled in country rap with his 2013 album "M.O." The album featured collaborations with country stars like Florida Georgia Line and Tim McGraw, as well as several tracks that blended country instrumentation with hip-hop beats.
Jelly Roll: With a deep, gravelly voice and an unflinching honesty in his lyrics, Jelly Roll has developed a considerable following in the country rap scene. His music blends hip-hop, blues, and country influences, resulting in a unique sound that has resonated with fans.
Upchurch: Ryan Upchurch, known by his stage name Upchurch, is a Tennessee-born country rapper who rose to fame through his online presence. His blend of hip-hop and traditional country has attracted a strong following in the South and beyond.
Yelawolf: Born in Alabama and raised in Tennessee, Yelawolf's upbringing in the rural South heavily influenced his music. He has collaborated with other country rap artists like Bubba Sparxxx and Jelly Roll, as well as high-profile rap artists like Eminem.
The Lacs: Formed in Georgia in 2002, The Lacs have become one of the biggest groups in country rap. With a sound that blends traditional country music with hard-hitting rap beats, they have released numerous albums and have collaborated with other notable artists like Colt Ford and Cypress Spring.
Demun Jones: Hailing from Georgia, Demun Jones has been a fixture in the country rap scene for over a decade. In addition to his solo work, he has collaborated with other artists like Colt Ford and The Lacs. His versatile sound incorporates elements of rap, country, and rock.
Broader context
In "Hick-hop and the Hybridization of Southern Rap and Country Music," (2014) Ed Crowell and Ryan Lightsey provide a comprehensive analysis of the genre. They note that country rap emerged in the 1990s, but gained significant momentum in the early 2000s, fueled by the popularity of artists such as Bubba Sparxxx and Cowboy Troy. The authors describe country rap as a fusion of "country storytelling, southern slang, and rap lyrics and beats," that appeals to predominantly white, rural audiences.
Music journalist Dave Paulson, in "Country rap? Some people get mad, others shake their tail feathers" (The Tennessean, 2015), observes that country rap has been polarizing, attracting both criticism and praise. He quotes Colt Ford, one of the pioneers of the genre, who notes that "country rap is just who we are, it's another way of expressing ourselves. We're not trying to be anything we're not."
Music critic Mikael Wood, in "Like It or Not, Hick-Hop Often Works; Bubba Sparxxx leads crop; its hooks could cross borders, critics say" (Los Angeles Times, 2003), notes that country rap defies conventional genre boundaries. He states, "Hick-hop is more than a stylistic curiosity or a novelty act designed to attract attention with funny accents and unlikely samplings (though it can be that, too). Instead, it's an authentic southern mash-up, one that's rooted in cultural cross-pollination and speaks to both hip-hop heads and truck-riding rednecks."
In "Country Hip-Hop is Real, and It's Spectacular," (Rolling Stone, 2016), Jeff Gage quotes Big Smo,a prominent country rapper who notes that the genre has evolved and diversified over the years. Smo comments, "Nowadays there are facets of artists that can come out of genre-bending and country rap that no one would ever expect. It's the coolest thing that's happening in music right now."
Academic researchers have also chimed in on country rap. In "Southern Hip-Hop and the Politics of Sonic Memory," (2019) Regina Bradley analyses the relationship between southern hip-hop and country rap. Bradley acknowledges the cultural significance of the genre, noting that it "remembers (and reimagines) the rural South and her peoples and seeks to include them in the larger conversation of southernness, hip-hop, and southernness in hip-hop."
Firstly, the emergence of country rap can be seen as a response to the changing social and cultural landscape of the Southern United States. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, the region was undergoing significant demographic shifts, with increasing numbers of African Americans and Latinos moving into traditionally white rural areas. This process of demographic diversification challenged traditional notions of southern culture, which were rooted in white, rural, and conservative ideals. Country rap offered a way to bridge the divide between different cultural groups, combining elements of both southern identity and African American musical traditions.
One notable example of this cultural hybridity is the music of Big Smo, a rapper from Unionville, Tennessee. Smo's music draws heavily on traditional country themes, such as trucks, guns, and beer, but also incorporates elements of hip hop, including sparse beats, rapping, and electronic production. In this way, country rap can be seen as a way to negotiate cultural difference and create a sense of shared identity across social and ethnic boundaries.
Another factor that contributed to the rise of country rap is technological innovation. The 1990s and early 2000s saw the widespread adoption of digital audio recording and production equipment, which allowed musicians to create high-quality recordings without the need for expensive studio time. This democratization of recording technology allowed independent artists to create their own music and distribute it online, bypassing traditional gatekeepers such as record labels and radio stations.
One notable example of this DIY approach is the country rap group Lacs, who started as a self-produced duo and eventually signed with the independent record label Average Joes Entertainment. The group's music combines traditional country themes with rap-style vocals and heavy basslines, and they have amassed a loyal following through their energetic live performances and grassroots marketing efforts.
Finally, the rise of country rap can be seen as part of a broader trend towards musical hybridity and cultural globalization. The 1990s and early 2000s saw the emergence of a number of musical genres that combined elements from different cultural traditions, such as reggaeton, bhangra, and Latin hip hop.
Country rap can be seen as part of this broader trend, combining elements of two distinct musical traditions in a way that speaks to the changing cultural landscape of the southern United States. While the genre has faced some criticism from both country purists and hip hop fans, it has also received significant critical and commercial success, with artists such as Cowboy Troy and Bubba Sparxxx breaking into the mainstream and earning critical acclaim.