10 Country African American Artists You Should Know
Black Music Month is a time to honor the rich tapestry of sounds and stories woven by Black artists across genres, including the soulful twang of country music. Country music is a very white, male-dominated space, but don't be fooled by what's in the spotlight; many black and brown faces with talent have made big strides laying the foundation of roots and rhythm for the genre.
STAY INFORMED! CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER! Close
Thank you for subscribing! Please be sure to open and click your first newsletter so we can confirm your subscription.
DeFord Bailey started his career as a musician and writer in the 1920s and is considered the first African-American Country music star. Bailey was widely known for his harmonica playing and became one of the first artists to play on Nashville radio station WSM's Grand Ole Opry. It is said that his face was often concealed to hide his skin color/ethnicity during these times of segregation. And then there's Charlie Pride, who started off as a Negro League baseball player but switched careers becoming widely know as country music's first black superstar. Pride had an amazing career, outselling powerhouse stars like Elvis and John Denver. Pride won many awards during his career but in 2000 he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
✕
But we can't talk about African American pioneers in country music without talking about the first commercially successful black woman in the genre, Linda Martell. Martell started her career singing gospel and R&B but soon found her way to country music where her career took off. In 1970 she appeared on many country shows, including the popular Hee Haw, and the Grand Ole Opry radio broadcast, becoming the first black woman to perform on the show.
From trailblazers like Charlie Pride and DeFord Bailey to modern icons like Mickey Guyton and Kane Brown, these 10 Black country artists have shattered barriers, redefined the genre, and left an indelible mark on music history. Their voices echo resilience, innovation, and a legacy worth celebrating.
LIKE US ON FACEBOOK. FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM & TWITTER. SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE.
STAY INFORMED! CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER!
HEAD TO THE BLACKAMERICAWEB.COM HOMEPAGE
The article '10 Country African American Artists You Should Know' was created with the help of Jasper.AI
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
Watch as Jason Kelce rips off his pants for a good cause
Former Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce got patriotic (and cheeky) this week when he revealed his star-spangled underwear to a charity event crowd. On Wednesday, June 25, the Eagles Autism Foundation hosted two events in New Jersey: the Eagles Takeover in Sea Isle City and the 21+ event Team 62 at Ocean Drive, described as an "exclusive evening with Jason Kelce and his celebrity friends" on the organization's website. The second event was where Kelce made a grand entrance and ditched his knickers for a good cause. Video shows Kelce entering the sold-out gathering, standing on a lifeguard chair and ripping off his American flag pants to reveal briefs with a similar pattern underneath. Social media reacts On X, formerly Twitter, a video of the moment posted by the Philadelphia Eagles has received some mixed reactions. "That's pure Jason Kelce right there," commented user @CoachJClev. "Most players retire and disappear. Kelce climbs on a lifeguard chair in a flag Speedo because he genuinely loves his people." Some people commented on onlookers who appeared shocked by Kelce's reveal. "It was at this moment [that] she didn't know what to do with her eyes," commented user @UnderpaidCritic. However, other commenters might've wished they'd never watched the video at all. "Inappropriate," commented one user. "I did not need to see Jason Kelce that up close," said another. What is the Eagles Autism Foundation? The Eagles Autism Foundation is a non-profit that raises funds for "innovative research and care programs" for those with autism. "Through research, advocacy, empathy and unity, our biggest strength is bringing people together, so we're inviting the world to join us. And together, we will make an impact that echoes around the globe," the foundation's website states. Through sources like happy hours, raffles, challenges and direct donations, the organization contributed $4.1 million in 2023 to research and community projects. The foundation also recently refreshed the sensory-friendly room at Lincoln Financial Field stadium, originally presented by the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia in 2019. Julia is a trending reporter for USA TODAY. Connect with her on LinkedIn,X, Instagram and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at jgomez@
San Francisco Chronicle
2 hours ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Anna Wintour is seeking a new Vogue editor-in-chief but will maintain editorial control
NEW YORK (AP) — Anna Wintour is stepping down as Vogue editor in chief but will retain editorial control over the storied magazine. The longtime Vogue powerhouse is seeking a head of editorial content to handle more of the day-to-day operations but is holding on to plenty of power to keep her a force at the magazine that built her reputation in fashion, a person familiar with the decision said Thursday. Wintour will remain chief content officer for Condé Nast and global editorial director of Vogue, said the person who was not authorized to speak about the change publicly. She broke the news to Vogue staff in a meeting earlier Thursday. The news shook the fashion world and Wintour-watchers on social media amid breathless headlines that she was 'stepping down' from Vogue. The new lead will report directly to Wintour in her capacity as global editorial director, the person said. As chief content officer, Wintour will continue to oversee every Condé Nast brand globally, including American Vogue, Wired, Vanity Fair, GQ, AD, Condé Nast Traveler, Glamour, Bon Appétit, Tatler, World of Interiors, Allure and more, with the exception of The New Yorker. Wintour also oversees the annual Met Gala, fashion's biggest night and a major fundraiser for the fashion wing of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. And she'll remain involved in Vogue World, a traveling fashion and cultural event the magazine began in 2022. Four years ago, Condé Nast changed its editorial structure, bringing together editorial teams around the world for the first time. Every market where Condé Nast operates has a head of editorial content led by a global editorial director. The new role at American Vogue is part of that reorganization. The new structure has already been rolled out at other Vogue titles around the world. The company will not seek an editor in chief to replace Wintour at American Vogue, replacing that title with the new head of editorial content. The idea is to afford Wintour more time to tend to other titles in her portfolio. Wintour transformed Vogue during her decades at the magazine. She was named creative director in 1983, served as editor in chief of British Vogue from 1985 to 1987 then rejoined the American title as editor in chief. She modernized the magazine by featuring celebrities on its covers and mixing high fashion with more affordable street style. She championed emerging designers, including Marc Jacobs, Alexander McQueen and John Galliano, and broadened the brand's reach by adding new titles around the world.
Buzz Feed
2 hours ago
- Buzz Feed
Keke Palmer Addresses Her Jonathan Majors Interview
Warning: This article contains discussion of abuse, assault, and domestic violence. Keke Palmer addressed what happened to that one interview with Jonathan Majors that had a lot of people upset. On a June 20 episode of The Breakfast Club, the One of Them Days actor explained why the controversial interview with Jonathan never came out following online backlash. An episode of Keke's podcast Baby, This is Keke Palmer titled "No Easy Answers: Accountability and Moving Forward with Jonathan Majors" was set to premiere everywhere on April 8, and while it was available exclusively for Wondery+ users for a short time, it was ultimately shelved. The description of the deleted episode read, "Accountability. It's a loaded word, right? We're living in a time where we want real accountability—especially for things men have gotten away with for far too long. At the same time, finding forgiveness feels harder than ever, and we're still figuring out what true accountability even looks like." The caption continued, "Today, we're sitting down with Jonathan Majors to talk about what life has looked like after being convicted of harassment and assault. This conversation isn't here to give you all the answers—it's complicated, it's messy—but hopefully, it brings us a little closer to understanding the complex emotional landscape of the time we're living through." When Keke first promoted the episode, it was met with criticism based on Jonathan being found guilty in 2023 on one count of third-degree assault and one count of second-degree harassment against his ex-girlfriend, Grace Jabbari. Jonathan has denied culpability and claimed in an interview that he was responsible for "none of her injuries." Since several celebrities have come out in support of Jonathan, including Whoopi Goldberg, who said, 'He was arrested. He went to court. He did what he was supposed to do. I'm not sure what else there is," per the Hollywood Reporter. It appeared that Jonathan's appearance as the cover star of the Hollywood Reporter and statements of support from actors like Matthew McConaughey and Michael B. Jordan were setting the stage for a comeback, and Keke's interview was going to give him a platform to defend himself, but it was never widely published after the backlash. Keke and Wondery have remained rather hush on the subject until now. Talking with Loren LoRosa, Jess Hilarious, and DJ Envy, Keke said she was initially excited to speak with Jonathan, especially following his marriage to actor Meagan Good. "Obviously, Meagan's my girl. I've grown up loving her," Keke said. "She's honestly a mentor, you know, to me and representation for all of us young, Black women. I mean, I was happy for her to get married. I was excited to have the conversation." But, in the end, the team around her felt it wasn't the best option to move forward with the episode, considering the reactions. "I think, ultimately, with my partners, it was just decided based off, I guess, the reactions. That people felt [the interview] was insensitive, that maybe we shouldn't put it out," she continued. "I mean, it's always there, I imagine, if people wanted to see it. But I always want to be respectful and understand where everybody's coming from. And you know, if they're not gonna feel like they're going to receive anything good from the interview, then okay, cool. But, you know, I sat down with the brother for us to talk and let him be heard." "I think this is the thing, too. For me, as a public figure and entertainer, when I'm doing my hosting, I'm here – y'all know – I'm here to be unbiased," she added. "Everybody that sits in your chair, you don't agree with everything that they did. You don't love everything they did, but you gotta have the conversation." Keke also appeared on Angela Yee's Way Up With Angela Yee, where she seemingly suggested she was game for the interview, but it was her team who had reservations. "It's not just me. I have partners," Keke said. "It was then suggested or decided that-- without throwing anybody under the bus-- we shouldn't put it out." "He was interviewing, and I felt like 'Hey, well let's hear it,'" Keke added, clarifying that her desire to speak with a guest doesn't mean she agrees with them. "Just because you're interviewing somebody doesn't mean you agree with everything," While you won't be able to catch that Jonathan Majors episode everywhere, you can check out Baby It's Keke Palmer wherever podcasts are available. Check out the full Way Up With Angela Yee interview here. Check out the full Breakfast Club interview here. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger as a result of domestic violence, call 911. For anonymous, confidential help, you can call the 24/7 National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE) or chat with an advocate via the website.
