Breaking Barriers: Black Artists Redefining Country Music

The debate around defining country music has resurfaced in the new film “Call Me Country: Beyoncé & Nashville’s Renaissance.” Available for streaming on Max starting April 26, it explores how Black artists are making an impact on the genre following Beyonce’s recent release, ‘Act II: Cowboy Carter.’ The documentary sheds light not just on her album but also highlights a new generation of emerging talents like RVSHVD (Clint Johnson), Ashlie Amber, and twin brothers Derek Campbell & Brandon Campbell who are gay. Country music is still seen as an exclusive club with only specific types of artists celebrated by the community; however, Beyonce’s entrance into country music has brought much-needed attention to Black performers seeking a place in this genre like herself (as per interviews she has had regarding ‘Act II’). Brothers RVSHVD have been making waves blending hip hop and traditional country sounds. Ashlie Amber made an appearance on the Apple TV+ reality competition series “My Kind of Country” as one of the contestants last year, where Jimmie Allen & Mickey Guyton served as scouts to find exceptional up-and-coming artists in this genre that they invited from different locations around Nashville. Meanwhile, country trio Chapel Hart released a song titled ‘You Can Have Him Jolene,’ providing an updated take on Dolly Parton’s classic number that garnered her approval when it was shared online by the legend herself back in 2019. The sisters hail from Mississippi and Louisiana but emphasize their focus is solely centered around making music they love, regardless of any barriers or challenges faced as artists of color within this genre.