After TMZ obtained video of Morgan Wallen yelling the N-word and other expletives, Big Loud Records suspended his recording contract “indefinitely,” major radio stations removed his music, and his peers in the music industry have spoken up.
Female country artists Mickey Guyton, Kelsea Ballerini and Maren Morris called him out for using the racial slur against Black Americans, which was caught on video Jan. 31. Morris and Guyton claimed that this wasn’t Wallen’s first offense specifically regarding the N-word, while Morris, Ballerini and Leah Turner explained how the consequences would have been worse had a female artist done the same thing.
Cassadee Pope shared her anger in an Instagram post, explaining that she was “completely disgusted” by his words. “It has no place in country music and has been tolerated and enabled way too long,” she wrote. “And it has NO place in this world.”
While Wallen’s male country music peers have mostly been silent on the issue, Tyler Hubbard, Jason Isbell and Justin Fabus are among those who have spoken up. Hubbard of Florida Georgia Line did so by responding to The Voice season three champ Pope’s post, simply writing, “Amen.”
As for Isbell, he responded to a fan on Twitter who wanted his take: “Wallen’s behavior is disgusting and horrifying. I think this is an opportunity for the country music industry to give that spot to somebody who deserves it, and there are lots of black artists who deserve it.”
Wallen, who had been touted as country music’s next potential global superstar, has apologized in a statement to TMZ, saying: “I’m embarrassed and sorry. I used an unacceptable and inappropriate racial slur that I wish I could take back. There are no excuses to use this type of language, ever. I want to sincerely apologize for using the word. I promise to do better.”
In an unattributed statement posted to its Twitter and Instagram accounts, Big Loud wrote, “In the wake of recent events, Big Loud Records has made the decision to suspend Morgan Wallen’s recording contract indefinitely. Republic Records fully supports Big Loud’s decision and agrees such behavior will not be tolerated.”
“In light of Morgan Wallen’s recent actions involving the use of a racial slur, we have made the decision to remove his music and content from our stations effective immediately,” a spokesperson for iHeartMedia, the largest radio station group in the country, told Billboard.
Similarly, an Entercom representative told Billboard, “In light of Morgan Wallen’s recent use of a racial slur, we’ve discussed the incident with our country brand leadership team and together have made the decision to remove Morgan’s music from Entercom’s playlists.”
See stars’ reactions to Wallen’s actions below.
— MAREN MORRIS (@MarenMorris) February 3, 2021
This is not his first time using that “unacceptable” racial slur and we all known that. So what exactly are y’all going to do about it. Crickets won’t work this time.
— Mickey Guyton (@MickeyGuyton) February 3, 2021
When I read comments saying “this is not who we are” I laugh because this is exactly who country music is. I’ve witnessed it for 10 gd years. You guys should just read some of the vile comments hurled at me on a daily basis. It’s a cold hard truth to face but it is the truth. pic.twitter.com/l3h18Z1ARU
— Mickey Guyton (@MickeyGuyton) February 3, 2021
The news out of Nashville tonight does not represent country music.
— Kelsea Ballerini (@KelseaBallerini) February 3, 2021
It actually IS representative of our town because this isn’t his first “scuffle” and he just demolished a huge streaming record last month regardless. We all know it wasn’t his first time using that word. We keep them rich and protected at all costs with no recourse.
— MAREN MORRIS (@MarenMorris) February 3, 2021
yup. we’d be dropped, endorsements lost, social pariahs to music row…
— MAREN MORRIS (@MarenMorris) February 3, 2021
To pretend racism isn’t a problem in county music is to pretend racism isn’t a problem in America. May we continue to learn, grow, & make right what is wrong by broadening our ❤️s & minds. May we listen to the stories of those we’ve ignored so we, as country music, can be better
— Old Dominion (@OldDominion) February 3, 2021
Bonnie!! Isn’t that the damn truth. Written off as a liability and difficult! It’s bullshit https://t.co/2Ghfpvy5so
— Leah Turner (@leahturnermusic) February 3, 2021
Wallen’s behavior is disgusting and horrifying. I think this is an opportunity for the country music industry to give that spot to somebody who deserves it, and there are lots of black artists who deserve it. https://t.co/14B77zLgMR
— Jason Isbell (@JasonIsbell) February 3, 2021
I didn’t say “tar and feather the boy.” If he makes real change, his life will be just fine. But if he isn’t held accountable, black people in the industry will know how little country music really cares about them, even now. And that’s much sadder to me than alcoholism. https://t.co/G1wVwpzI6V
— Jason Isbell (@JasonIsbell) February 4, 2021
If you condone or try to justify @MorganWallen’s latest behavior, there is NO place for you in the Country Music community or ANY community.
— Justin Fabus (@TheJustinFabus) February 3, 2021
“I promise to do better” is how you address exercise and healthy eating habits to yourself…. not about hurling racial slurs
— Lauren Jenkins (@Lauren_Jenkins) February 3, 2021
He will get another chance… boys will be boys ,right!? Isn’t that the get outta jail free card? The chances he’s been given would never be given to a women and then he has the audacity to speak this way! Country music, do better. https://t.co/f2eNIutWTG
— Leah Turner (@leahturnermusic) February 3, 2021
Let me reiterate. The news about Morgan that broke does not represent “ALL” of country music. As you can see, it represents some. It’s disgraceful has to change.
— Cassadee Pope (@CassadeePope) February 3, 2021