Ahh, here we go again.
We’ve seen a massive increase of internet trolling and sh*t talking from infamous keyboard warriors over the last few years, especially with country music fans.
It seems that no matter what most artists do, there’s always a handful of social media users ready to find something to b*tch about and/or post “that’s not real country” in the comments sections. If you aren’t thick-skinned or ready to ignore the “haters,” its something that could drive artists and journalists everywhere crazy.
To be fair, country fans have had to endure some pretty shi**y years of pop music infiltrating the country genre. Unlike Brooks & Dunn, whom many criticized for not being country in the 90’s, there’s been artists in the 2010’s such as Sam Hunt, who are very talented and make great music, just clearly do not embody any sort of the genre’s tradition, yet condescendingly throw it up on streaming services and label it as country anyway.
Still, the debate is tiresome at this point. Sure, Jelly Roll doesn’t make traditional country music. He even knows that. But I can tell you, his singles at country radio such as “Save Me” and “Need A Favor” are real and authentic and not by any means the “problem” with country music.
I’ll admit that my frustration has boiled over in the past and I started to get fed up with what Nashville was crankin’ out. Hell, we all were and still are. Just look at awards shows ratings and the rise of independent artists. But I found that shi*tting on everything just became exhausting (and made you the a**hole at the party), especially when there’s some really great country music out there, even if it’s not “traditional.”
Then there’s this guy, however, who just had to take an unnecessary shot at Jelly Roll while praising the artist(s) he enjoys.
Real country not a Jelly Roll or a Post Malone to be found.
— Fat White Swiftie (@NFLbadtakes) November 9, 2023
Just an authentic artist with honest lyrics pic.twitter.com/Y8vK0HZYoQ
(In his defense, that Charles Wesley Godwin album is top five for me this year).
Although the Twitter (excuse me, X) user didn’t specifically tag Jelly Roll, it didn’t stop the recently crowned CMA New Artist of the Year from responding:
“Yeah, I can tell you never heard one of my songs if you’re insinuating, they’re not authentic and honest.”
The exchange didn’t last long, with Jelly Roll only responding once more to ask him what he thinks “defines country music,” as well as a few others chiming in. View it here:
What do you think defines country music ?
— Jelly Roll (@JellyRoll615) November 10, 2023