Is Country Music Really Ready for More Black Artists?

Based on How Beyoncé was treated at the 2016 CMA Awards and Comments by Darius Rucker on how music still has to deal with the “stigma of rebel flags and racism,” we know it’s incredibly difficult for Black artists to find major success with pretentious country fans who think it’s “their music.”

Country music has always been black music. Like most arts and culture in America, The roots of the genre go back to African slavesThe banjo, the iconic instrument of country music, traces its roots to the West African lute. Early roots and Americana music drew inspiration from the spirituals and work songs of slaves. It was co-opted by white artists who failed to give proper credit to the true creators of the genre.

The rewriting of country music history has given rise to a longstanding narrative that it is not for black people. In the past, a few legends like Charley Pride, Ray Charles and Linda Martell have broken through, but they are the exceptions, not the rule.

Husband and wife duo Michael Trotter Jr. and Tanya Trotter, better known as The War and Treaty, made history in 2023 by becoming the first Black artists to be nominated for Duo of the Year at the ACM and CMA Awards. Unfortunately, even that level of recognition and popularity can’t save them from the racist roots of country music. According to The Hollywood ReporterDuring a recent performance at the Coca-Cola Sips & Sounds Music Festival in Austin, Texas, they discovered “a cotton tree in their dressing room.”

“I felt anger, disrespect and sadness. Not only because of what this plant represents for people who look like me, but also for myself, because I am a child of this country,” he said.

Michael, an Army veteran who was injured during his service, added: “It’s not fair. It’s something that white artists absolutely don’t have to worry about. (…) It just happens in the guts of this genre. So I think it’s not enough that we talk about it, we have to demand that we talk about it.”

The duo left the event immediately after their performance, no longer feeling safe there. The incident forced the couple to have a harrowing conversation with their 12-year-old son, Legend, but he was already one step ahead of them, explaining to his parents exactly how they should handle the situation. “He said this is not the time to be quiet. He was very upset and he understood exactly what that meant,” Michael said.

The festival responded to the incident with a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, calling the situation an “honest mistake.”

“There was no intention to cause harm and we sincerely apologize,” the statement read. “Their concerns were immediately addressed, including a sincere in-person apology, removal of the set, and a personal conversation with the artists by the event organizers to assure them that this was an honest mistake.”

This isn’t just about Michael and Tanya, it’s about the safety of their family, the band and crew, and other artists and fans. As the genre continues to attract fans from all walks of life, events and venues must take appropriate measures to ensure they are properly supporting those in attendance.

Whether it was a simple mistake or something more malicious, it shows Black fans that they are not welcome at these shows. It also tells us that they didn’t have anyone on their team who understood what this meant for artists. As more Black artists grow in the genre, they need allies to help them feel safe in these spaces.