Country music’s near-apocalyptic downfall has caused quite a stir in the music community. Such a bold statement is not a haphazard jab at the genre at all. In fact, many country fans agree that it just isn’t what it used to be. The CMA awards stumbled to an all-time-low in 2018, and much of contemporary country music that has claimed Billboard charts has lost its rich nature.
Although Country music isn’t, say, a particularly spotlight genre of mine, I can understand the frustration of many classical country fanatics.
It’s not like anyone on the Country Billboard charts to date has the charm of Dolly Parton or the essence of Johnny Cash.
Defining the composition of the genre has also created a debate within its community. Much of a conversation has been had surrounding Lil Nas X and his hit single “Old Town Road”.
Upon first listening to the track, we witness a genre clash that we otherwise wouldn’t anticipate. The blend between country lyricism and hip-hop instrumentals has perplexed us, but otherwise has sparked a positive reaction from listeners all around the world.
The lyrics themselves have some level of humor, but nothing about the instrumental feels like that of a joke. Overall the song doesn’t necessarily sound like it’s meant to be comical, while it does have some tongue-in-cheek nature.
Even though the hit doesn’t reflect what we’re used to, however, this approach to country music is not unfamiliar. While some want to deny that contemporary country music incorporates elements from hip hop music, it becomes especially evident when considering all the chart-topping country that features trap-esque synthetic percussion and other rap-based elements. And to claim that country music hasn’t overstepped its traditional bounds in the past is unrealistic.
To quote a highly influential female country singer, Reba McEntire was asked backstage at the 2019 ACMs if she thought a country song could contain country lyricism with overarching hip-hop instrumentals and still be considered a valid country song, to which she responded, “Hasn’t it already? Or did I miss something somewhere along the way? Country music has always been very diversified… One time it will be very traditional, then it will be very contemporary”
So how does the song that simultaneously appears on the Billboard hot 100s, Hot R&B, and Hot country songs become shunned and invalidated as a country track?
Billboard claims that the song doesn’t “embrace enough elements of today’s country music.”
There is an entire conversation regarding the potential racism that fueled such a decision, as the Industry has not been kind to country singers of color. This mistreatment has been unfair, especially to black artists who have made significant contributions to the genre throughout history. Country will rip off hip-hop and climb to the top charts, but is soon as little as Lil Nas X reaches the top, he is torn down without hesitation.
Billboard’s statement was far too vague to even support its claim. So, what does this song have to do to remain identified as a country song when its intent is sufficiently clear?
So to consider billboard’s claim, the first step is to analyze what today’s country music is composed of.
The “I’ll listen to anything but country“ quote is an all too popular opinion from masses. It’s not that country is the bad genre at heart, but much of it’s contemporary representation has held it back.
In an insightful video named “this beat is killing country music“ by Grady Smith, we become aware of country’s current anxious desperation to remain afloat. Genres that experience a decline in popularity resort to ripping-off elements of a “successful” genres formula. And according to Smith, that is exactly what country is doing.
There comes a mediocre creative process that takes place in creating country Billboards top charts. Smith demonstrates several samples from tracks that have recently climbed the top Country Billboard charted songs, which use the same snap beat that emphasizes the second and fourth beat on the track. The use of this beat is regurgitated relentlessly, forcing modern country songs follow the same blueprint. This makes much of the music blend together, making it difficult to encounter a memorable song.
The “ah-ha” moment in the video comes when Smith brings highlights the dynamic of this country music production. When generic and inauthentic snap or drum beats are used, the music‘s ability to retain substance has been stripped away. In other words, this Pop music rip-off beat distracts the listener from truly delving into the subject matter of the music itself. The listener cannot enjoy the art of country music when it is processed and repackaged as a midtempo, pop song copycat.
Pop has been designed to be simple, and even mindless, for the average listener. It works well on the radio because it doesn’t overwhelm an absent minded listener. While the subject matter is simple, the music is obviously overproduced and monotonous; it is efficient background noise that is fit for both sport events and retail stores alike.. It’s not to say that pop music doesn’t have potential, but even the genre itself fails to hold substance with its porous structure.
So to witness country fall victim to conforming to a formulaic production process is pitiful.
Many people would agree that country music has lost its touch in recent years. Much of the lyricism has failed to pursue original storytelling, which is essential and country music‘s craft. It’s difficult to even have a rich quality to music when obnoxious snappy beats smear the musicianship.
This observation is not made to discredit all country music, but to call out the producers that are obviously thirsty for top charts.
Instead of resorting to generic tools that dominate the radio, country can return to its roots. Evolution will still require a relation to its origins.The once authentic acoustic instruments are now being boiled down to being a less essential aspect of a track, and lyrics are boiled down stale storytelling. The classic country that I grew to love and appreciate does not have that same flair, sharp-tongue attitude, or heartfelt treatment in its contemporary shape.
Lil Nas X, who composed a song that is playful in nature, has generated a valuable conversation that was needed within the last decade of this era’s country. It’s commendable that Billy Ray Cyrus, another notable country singer, lent a hand to Lil Nas X in teaming up for a remix of the hit, which has since gone viral.
So while “Old Town Roads” isn’t traditional as a country song, and its label is still debated due to its ingrained rap, it is a more creative contribution compared to that of current country. In its success, it has challenged Country gatekeeping.
Moving forward, I encourage country to refer back to its rich roots, with authentic instruments, musicianship, and heavenly harmonies, as the genre has nothing to lose now.
Alma Tovar
Features Editor