Black country singers: ‘We’re tolerated, not celebrated’

Despite the rich history and contributions of black artists in the country music genre, many black country singers feel that they are only tolerated rather than truly celebrated in the industry.

Country music has long been seen as a genre dominated by white artists, with little mainstream recognition for black musicians. While artists like Charley Pride and Darius Rucker have achieved success in country music, they are often seen as exceptions rather than the norm.

Many black country singers have spoken out about facing discrimination and challenges in the industry, from being pigeonholed into certain genres to being overlooked for awards and recognition. Despite their talent and contributions to country music, black artists continue to face barriers that prevent them from fully breaking into the mainstream.

It is clear that there is a need for more diversity and inclusion in country music, so that black artists can be celebrated for their talents and contributions to the genre. Until then, many black country singers feel that they are simply tolerated rather than fully embraced by the industry.