Country music star Kane Brown, at 31 years old, continues to define the modern country sound while also being hailed as one of the genre’s future faces. “I feel like there’s a new life being born. So, it’s really cool just to be where I’m at right now, headspace wise and all,” Brown shared recently.
Earlier this year, Brown released his new album, The High Road, which showcases his versatility by blending playful sounds with deeply personal and powerful messages. The album features upbeat tracks with an EDM spin, like “Miles On It,” alongside more introspective and vulnerable songs such as “Haunted.”
Brown spoke candidly about the vulnerability infused in his new record. “We all have struggles and that we all have people that will love us no matter what and we can reach out to and get help, especially guys ’cause I feel like guys, you know, they won’t, they won’t talk about it,” he explained. He revealed the personal space he was in while creating the album: “I was in a place where I wasn’t leaving my house and I was, you know, in my head. I had all these emotions and just trying to have to put an album together and think about stuff that I was going through.” For Brown, family is at the core of it all, with his wife serving as his primary confidante: “When I talk about it with my wife, you know, that’s the person that I can really tell her anything. So, it helps me talking to her.”
Growing up, Brown and his family moved frequently, and music became his solace. He cited artists like Tim McGraw, Shania Twain, and Sugarland as early influences. He eventually started posting his own music online, becoming an “influencer before the influencer” era, even doing “Soulja Boy dances on MySpace on [his] dial internet.” This online presence ultimately led to his 2016 self-titled, two-time platinum debut album. Reflecting on his early success, Brown admitted, “Once I started seeing my numbers grow and we got to the millions, I think I was always still kind of like, I hope this doesn’t end tomorrow.”
Since that breakthrough, Brown has released three more studio albums and was recognized in Time’s 100 Most Influential People in the World in 2021. Despite his immense achievements, he maintains a grounded perspective. “I never felt like it wasn’t for me just because I felt like I, you know, I felt like I haven’t belonged my whole life.” When asked if he was ready to stop “walking” and start “running” in his career, Brown responded with enthusiasm: “I haven’t started running yet, man. That’s what I’m [about to do]… We’re about to start sprinting.”
The remarkable growth of Kane Brown is clear to observers. Having entered the industry at a young age, he’s been focused on his physical and mental health, noting that quitting nicotine has given him unprecedented energy. With new music out and an optimistic outlook, Brown is poised to continue his powerful trajectory in country music.