Introduction:
Kane Brown Says Racism Kept Writers From Working With Him Early in His Career
Country music star Kane Brown has revealed that he faced racism from within the Nashville songwriting community during the early stages of his career.
Speaking on Logan Paul’s Impaulsive podcast, Brown shared that some writers refused to collaborate with him because of his race. “I remember, I ain’t gonna say a name because I don’t want to throw him under the bus, but there was one writer that said he wouldn’t write with me because I’m Black,” Brown recalled.
He said that the writer later apologized to him at a bar, but the experience was not isolated. Another well-known songwriter with multiple chart-topping hits allegedly told Brown the same thing. “He apologized whenever we blew up and was trying to write with me, but I said no,” Brown added.
These incidents took place when Brown was still posting cover songs on Facebook and had yet to sign a major record deal. Since then, he has gone on to become one of country music’s biggest stars, with multiple platinum albums and consistent Top 5 placements on the U.S. charts since 2016.
Brown’s story sheds light on the challenges of racism that still exist within the country music industry — and the resilience it takes to overcome them.