Introduction:
Kane Brown has never shied away from speaking about the challenges he’s faced as a Black artist in country music. Recently, during his appearance on Logan Paul’s *Impaulsive* podcast, the multi-platinum star opened up about early experiences of racism that shaped his career.
“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. “I confronted them and everything, and they apologized to me at the bar.”
Unfortunately, that wasn’t an isolated incident. “There’s another big writer that has like 30 No. 1s that said the same thing,” he continued. “Then he apologized whenever we blew up and was trying to write with me and I said no.”
Those moments came early in his career, back when Brown was still building a name for himself online. “That was my Facebook days when I was just coming in social media, nobody believed it,” he said.
### Kane Brown on Racism in Country Music
This isn’t the first time Brown has spoken out about prejudice in the industry. In a 2022 interview with *The New York Times*, he shared how he’s often mistaken for other Black country artists. “Even today, I walked in somewhere and they were like, ‘Oh my God, you did so good on *Dancing With the Stars.*’ I’m like, ‘That wasn’t me; that was Jimmie Allen. That’s the other Black guy.’”
That same year, he told *CBS News* that his music and success should speak for itself. “I shouldn’t have to say anything, you know? I’m up there in front of everybody as a Black artist. I’m selling out arenas.”
He added, “I’m on the radio. I’m doing all this stuff. Right there should tell you that, you know country music’s getting better. And people should be opening up.”
What’s Next for Kane Brown
Brown released his latest album, *The High Road*, in January. He is currently headlining *The High Road Tour*, which will wrap up with a performance in London on Oct. 10.
Despite the challenges he’s faced, Brown continues to break barriers and redefine what it means to be a country artist in today’s landscape.