The Rise of Kane Brown: From Homelessness to Country Music Icon
Kane Brown’s story is a powerful testament to the American rags-to-riches dream. Named to the TIME 100 list of the most influential people in the world, the five-time American Music Award winner has shattered musical boundaries and redefined what it means to be a country music star. Yet, his journey to the top was anything but easy.
Overcoming a Troubled Childhood
Born on October 21, 1993, to a European-American mother and an African-American father, Kane Brown and his mother faced a difficult childhood marked by poverty, physical abuse, and homelessness. They frequently slept in their car, with his mother singing songs by Shania Twain and Sugarland to help him fall asleep. At the age of eight, Brown learned what it meant to be biracial when he started to be called the n-word. He was raised by a single mother, as his father had been in prison since 1996. He has credited his mother with being his “superhero,” helping him through the tough times.
Despite the hardships, Brown found his love for music early on. He frequently moved around Georgia and Tennessee, attending various schools where he sang in the choir with fellow country star Lauren Alaina. In high school, he won a talent show with a performance of Chris Young’s song “Getting You Home.” Inspired by Lauren Alaina’s success on American Idol, Brown decided to try out for reality television, but he was rejected by American Idol and left The X Factor after producers wanted to put him in a boy band.
Breaking Through and Making History
In 2014, Brown began posting cover videos online, and his career took off. His cover of Lee Brice’s “I Don’t Dance” went viral, gaining over seven million views. His teaser clip for his own single, “Used to Love You Sober,” reached one million views in under three hours. This led to a recording contract with Sony Music Nashville in 2016.
Since then, Brown has broken numerous records and achieved milestones that most artists only dream of.
- His self-titled debut album spent 13 weeks at the top of the charts and made him the first artist in Billboard history to top all five Billboard country charts simultaneously.
- His songs “Heaven” and “What Ifs” are among the most-streamed country songs of all time.
- His sophomore album, Experiment, debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, making him the only male country artist in over 24 years to achieve this.
- He is one of only ten country artists to sell out the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
- On his “Blessed and Free Headlining Tour,” he became the first country artist to visit all NBA arenas in one tour.
Brown’s musical journey is a series of collaborations with artists from various genres, including Marshmello, Khalid, and Becky G. His ability to blend country with R&B and pop has made him one of the most celebrated and influential artists in the world today. Through it all, he remains grounded, often sharing motivational quotes on social media, encouraging his fans to stay positive and strive to be the best version of themselves.