Singer-songwriter Charley Crockett has long been outspoken about his perspectives through his music, with songs such as “Music City U.S.A.” and “Game I Can’t Win” squarely taking on greedy music industry types.
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He’s not afraid to call things like he sees them, whether in music or on social media. On Tuesday (Aug. 19), Crockett posted a lengthy message on Instagram, speaking out in defense of Beyoncé and her Grammy-winning country-inspired project Cowboy Carter, while also defending marginalized voices in country music and speaking out against hip-hop-infused “bro country” that has been so popular over recent years.
“Hey country folks. @beyonce ain’t the source of your discontent. It was 25 years of bro country. #1 country artist on earth listen’s to nothing but rap,” Crockett wrote. “Openly says he doesn’t really know any country music. Gotta respect his honesty. The machine points to a black woman who’s making a statement about marginalized people being removed from the conversation altogether, and somehow we all act like the entire pop industry didn’t just ambush roots music. These ‘country boys’ been *singing* over trap beats for years.”
Though Crockett didn’t mention him by name, some of Crockett’s comments seemed squarely aimed at Morgan Wallen. Wallen recently mentioned during a podcast interview with Theo Von that he “doesn’t listen to country music a whole lot” — though in that same interview, he also praised neo-traditional country singer Zach Top — while his I’m the Problem album has spent 11 nonconsecutive weeks at the top of the all-genre Billboard 200 chart.
From there, Crockett went on to criticize the Nashville music industry, saying it attempted, early in his career, to get him to release albums that were “pre written and recorded ready to just plug me in.”
“I have receipts. It’s harder than ever to keep the public’s attention,” Crockett wrote. “They said and I quote ‘we wanna get into country music where you have audience loyalty.’ Hot today, forgot tomorrow.”
He also seemingly took aim at country singer Gavin Adcock, who recently garnered controversy by criticizing Beyonce’s Cowboy Carter album during a concert and later seemed to note that his streaming numbers greatly benefited from the controversy.
“I really don’t believe her album should be labeled as country music,” Adcock said soon after making his initial comments against Cowboy Carter. “It doesn’t sound country, it doesn’t feel country, and I just don’t think that people who have dedicated their whole lives to this genre and lifestyle should have to compete or watch that album just stay at the top just because she’s Beyoncé.”
“I don’t need to put down a black woman to advance my music,” Crockett continued in his Instagram message on Aug. 19. “That’s just embarrassing to the idea of America and I got no respect for it.” Crockett then when on to praise another Black artist who is making a country-infused project, BigXthaPlug. BigXthaPlug’s upcoming album features collaborations with Luke Combs, Ella Langley, Darius Rucker and more.
“Somebody asked me why I listen to @bigxthaplug the other day. Easy. He’s genuine. A true story teller. The best hip hop sound to come out of Texas in this century. The challenges country music faces aren’t unique. It’s an issue in every *genre*. I don’t have a problem with Americana. I have a problem with being compartmentalized by the music business. Outlaw as a *sub genre* of country was artists standing up for their rights against a rigid system. Ain’t no reason to imitate @officialwaylon and @willienelsonofficial if you ain’t about the fight. Texas forever.”
Billboard has reached out to Wallen and Adcock for comment.
Several artists supported Crockett, with “You Ain’t Gotta Die (To Be Dead to Me)” singer Kaitlin Butts commenting on his Instagram post, “Read them to FILTH,” while country singer Chris Housman added, “YESSIR!!”
Another artist who responded wasn’t nearly so supportive: Adcock. The “Morning Bail” singer fired back on X, writing, “Somebody needs to tell the ‘act’ that has let out (the cover) of James town ferry 6 times he should just work on letting out quality original music I got more cows–t under my pinky then you have seen your whole f–kin life. Hank sr called and asked about the cosplay cowboy.” On Instagram, Adcock doubled down, calling Crockett “Dips–t of the week.”
Crockett recently released the album Dollar a Day, part of a trilogy of albums, on Aug. 8. Adcock released his Own Worst Enemy album on Aug. 15.