Nowadays a lot of people are saying country music is no longer country; that it's more pop, more generic. I understand that; there are quite a few songs that do sound more pop than what's considered country. However, even what's considered "traditional" country, (Patsy Cline, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, etc.), isn't what "true" country started out as. If it comes right down to it, even country isn't the root of music; classical, and other music was being made long before it went country.
It seems logical then that, like other genres of music, country is going to evolve, and incorporate other sounds and styles into itself; yes, even rap.
The first time I ever heard "country rap", was when Neal McCoy did "Hillbilly Rap", the Beverly Hillbillies theme done rap style. Though the song is on one of McCoy's CD's, it was never a single on radio.
Then there's Cowboy Troy, a member of Big & Rich's Muzik Mafia; he calls his style 'hick-hop'. He's released some of his music to country radio, most notably, "I Play Chicken with the Train".
Last year Jason Aldean had a hit with "Dirt Road Anthem", a song co-written by Colt Ford. The song is mostly country, with a few lines done as rap.
Though known mainly as a songwriter, Colt Ford has put out several CD's that incorporate his southern views and values with rap. Currently he has a single on the radio called "Back", which features Jake Owen.
"Back" is one of my favorite new songs right now; it's almost a perfect mix of country with rap. Though Jake Owen is the better known name, Ford definitely can hold his own; and the two of them together do a great job. Here's hoping Ford has a hit for himself with this song.
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