Country music star Jason Aldean has responded to the backlash over his new music video, “Try That in a Small Town.” The video has been criticized for its use of footage from Black Lives Matter protests and for its location, which is the site of a 1927 lynching.
In the past 24 hours I have been accused of releasing a pro-lynching song (a song that has been out since May) and was subject to the comparison that I (direct quote) was not too pleased with the nationwide BLM protests. These references are not only meritless, but dangerous.…
— Jason Aldean (@Jason_Aldean) July 18, 2023
Aldean has denied that the video has any racial undertones. He said that the song is about the feeling of community that he experienced growing up in a small town. He also said that he was not trying to make a political statement with the video.
However, many people have found the video to be offensive. They argue that the use of footage from Black Lives Matter protests is insensitive and that the location of the video is a reminder of a dark chapter in American history.
CMT, a country music television network, has pulled the video from rotation.
In a statement, Aldean said that he respects people’s right to have their own interpretation of the song, but that he believes the backlash is “overblown.” He said that he is “sorry if anyone was offended” by the video, but that he stands by the song.
The controversy over “Try That in a Small Town” is the latest in a series of high-profile incidents in which country music artists have been criticized for their views on race. In 2017, country singer Morgan Wallen was caught on video using a racial slur. He was subsequently dropped from his record label and several music festivals.
Jason Aldean shot this at the site where a white lynch mob strung Henry Choate up at the Maury County Courthouse in Columbia, Tenn., after dragging his body through the streets with a car in 1927.
That's where Aldean chose to sing about murdering people who don't respect police. https://t.co/gBL7FlaBS2 pic.twitter.com/eGfmMc8HAI
— Ashton Pittman (@ashtonpittman) July 17, 2023
The backlash against Aldean’s video highlights the ongoing debate about race and representation in country music. Some people argue that country music is a genre that is inherently racist, while others believe that it is possible to create country music that is both inclusive and authentic.
The controversy over “Try That in a Small Town” is likely to continue for some time. It is a reminder of the complex and often fraught relationship between country music and race.
