Morgan Wallen meteoric rise to country music stardom was nothing short of remarkable. With his signature mullet and unmistakable southern drawl, he quickly became a fan favorite and rose to the top of the charts with hit after hit. However, just as quickly as he soared to success, his world came crashing down when a video surfaced showing him using a racial slur. In this deep dive into his career, we’ll take a look at how he got here and what led to his recent fall from grace in the eyes of many fans and industry professionals alike.
Early Life and Career
Morgan Wallen was born on May 13th, 1993 in Sneedville, Tennessee. He grew up listening to country music and played the piano and guitar from a young age. His mother was a teacher, while his father owned a construction company.
Wallen first gained interest in music when he sang “Chasin’ That Neon Rainbow” by Alan Jackson at a school talent show. Despite being nervous, he received a standing ovation and knew that he wanted to pursue music as his career.
After high school, Wallen attended Nashville’s Belmont University but dropped out after just one year to focus on his music career. He began playing shows around town and eventually caught the attention of Big Loud Records.
In 2016, Wallen signed with Big Loud Records and released his debut single “The Way I Talk.” The song made it onto the charts and helped launch his career as an up-and-coming artist in country music.
Despite facing some setbacks early on in his career, such as being cut from The Voice during the playoffs round twice (in season six under Usher’s team and then again in season seven under Adam Levine’s team), Morgan Wallen continued working hard towards achieving success in the industry.
The Rise to Fame Morgan Wallen
Morgan Wallen’s rise to fame was nothing short of meteoric. After his stint on The Voice in 2014, Wallen began his journey towards becoming a country music star. In 2016, he signed with Big Loud Records and released his debut single “The Way I Talk.”
Soon after its release, the song became an instant hit and charted on Billboard’s Country Airplay Chart. This led him to perform at various music festivals across America including the iconic Stagecoach Festival in California.
Wallen’s success continued as he went on to release more hit songs like “Up Down” featuring Florida Georgia Line and “Whiskey Glasses,” which peaked at number one on the US Hot Country Songs chart. He also collaborated with other popular artists such as Diplo and Kane Brown.
In addition to this, Wallen received several award nominations including a CMT Music Award nomination for Breakthrough Video of the Year for his hit song “Whiskey Glasses.”
His relatable lyrics combined with his unique voice made him increasingly popular among fans of both traditional and modern country music alike. He had truly arrived onto the scene as one of country music’s brightest stars during this time period.
The Fall from Grace
After Wallen’s meteoric rise to fame, things took a sharp turn for the worse in early 2021. A video surfaced of him using a racial slur, which led to swift and severe consequences. His record label suspended his contract, radio stations pulled his music from their playlists, and he was even disqualified from eligibility at the Academy of Country Music Awards.
The fallout was immediate and widespread. Fans were divided on social media with some defending him while others expressed disappointment and disgust. The incident also sparked discussions about racism within the country music industry.
Wallen issued an apology through a video statement but it wasn’t enough to quell the backlash. He later posted a handwritten letter on social media acknowledging that he had “some growing up to do” and promised to take steps towards becoming “a better man.”
While time will tell if Wallen can ultimately redeem himself in fans’ eyes, there’s no denying that his fall from grace has been significant. It serves as a reminder that actions have consequences, especially in today’s highly connected world where public figures are under constant scrutiny.
Conclusion
Morgan Wallen’s rise and fall is a cautionary tale of how quickly fame can be gained and lost. The country music industry has always had high standards for its artists, and Wallen’s behavior clearly did not meet those standards. However, it is important to remember that everyone makes mistakes and deserves the chance to learn from them.
While some may argue that cancel culture played a role in Wallen’s downfall, it cannot be denied that his actions were hurtful and offensive to many people. It will take time for him to regain the trust of his fans and the industry as a whole.
Moving forward, it is essential for artists like Wallen to understand the power of their words and actions. They have a responsibility to use their platform for good instead of perpetuating harmful stereotypes or language.
Only time will tell what lies ahead for Wallen’s career. But one thing is certain – he will always be remembered as both a rising star in country music and an example of how quickly things can change when you make poor choices.
