When Morgan Wallen dropped his sophomore double album ‘Harmful’ on the high of 2021, the hype round nation music’s younger celebrity appeared to be at its peak. Having already survived a number of public scandals over the earlier yr, the standard and recognition of his music had all the time absolved him of his sins. However when video surfaced of the East Tennessee singer drunkenly saying the N-word exterior of his Nashville residence, the courtroom of public opinion was lower than forgiving of their sentencing: Cancellation.
What precisely does it appear like to be canceled? In Morgan’s case, it meant the loss or suspension of his document deal, his reserving company, radio play, editorial play-listing on music streaming websites, and being banned from profitable virtually each main award. The response from the business was swift, and Wallen’s forthcoming apology and Good Morning America look did little to shift the angle of the general public. Along with his outburst approaching the heels of the Black Lives Matter protests of 2020, and nation music’s subsequent referendum on racial fairness throughout the format, the penalties levied in opposition to the singer felt justifiable. However to lots of Morgan’s supporters, it grew to become a unifier. Earlier than lengthy, fan-sponsored billboards began going up all throughout the south, in addition to petitions and social media campaigns to finish the business’s embargo on Wallen.
Whereas the artist himself largely stayed out of the general public eye, his reputation and the consumption of his ‘Harmful’ album continued to skyrocket throughout his absence. These traits grew to become even tougher to disregard as gross sales on his mission surpassed that of business darlings in Drake, Adele, and Kanye West, all of whom dropped long-awaited albums of their very own. After about six months away, Wallen resurfaced with packed out charity advantages in Nashville this previous fall, in addition to appearances on songs with frequent collaborators and label-mates Hardy and Ernest. The singer stunned the world once more with an unorthodox function on rapper Lil Durk’s ‘Broadway Women’, with each artists posting captions that hinted at racial, or at the very least cultural reconciliation: “Trenches 
Every of those appearances sought to slowly and subtly reintroduce Morgan again into the nation music ecosystem. Coming into the brand new yr, “Flower Retailers” with Ernest began receiving play-listing on all the main streaming shops, which Wallen had been excluded from for nearly a yr. On the ACMs in March, “Harmful” gained album of the yr, the one class for which Wallen was eligible for as per the Academy’s sanctions. At this level, I knew a comeback was imminent, I simply didn’t understand how it might be rolled out.
Wallen’s first two solo releases since his exile have been masterfully executed. ‘Don’t Assume Jesus’, an influence ballad that dropped on Good Friday, presents a extra reflective artist at a crossroads of religion, questioning how Jesus might nonetheless love and forgive him after his errors. The timing, efficiency, and message of the track have been so compelling that I recorded a model of it from my perspective. For Christian listeners nonetheless grappling with their stance on Wallen, the track uncovered the hypocrisy of unforgiveness by proposing what Jesus would have executed. His second solo launch, “Thought You Ought to Know”, dropped on Mom’s Day to a equally optimistic response from his fanbase. A relatable love letter to his mother, the track furthers the musical narrative of Wallen’s journey of progress and accountability. Whereas some folks doubtless gained’t change their place on the singer from these two singles, many have already got. The latest swing in public notion has precipitated most of the business’s gatekeepers to melt their stance on the singer, reversing months-long penalties. But when ‘canceling’ an artist might be undone as simply as including time with hits, why cancel anybody in any respect?
‘Canceling’ somebody for a perceived wrongdoing is in and of itself an enigma. As a result of whereas public sentiment can push companies to implement tangible restrictions, it could possibly additionally embolden a fanbase that appears like their favourite artist is being disenfranchised. Often, and what’s additionally arguably true on this case, each reactions show equal and reverse, and little or no occurs. Comic Louis CK was cancelled a number of years in the past for sexual misconduct, however simply gained a Grammy for his newest stand-up particular. Chris Brown has been canceled a number of occasions over the previous decade, however simply introduced an area tour with Lil Child. Has anybody ever been canceled within the age of social media that hasn’t come again from it? I can’t say that I’ve ever witnessed it.
As a Black Nation artist, I used to be disenchanted after I noticed the video of Morgan utilizing the N-word, and I used to be reminded of occasions in my life that I’ve felt disrespected or unsafe on account of my race. However I additionally discovered nuance within the scenario, as is usually my method. What I actually noticed in that notorious video, as I noticed in every of Morgan’s public misgivings, was an individual that could be struggling and in want of counsel. Due to the racial ramifications of him saying what he mentioned, it understandably grew to become a a lot bigger and extra delicate problem. Do I consider he ought to have confronted penalties? Ideally, sure. Do I consider any of the sanctions levied in opposition to Morgan on account of his actions did something to resolve a race drawback in nation music, or perhaps a private race drawback that Morgan might have? No, I don’t.
Canceling somebody with out attending to the basis of an issue is lazy. It’s the social combover that does nothing however quickly and ineffectively disguise a bald spot. Nation music, like America, has a protracted and violent historical past with race. For those who’re unfamiliar, I like to recommend watching the Amazon documentary “For Love and Nation”, which chronicles this historical past with highly effective anecdotes from a few of the format’s black artists, together with myself. Canceling Morgan and eradicating him from the general public eye can’t and didn’t erase racism in nation music, as a result of it isn’t an issue that he began, it’s a bigger system of which he’s a by-product. Fairly than dismiss Morgan, I’d have cherished to see discourse that included him, the place he and society at massive might study that historical past and transfer towards anti-racism and ally-ship. Sadly, now we have spent a lot time collectively ignoring Morgan that we might have missed the window for such a second to happen.
No matter how chances are you’ll personally really feel concerning the singer, all indicators level towards a large comeback album. The marketing campaign has been months within the making and has featured a few of the strongest music of Morgan’s profession. What he’s realized throughout his day off stays to be seen, however what I hope we are able to all be taught is that our present system for fixing these kinds of points is ineffective. These issues have by no means been solved via avoidance — in reality, that has solely perpetuated them. I sincerely hope it doesn’t take one other artist utilizing the N-word for folks to really feel impressed to have interaction in these conversations once more. These are the very sorts of conversations that stop these conditions from occurring. Whereas canceling Morgan Wallen has arguably made him a much bigger star, it’s exhausting to know whether or not it has made him a special particular person.
All I do know is that I’m able to have that dialog every time he’s.
Editorial Notice: Previous to this text’s publication, CMT reached out to Morgan Wallen’s camp by way of his administration, to open a line of communication primarily based on the contents of this piece. Regardless of displaying preliminary curiosity in having us facilitate a non-public dialog between Morgan and BRELAND, we’ve been unsuccessful with additional communication.
Singer, songwriter and producer BRELAND is a daring new drive on immediately’s nation music panorama and a brand new contributor to CMT.com. His views are expressly his personal. Join with him on Instagram, Fb, Twitter, YouTube and SoundCloud.
