Country music has been a constant backdrop in American culture going back to the turn of the 20th century. From its origins in the rural South, where the ballads of European immigrants met African-American blues and gospel, country has been evolving for more than a century. Beginning with the earliest days of pioneers such as the Carter Family (considered the “First Family of Country Music”) and Jimmie Rodgers (widely regarded as the “Father of Country Music”), one persistent theme of the form has been its heartfelt lyrics, which channel triumph and tragedy through truthful storytelling.
The genre’s golden age got underway in the 1940s and ‘50s thanks to stars like Hank Williams, who combined honky-tonk with storytelling. The Grand Ole Opry’s massive popularity, propelled by radio broadcasts that reached millions, expanded the sound well beyond Nashville. By the 1960s, country music was mainstream American culture, with superstars including Johnny Cash, George Jones, Tammy Wynette, Loretta Lynn and Charley Pride. Later, legends like Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings helped establish the “outlaw” movement.
This new chapter brought grit and a raw, rebellious flavor to the music, running a counter-attack against the conventions of the genre, which had become known for its polished sound. The Outlaw movement remains a vibrant scene today, with events like the Palomino Festival in 2022, which hosted a blend of modern artists, as well as Willie Nelson’s annual Luck Reunion in Spicewood, Texas.
The 1980s and ‘90s brought country music and the pop world together in myriad new ways. Dolly Parton, a star since the ‘60s, established herself as a bona fide American icon. Dolly paved the way for more women to take the spotlight, including Shania Twain and Reba McEntire. This era also launched Garth Brooks’ megastar status and pushed Billy Ray Cyrus’ “Achy Breaky Heart” into the pop vortex.
Meanwhile, an alternative country movement emerged. The 1990s and the new millennium brought a revolution led by Steve Earle, Lucinda Williams, Wilco, the Old 97s and more who blended traditional country and folk with “cow-punk” and an indie sensibility. Lyrical depth remained a constant, while artists including Keith Urban, Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley and Luke Bryan established themselves as country-pop stars for the ages.
Taylor Swift, of course, rode her own country roots into the stratosphere. Lil Nas X organically blended country and hip-hop on “Old Town Road,” and in recent years, many other artists have continued to push boundaries on digital platforms like SoundCloud and beyond. While Beyoncé was leaning into country on ‘Cowboy Carter,’ the breakout star Shaboozey (who was featured on Bey’s landmark 2024 album) has been busy establishing himself as a force. DJ and producer Diplo has turned up at the Stagecoach Festival, bringing his dancefloor-igniting style to country fans. And Zach Bryan has been building his community, drawing massive crowds with his outlaw-inspired rock. From New Jersey’s BRELAND, who grew up on gospel, soul and hip-hop, to Houston’s Norman North, who brings an emo-rap-tinged vocal on “Forgive Me,” press play on our playlist showcasing the new era of country music artists.
LISTEN TO THE NEXT WAVE COUNTRY PLAYLIST ON SOUNDCLOUD NOW.
Shaboozey, “Shaboozey - A Bar Song (Tipsy)”
Born Collins Obinna Chibueze, this newcomer proves that country’s recognition of its debt to Black America was a long time coming
Beyoncé, “Beyoncé - TEXAS HOLD ’EM"
From Rhiannon Giddens’s opening banjo notes, Bey reclaims her Houston roots with this instant line-dancing classic
Orville Peck, “Midnight Ride”
Known for blurring genres with country music at his core, Orville Peck enlists Diplo and Kylie Minogue for the dance-floor ready cut
Post Malone, "Post Malone - I Had Some Help (feat. Morgan Wallen)"
Malone, who grew up in Grapevine, TX as a fan of hip-hop and country alike, teams here with another well-known fan of both
OfficialWillieJones, “Dive Bar”
“We gonna turn this club into a dive bar,” sings the former ‘X Factor’ contestant, another guest on ‘Cowboy Carter’.
BRELAND, “Heartbreak & Alcohol”
The son of ordained ministers, the mononymous Breland co-wrote two songs with country superstar Keith Urban in 2020
Dalton Dover, “Damn Good Life”
Raised on country by his granddad, this Georgia newcomer has already been welcomed into the Grand Ole Opry community
Tanner Adell, “Buckle Bunny (Acoustic)”
A “buckle bunny,” as this rising Nashville star lets us know, is the rodeo equivalent of a rock musician’s groupies.
Diplo, “Diplo & Maren Morris - 42”
Reared on country, the hitmaker Morris has recently declared her intention to move toward pop, as she does here with the superstar DJ
Mickey Guyton, “Scary Love”
During the Black Lives Matter protests of 2020, she released “Black Like Me,” which speaks to her experiences as a Black woman in country music.
Kane Brown, “Marshmello & Kane Brown - Miles On It”
“New truck,” the new country superstar sings on this pop hybrid, with a four-on-the-floor beat courtesy of the electronic DJ/producer
RVSHVD, “Hunnids In A Honky Tonk”
Hailing from Georgia, he’s been tagged “country’s next big thing”
Norman North, “On Your Mind (feat. Taylor Austin Dye)”
Though he initially thought he’d have a career in hip-hop, this Texas native grew up on the joy of a good Brooks & Dunn song
Niko Moon, “FISHIN' IN THE DARK”
He came up the old-school Nashville way – by writing for the big stars (Dierks Bentley, Morgan Wallen, Zac Brown).
Blanco Brown, “Sunshine Shine”
He’s produced tracks for Fergie and Pitbull, but his own debut single “The Git Up” (2019) established his two-step bona fides.
Reyna Roberts, “Country Club”
An advocate for country music’s Black roots, she gained traction after a video went viral of her singing Carrie Underwood’s “Drinking Alone”.
Diplo, “Diplo, Sturgill Simpson, Dove Cameron & Johnny Blue Skies - Use Me (Brutal Hearts)”
After a long break, country stalwart Sturgill Simpson returns in a new guise, as “Johnny Blue Skies”.
Don Louis, “Touchdown”
With a rockin’ guitar flourish, the East Texas songwriter extends the football metaphor for the length of this crossover hit
Tiera Kennedy, “Jesus, My Mama, My Therapist”
If the title of this recent track from the ‘Cowboy Carter’-featured artist doesn’t sound like new country to you, y’all got another think comin’
Brittney Spencer, “First Car Feeling"
From Baltimore, it was her time at Middle Tennessee State University that helped give this songwriter the country bug
Mickey Guyton, “Nothing Compares To You (feat. Kane Brown)”
Nope, not the Sinead-by-way-of-Prince classic – this one’s newfangled in all the right ways
Morgan Wade, “The Night (Part 2)”
“You don’t expect a country song to be called ‘Psychopath,’” she has said, but that’s the title of her latest album.
BRELAND, “Throw It Back (feat. Keith Urban)”
“Shawty got me catching feelings, I just hope she throw it back,” sings the songwriter, with help from a not-so-old friend
Norman North, “Forgive Me (feat. Willie Jones)”
Two of country’s hard-charging newcomers go together like Butch and Sundance
O.N.E The Duo, “HoeDown”
They’re a mom-and-daughter duo with a lineage of hip-hop royalty – Prana’s father is the Wu-Tang Clan’s RZA
The Kentucky Gentlemen, “Heartache in the Hills”
These twin brothers from small-town Kentucky are carving space for Black and queer artists in country
Thomas Rhett, “Thomas Rhett - Beautiful As You”
The latest from the hitmaker is the lead track from his seventh album, due in August
K. Michelle, “Tennessee (Bonus Track)”
Born in Memphis, the onetime reality TV star features prominent banjo and a pronounced drawl on this Dolly-loving track
Zach Bryan, “Nine Ball”
This prolific songwriter has shown one of country’s steadiest hands since his emergence just a few years ago
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