Emerging stars are starting to critique Trump’s immigration crackdown – defying the genre’s legacy of conservatism

Ray himself waded into the topic of immigration in 2023 with Jesus at the Taco Truck, written and performed with Shy Carter, about a man named Jesus with scars on his feet and hands from crossing the Rio Grande.

Did you hear it on the radio? Probably not. That’s because anything considered mainstream in the genre shies away from social commentary that doesn’t pass the sniff test of conservatism.

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[–] 42 points 9 months ago* (9 children)

No

And it is a shame. Country music used to be rebel music about outlaws and non-conformity. Now it is all god bless America the police protect us and boy the Army sure is cool.

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  • [–] 19 points 9 months ago* (2 children)

    also its done by rich millionaires mostly, Taylor swift was like that before she made it big. she comes from upper class, not poor, and adversity. thats why she still mesh with maga people, or at least she hangs out with them.

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  • [–] 10 points 9 months ago (1 child)

    I tried to explain to my girlfriend, who is a big fan of Taylor’s music, that there is no such thing as a good billionaire. It didn’t go over well.

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  • [–] 15 points 9 months ago (3 children)

    9/11 was a disaster for country music

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  • [–] 10 points 9 months ago (2 children)

    9/11 was a tragic event, but it’s been milked for over two decades. I don’t give a fuck about 9/11 anymore and honestly when people grieve it nowadays I can’t help but think of them as sheep. Shit happens, move on, or use it as a foundation for a conversation that aims to do more than stir nationalistic sentiment.

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  • [–] 1 point 9 months ago (1 child)

    Its always had plenty of both.

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  • [–] 1 point 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago)

    Depends on what era really. Compare Merle Haggard "Soldiers last letter" to something like "American Soldier" by Toby Keith.

    Country music was never about conformity and licking the balls of authoritarianism. The army certainly used country since the 1950's for recruitment though.

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