Darius Rucker and Morgan Wallen
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Photographs; Christopher Polk/Penske Media by way of Getty Photographs
Darius Rucker says it’s time to forgive Morgan Wallen.
Whereas talking on the Rolling Stone Music Now podcast, the nation singer mirrored on the backlash Wallen acquired after he was caught utilizing a racial slur in a 2021 video.
“I feel Morgan’s grow to be a greater particular person since that,” Rucker stated. “I’ve recognized Morgan a very long time. Since all that occurred, Morgan’s tried to essentially higher himself and grow to be a greater particular person and see the world in a a lot better, higher approach.”
After the video circulated on-line, the singer’s recording contract with Large Loud Data was suspended indefinitely on the time. CMT had additionally introduced that they’d take away the singer’s appearances from their platforms. Previous to Wallen’s contract suspension, iHeart Media had formally pulled Wallen’s music and content material from their stations, in addition to SiriusXM and Pandora eradicating his music from their playlists.
He finally returned to the 2022 Billboard Music Awards with a efficiency however made no point out of the incident. He went on to win the award for high nation male artist.
Regardless of Wallen’s album Harmful: The Double Album successful the 2022 Academy of Nation Music Award for album of the 12 months, Rucker argued that Wallen continues to be “not forgiven.”
“He’s nonetheless not out for CMAs and ACMs. They’ll say what they need, however the truth that Morgan Wallen shouldn’t be up for entertainer of the 12 months and people issues is loopy. Nobody’s promoting extra tickets than Morgan.” (It was introduced in April that Wallen was among the many nominees for entertainer of the 12 months for the 2024 Academy of Nation Music Awards.)
Following the 2021 incident wherein Wallen is seen on video arriving residence with some associates and overheard yelling profanities, together with the N-word, Wallen checked himself right into a rehab facility.
“The video you noticed was me on hour 72 of a bender and that’s not one thing I’m happy with both,” he stated when addressing his habits proven on the time. “Our actions matter. Our phrases matter. And I wish to encourage anybody that’s watching to please be taught from my mistake. There’s no motive to downplay what I did.”
After the 2021 controversy, Wallen discovered himself in additional hassle earlier this 12 months. In April, Wallen was arrested and jailed in Nashville after he allegedly threw a chair from the highest of Chief’s Bar, which is owned by nation music star Eric Church and was celebrating its opening weekend per native information station WSMV-TV. The 30-year-old nation star was launched on bond, reported to be $15,250.
In his first public assertion on the arrest, Wallen stated, “I didn’t really feel proper publicly checking in till I made amends with some people,” he wrote. “I’ve touched base with Nashville legislation enforcement, my household, and the nice folks at Chief’s. I’m not happy with my habits, and I settle for accountability.”
