Country singer Jason Aldean faced significant controversy and backlash over his song “Try That in a Small Town,” which some critics deemed ‘racist’ and ‘pro-lynching.’ The music video was pulled from CMT’s airwaves following the accusations. Aldean took to social media to respond to these allegations, defending himself vehemently against the claims.
Addressing the accusations, Aldean stated, “In the past 24 hours, I have been accused of releasing a pro-lynching song (a song that has been out since May) and was subject to the comparison that I (direct quote) was not too pleased with the nationwide BLM protests. These references are not only meritless but dangerous.”
The controversial music video, shot in front of Maury County Courthouse in Columbia, Tennessee, showed Aldean performing with an American flag hanging over the entrance. Some pointed out that the location held historical significance, as it was the site of an African-American man’s lynching in the 1920s.
The lyrics of the song, particularly lines like “Cuss out a cop, spit in his face / Stomp on the flag and light it up,” sparked outrage and led some to label the song as “the most contemptible country song of the decade.” Critics on social media outrightly called Aldean a “racist” and a “violent bigot.”
Aldean denied any racist intentions behind the song, explaining that it merely reflects the “feeling of a community” he experienced while growing up. He emphasized that there were no racial references in the song’s lyrics, nor were there staged video clips. Instead, the video contained real news footage.
This wasn’t the first time Aldean faced controversy, as he was previously dropped by his publicity firm due to his wife Brittany Aldean’s transphobic comments. In response to the criticism, he defended his wife, leading to further public scrutiny.
The controversy emerged during Aldean’s Highway Desperado tour, which faced additional challenges when the singer was hospitalized due to heatstroke, prompting the rescheduling of a performance.
Despite the backlash, Aldean remains steadfast in his stance, emphasizing that his song is not intended to be racist or incite violence. He hopes that his music can provide a sense of normalcy in a world filled with troubling headlines.
