", Morgan Wallen says that his use of a racial slur in the video footage released by TMZ in February was fueled by drinking and that he meant to be playful with one of his friends, but admits hes not sure why he thought he could use the word and was just ignorant about it.. "Before this incident my album was already doing well," he told ABC's "Good Morning America" co-host Michael Strahan. They go on to say Republic Records -- which distributes his music -- is fully onboard too, adding "such behavior will not be tolerated.". Morgan Cole Wallen (born May 13, 1993) is an American country music singer and songwriter. TMZ broke the story Morgan was filmed by a neighbor Sunday night getting rowdy with his friends, and then dropping the n-word as he made his way inside, seemingly telling a buddy to rough somebody up. Country stars have responded to the incident. Many in the country-music community have already commented on the situation, with Mickey Guyton, who was the first Black female solo artist to receive a Grammy nomination in a country category, tweeting, This is not his first time using that unacceptable racial slur and we all known that. A spokesperson for Cox Media Group also tells us effective immediately his music and content will be removed from its country-brand station playlists. Country music star Morgan Wallen caught on video using N-word After country artist Morgan Wallen was caught on camera using a racial slur in February 2021, things looked bleak for his career. Fans were told of the cancellation just minutes before Wallen was set to take the stage, and several of those at the stadium took to social media to share their dismay. We all know it wasnt his first time using that word. Morgan Wallen Denounced After N-Word, Radio/Label/Sirius & CMT - TMZ Wallen told Strahan that one of the first organizations he spoke with was the Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC), an advocacy organization that was created to fight for fair treatment of Black artists and address racism in the music industry. Do I have an alcohol problem? We're answering the most burning questions, but catch up quickly, because the story is still moving fast. We got to a number somewhere around $500,000, and we decided to donate that money to some organizations, BMAC being the first one., In addition to the personal consequences Wallen faced, his actions also spurred several major country artists to condemn his comments and call the country music industry out for its history of racism. This is not the first time Wallen's behavior on video has gotten him into trouble. Fellow country artist Jason Isbell called use of the slur " disgusting and horrifying ," and suggested that Mr. Wallen's music label replace him with a black musician. Wallen said in a statement to TMZ: "I'm embarrassed and sorry. Effective immediately we request that all of Morgan Wallens music be removed from our playlists without exception. In a pre-released clip from Good Morning America, Morgan Wallen can be seen discussing the controversy with host Michael Strahan: ABC NEWS EXCLUSIVE: Country music star @MorganWallen sits down with our @michaelstrahan, in his first interview since he was caught on tape using a racial slur. Jason Aldean dodged similar falloutwhen he wore blackface as part of his Halloween costume in 2015, and songwriter Dallas Davidsonadmitted to being embarrassed after he used a slur for a gay person as he was being arrested while intoxicated. There are no excuses to use this type of language, ever. In light of Morgan Wallens recent actions involving the use of a racial slur, we have made the decision to remove his music and content from our stations effective immediately, a spokesperson told the magazine. CMT one of country music's largest video platforms removed allWallen-related content from their platform. During his "GMA" interview, the singer revealed he checked himself into a rehab facility following the scandal. Take care of this p---- ass n-----" while returning to his Tennessee home after partying. A timeline of Justin Bieber, Hailey Bieber, and Selena Gomezs love triangle. "It's one of my best friends -- he was, we were all clearly drunk -- I was askin' his girlfriend to take care of him because he was drunk and he was leavin,'" Wallen reflected on the night the video was taken. IE 11 is not supported. The Hollywood Reporter is a part of Penske Media Corporation. As per the video, reportedly filmed by a neighbor, Morgan Wallen can be seen addressing one of his friends using the n-word and hurling obscenities: The singer immediately issued an apology statement to TMZ following the incident: However, the controversy led to the suspension of the musician from his record label Big Loud for an indefinite period of time. With Barry on the loose, all Gene, Fuches, Hank, and Sally can do is crumble as they wait to see who hes coming for first. ", "I was around some of my friends, and we just we say dumb stuff together," Wallen said on "GMA." BMAC is an advocacy organization that works to address systemic racism within the music business. Wallen said his conversations led him to realize how much pain is embedded in the slur he so casually used. In October, he was pulled as the Saturday Night Live musical performer after he was seen in TikTok videos partying without a mask and kissing random women, putting him at risk for the coronavirus. Morgan Wallen has issued a video apology on his Instagram account, saying that the reason for the delay was that he first wanted to issue personal apologies and meet with Black leaders before. Morgan Wallen shook the country music world - and the country - when a recent video surfaced of him using a racist slur. He has previously said he uttered the slur at the end of a "72-hour bender. "I can only come tell my truth, and -- and that's all I know to do. When Strahan asked Wallen to take him back to the night the footage was captured, Wallen said he had been partying with some of his longtime friends the weekend the footage was taken and "it just happened. According to Country Insider, the record was streamed more than 240 million times in its first week. He's giving a new meaning to "Wasted on You.". Another added: "@MorganWallen you're a piece of s*** for this! And as the rest of the world . I used an unacceptable and inappropriate racial slur that I wish I could take back. Wallen was exposed for saying a racial slur after TMZ put out footage of the country singer acting belligerent after a night . Morgan Wallen Apologizes for Using N-Word in Leaked Video Country music stars were quick to condemn Wallen's language. Wallen can be heard on the video calling his friend a "motherf---er" and then referring to the man using the N-word. Morgan Wallen also ended up losing the nomination for his latest album from the 56th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards. The U2 singer called his Zelenskyy portrait a few squiggles and I just got out of the way.. The software that cloned Drake and the Weeknds voices is easy to useand impossible to shut down. Been sitting in this stadium for 3 hrs and he just announced the show is canceled!!! After his appearance on The Voice, Wallen signed with Panacea Records and released his debut single "Stand Alone" in 2015. Update, February 3, 5:35 p.m.: Both of countrys major awards-granting bodies have taken action against Wallen. 7:45 AM PT -- Country star Mickey Guyton -- one of a small handful of well-known Black singers in the genre -- just spoke her piece about Morgan's situation and she gives some poignant insight, including an olive branch for Morgan himself. I promise to do better. Wallen has spent three weeks atop the Billboard charts for his album Dangerous, which also broke the first-week streaming record for a country album. Your login session has expired. 1 week on the Billboard 200 this week, plus a Top 10 radio single soon and more streaming records to come. Published: Apr. La La Anthony, Chloe Fineman Will Play Fashion Correspondents at Met Gala 2023. He angered fans by canceling a show last minute. America So She Could Breastfeed Privately, NBCUniversal and CAPE Launch Emerging Executives Committee (Exclusive). Wallen said Friday that he has met with members of the Black Music Action Coalition and donated money from his spiked sales to the group and other organizations. COMPLETE BULL****!! American country singer Morgan Wallen is all set to appear on Good Morning America to address the recent controversy regarding his use of a racial slur. Crickets wont work this time. A video. The embattled singer is no stranger to controversy. Orgasmic Performance of Tchaikovsky's Fifth!!! While it tooklonger for the trio's music to disappear (days into weeks), it did happen. ", The fellow country star Maren Morris responded: "It actually IS representative of our town because this isn't his first 'scuffle' and he just demolished a huge streaming record last month regardless. UPDATE. Michelle Obama and Bruce Springsteen Tore Up the Stage with Glory Days. Many artists will would agree that Wallen's remarks are much more emblematic of a prejudiced system than most would like to believe. Morgan Wallen attends The 56th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena on November 09, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. The catalyst was, of course, Morgan Wallen's N-word (hard - er) heard round Nashville, and later, the whole nation, via footage filmed by a neighbor leaked to TMZ. Industry professionals are tweeting their support of guild members. Do I have an alcohol problem? Singer apologizes for using racist Asian slur in resurfaced video, and the internet isn't too happy. '", In his February apology video, Wallen admitted he had "many more things to learn" but affirmed that he knew he did not want to further "add to any division.". Do I have a deeper issue? he shared. The country singer . Strahan asked the musician if he realizes how hurtful the word is to Black people. "If you condone or try to justify @MorganWallens latest behavior, there is NO place for you in the Country Music community or ANY community," Justin Fabus wrote on Twitter. "We do not tolerate or condone words and actions that are in direct opposition to our core values that celebrate diversity, equity and inclusion., Wendy Goldberg, an iHeart Media representative, said in statement, "In light of Morgan Wallens recent actions involving the use of a racial slur, we have made the decision to remove his music and content from our stations effective immediately. He apologized at the time, calling his actions pretty shortsighted. Wallen was then allowed to appear on the show in December. I am so sorry, I promise you guys I tried everything I could.". Stay up to date with what you want to know. One of the biggest radio chains in the US dropped him from its playlists in response. I want to sincerely apologize for using the word. 12:06 PM PT -- A spokesperson for Emmis Communications tells TMZ it's yanking Morgan's music from its only country-programmed radio station, Hank FM, in Indianapolis. I promise to do better.". Morgan Wallen speaks to 'GMA' about being filmed using racial slur In 2021, a video leaked of him using a racial slur, which led to a huge backlash, including his music being removed from radio stations and the Academy of Country Music deciding his recent album would be ineligible for its awards. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, Download the TMZ App on the Apple App Store, Download the TMZ App on the Google Play Store. The Academy of Country Music, which just finished first-round voting for its 2021 awards, said it will halt Morgan Wallens potential involvement and eligibility for this years 56th Academy of Country Music Awards cycle. Second-round voting for the awards, recognizing 2020 releases, begins on February 10; while Wallens Dangerous: The Double Album wouldnt be eligible, Wallen was a possible favorite for song and artist categories. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google "The embarrassment is just going to keep growing over this," Laura Harth, the campaign director at Safeguard Defenders, told Newsweek. Refunds for tonights events will be available at point of purchase beginning tomorrow," the sign read. A neighbor who heard the commotion filmed the incident. Earlier this year, TMZ released a video where the singer was seen yelling profanities in an inebriated state after returning from an outing with friends. "The news out of Nashville tonight does not represent country music," shared Kelsea Ballerini. "This week I heard firsthand some personal stories from Black people that honestly shook me. Elisha Fieldstadt is a breaking news reporter for NBC News. Wallens songs were also removed from platforms like Apple Music and Spotify (for one week). All Rights Reserved. Morgan Wallen at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn., on Jan. 12. In late January 2021, Morgan Wallen spent a night out on the town in Nashville, Tenn. with a group of friends before winding back up at his house, per People. Morgan Wallen's racial slur controversy one year later | CNN Wallen said in a. The Truth About The Latest Morgan Wallen Controversy - NickiSwift.com ", "I was around some of my friends, and we just, we say dumb stuff together," Waller said. By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy and to receive email correspondence from us. Along with repercussions that he faced from his own representation, many artists in the country music industry, including Mickey Guyton and more, used their platforms to condemn his actions and call out the history of racism in the industry. Following the video's release, the chart-topping singer was promptly dropped by his record label and talent agency, disqualified from eligibility at multiple prestigious country music award shows and his music was removed from multiple radio companies' stations. In video obtained by TMZ and. I think this is an opportunity for the country music industry to give that spot to somebody who deserves it, and there are lots of black artists who deserve it. The singer said he had several conversations after the fallout from the video, including with record executive Kevin Liles; Eric Hutcherson, the executive vp and chief people and inclusion officer at Universal Music Group; gospel singer BeBe Winans; and the Black Music Action Coalition. 23, 2023 at 7:41 PM PDT. Ive witnessed it for 10 gd years. According to TMZ, Wallen was returning home Sunday night with a group of friends when neighbors heard him yelling a series of comments to a man who was with him. For example, country star Kelsea Ballerini wrote "The news out of Nashville tonight does not represent country music," to which Maren Morris responded "It actually IS representative of our town because this isnt his first scuffle and he just demolished a huge streaming record last month regardless. Morgan Wallen returned home Sunday from a rowdy night with friends, and as he walked up his driveway he hurled the n-word and other profanities, it's all on video and Wallen is remorseful. Im embarrassed and sorry, Wallen told TMZ in a statement. It was in our minds, its playful, Wallen said, before quickly following up, That sounds ignorant, but it thats really where it came from.. 9:01 AM PT -- You can now add iHeartRadio -- the nation's largest radio chain -- to the list of platforms yanking Morgan's music. he shared. Kid Rocks Big Ass Honky Tonk Rock N Roll Steakhouse, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. An apology came swiftly, but so too did the consequences: In addition to most of country music's major radio players, Spotify and Apple Music have pulled Wallen's songs fromtheir playlists. According to the outlet, the country music star's neighbor recorded footage of . But Wallen said he didn't consider what the correlation might mean about country music fans. Morgan Wallen's First Live Performance Since N-Word Video - TMZ Singer apologizes for using racist Asian slur in resurfaced video, and the internet isn't too happy.