Morgan Wallen is apologizing after being filmed using a racial slur, but the reaction was quick and he was “suspended indefinitely” by his record label.
The country singer – the latest news when his pandemic party without masks got him kicked out of Saturday Night Live (it was later rescheduled) – it was captured on video, published by TMZ, allegedly using the word N.
“I’m ashamed and sorry,” the 27-year-old “Whiskey Glass” singer told the outlet in a statement. “I used an unacceptable and inappropriate racial slander that I would like to be able to remove. There is no excuse for using this type of language, ever. I want to sincerely apologize for using that word. I promise to do better. “
Wallen’s representative at Sweet Talk Publicity told Yahoo Entertainment that additional comments will come.
The video, apparently recorded on Sunday by Wallen’s neighbor in Nashville, showed the singer being left by friends and apparently stumbling towards his home. In doing so, he shouted the word with N and some other bad words to anyone in the car.
There has already been precipitation. Wallen, considered one of the hottest rising stars in the country, had his recording contract suspended.
In a statement posted on Big Loud Records’ social media, he said the decision was made “to suspend Morgan Wallen’s contract indefinitely” and Republic Records, which distributes his recordings, “fully supports Big Loud’s decision and agrees that this behavior will not be tolerated. “
It is not yet clear what a “suspended” contract means, as it is not a common practice in the music industry.
In addition, Wallen – who currently has album number 1, Dangerous: the double album, in the country for the third consecutive week – saw its music pulled by iHeartRadio and Cumulus Media, the largest groups of radio stations in the USA
Other country singers reacted quickly, including Mickey Guyton, who is the first black solo artist to receive a Grammy nomination in a country category. She said “hate is deep” in a tweet.
In a second post, she wrote that “it is not the first time he has used that ‘unacceptable’ racial slander and we all know that.” And she wanted to know what would be done about it, since “the crickets are not going to work this time”.
This is not the first time he has used that “unacceptable” racial slander and we all know that. So, what exactly are you going to do about it. The crickets will not work this time.
– Mickey Guyton (@MickeyGuyton) February 3, 2021
And the singer of “Black Like Me” also replied to those who commented that Wallen does not represent who country music is. She wrote: “I laugh because that is exactly what country music is. I have witnessed this for 10 years gd. You should just read some of the vile comments that are thrown at me daily. It is a hard and cold truth to face, but it is the truth. “
When I read comments saying “this is not who we are”, I laugh because that’s exactly what country music is. I have witnessed this for 10 years. You should just read some of the vile comments that are thrown at me daily. It is a hard and cold truth to face, but it is the truth. pic.twitter.com/l3h18Z1ARU
– Mickey Guyton (@MickeyGuyton) February 3, 2021
I question daily why I continue to struggle to be in an industry that seems to hate me so much. But then I realize that there is a new color artist, all bright-eyed and excited to be in this industry.
– Mickey Guyton (@MickeyGuyton) February 3, 2021
Although she has made it clear that she does not believe in “canceling culture”.
And lastly, I don’t believe in canceling culture. Watching someone fall from grace is a terrible thing to see. Everyone should have a chance to change. Morgan must feel the weight of his words, but throwing someone away completely is detrimental to anyone’s mental health.
– Mickey Guyton (@MickeyGuyton) February 3, 2021
Kelsea Ballerini said Wallen’s behavior “does not represent county music”.
Nashville’s news tonight doesn’t represent country music.
– Kelsea Ballerini (@KelseaBallerini) February 3, 2021
She then replied: “The truth is the truth” to a commentator who said that if she were a female artist, she would face tougher repercussions.
Maren Morris agreed that “it is actually representative of our city because this is not his first ‘fight’ and he just demolished a huge streaming record last month, regardless. We all know that it was not the first time that he used that word. We keep them rich and protected at all costs, without resources ”.
In fact, it is representative of our city because this is not his first “fight” and he just demolished a huge streaming record last month, regardless. We all know that it was not the first time that he used that word. We keep them rich and protected at all costs, without resources.
– MAREN MORRIS (@MarenMorris) February 3, 2021
However, Morris agreed with the feeling about women in the country being treated more severely, replying, “Yes. we would be discarded, lost endorsements, social outcasts of the musical line … ”
Yes. We would be abandoned, lost endorsements, social outcasts of the musical line …
– MAREN MORRIS (@MarenMorris) February 3, 2021
Wallen made headlines in October after Saturday Night Live replaced him as the musical guest due to the “COVID-19 protocols” after TikTok videos emerged from him at a party – without a mask – and kissing several women while visiting a university campus. At the time, he apologized, saying: “I think I have to grow a lot. I think I got lost a little. ”He ended up doing his SNL debuted two months later – and scoffed at the controversy.
In an interview with Access last month, he said his intentions “were not malicious. I was not trying to do anything disrespectful “, adding:” I am still learning.
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Originally published