One of the most distinguishable genres of music has always been country music. With its classic twain and themes of trucks, blue collar life, hardships, patriotism, family, faith and heartbreak, it is easy to determine what was a country song. However, modern country music has begun to blend with other genres, making the definitive line between country and other genres harder to determine.
According to the music blog “Pop Passion”, “It’s no secret that country music is a timeless genre in American history. That trademark twang is the product of centuries of Southern and Appalachian cultures…Country music’s persistence is derived from the sheer drive to play music in any and all economic situations.”
Starting with its origins in the Appalachian Mountains in the late 1920s, country music has been an independent genre. Starting out as Hillbilly Music and then forming into Bluegrass by the 1930s, Dolly Parton would eventually help form Pop Country, which is the sound we recognize as country music today. Artists like George Strait, Brooks and Dunn, Kenny Chesney, Alan Jackson, Reba McEntire, Tim McGraw, Shaina Twain and Garth Brooks became country music star icons; the definition of country music themselves. However, the Pop Country sound itself has significantly shifted, now nearly unrecognizable to its origins. With so many artists either switching to country or creating a country style of their own, it begs the question of who is truly country.
According to a “Grammy Go” article, “The Evolution of Country Pop Music: A Fusion of Genres”, “Over the years, country pop has evolved and transformed, incorporating various influences and producing chart-topping hits.”
Country music began to grow more mainstream in the last decade and with it, a variety of new or rising artists have joined the country genre, leading to several new modern takes on country music. Artists like Post Malone, Shaboozey, Taylor Swift and even Beyonce have all tried to contribute to the genre, mixing pop, rap and R&B to classic country sound. These artists and several others are attempting to expand their audience through country music, or become a country artist themselves; however, not all artists belong in the country music genre.
Taylor Swift is an infamous example of this. Her debut album “Taylor Swift” was initially country before her major pop switch with her album “1989.” This was most likely a direct result of Swift not providing enough country aspects in her music leading up to “1989,” isolating herself from other country music. Even though she began to tether the line between country and pop, she broadened the definition of country music.
According to “Grammy Awards,” “Everything that happened after the success of Fearless pushed Swift from country music’s best-kept secret to a mainstream star.”
A more modern example of Taylor Swift’s groundbreaking shift is actually reversed. Popular pop and rap artist Post Malone has attempted to grow an audience in the country music industry with his album “F1 Trillion”.
In the New York Times article: “How Post Malone Went Country (Carefully, with a Beer in His Hand)”, Post Malone’s producer, Charlie Handsome, mentions, “I used to say to people, he’s the reverse Taylor Swift: He’s going to start as a rapper, become a huge pop star and after all that, he’s going to be a country artist”
While some country music fans speculate this switch is monetary motivation, Post Malone has appeared to be making an effort to assimilate to the country music stereotype while still providing some uniqueness to his music.
According to the New York Times, “… it would be a mistake to see Post’s latest evolution as merely an exercise in trend hopping instead of the most perfect example and execution of his career…”
He has collaborated with several well-known and well -espected country artists, including Luke Combs, Blake Shelton, Tim McGraw, Chris Stapleton, Hank Williams Jr. and Morgan Wallen, who helped him provide a no 1. song, ‘I Had Some Help”, further showing signs of a true attempt to become a country artist.
Beyoncé is yet another artist who attempted to grow in the country music industry . Her controversial take on country music lacked what felt like a genuine attempt to become a true country artist and instead, an attempt to grow her fan base. This could be because the album was meant to be just another Beyoncé album. Beyoncé has dominated the pop industry for nearly three decades, becoming one of the biggest pop icons of the century. Her “country” album “Cowboy Carter” mainly featured covers of famous country songs such as “Jolene” by Dolly Parton, or songs like “Texas Hold ‘Em” that only attempt to sound like true country music based on stereotypical themes. Her change was merely still her iconic pop disguised in boots.
According to The Federalist, “Putting the history aside, “Cowboy Carter” as a larger work did not meet the expectations of a country album. In fact, it strays far from the traditional and modern styles of country music — from Shania Twain to Morgan Wallen, this album simply seems mislabeled.”
Despite Beyoncé’s failed attempt to push her pop songs as country, pop country can be done successfully. Megan Moroney has captivated the heart of Gen Z and introduced country music to a larger fan base. However, she sometimes leans away from the classic stereotypical country sound and style, with her sparkly dresses, colorful album covers and extravagant concerts. Her music still remains country with her themes of heartbreak and the classic country twain.
According to The New Yorker, “Moroney gets great mileage out of the contrast between the achy-breaky songs she sings and the bright smile she loves to flash.”
So while a more modern take on country music, she fits into the country genre nevertheless.
Shaboozey is another rising country artist, whose career started in the rap industry. His shift to country music became significant with his hit song “A Bar Song (Tipsy)”, with nearly 1.6 million streams on Spotify, followed by other hit songs such as “Good News” and “Amen” ft. Jelly Roll.
In a New York Times article, Shaboozey reflects that he believes country music is more versatile than listeners may think.
“When I started making music about the things that interest me in life, the things that I found valuable in my experiences and I wrote from that perspective, with a guitar behind it, singing in my voice — it’s now country music, I guess.” Shaboozey said
Shaboozey has found success through his country music hits, as he is popular on country radio and has been nominated for and won several country awards, including a Grammy for Best Country Duo/Group Performance for “Amen” 2026, “People’s Choice Country” New Artist and New Artist song 2024, “Billboard Music” Top Song Sales Artist, Top Selling Artist and Top Country song 2024 and “Variety’s” Newcomer Of The Year 2024.
Zach Bryan is also a growing name in the country music and folk industry, bridging the gap between the two genres. Despite his rapidly growing popularity, he isn’t largely recognized by country radio, aside from his hit song “Something in the Orange”, which only peaked at number 20 on the charts.
According to an article from Radio Consultants, “…most country programmers who even know he exists have determined that he doesn’t ‘fit the sound’ of country. … Even though Zach is from Oklahoma (the birthplace of Red Dirt), ex-military and writes his own songs, meaning he checks literally every box.”
Despite his music failing to be represented in country radio, just like Megan Moroney, Zach Bryan has a massive young audience and serves as a gateway to country music for his young listeners. His music carries country themes and is considered red dirt and outlaw country. So rightfully so he can be considered a country artist.
According to Radio Consultants: “By every measure we look at internally, Zach Bryan is one of the top four country artists right now. In some markets he’s literally number one overall. Nationally, and in most major markets, he falls behind the format’s leader the past few years, Morgan Wallen, as well as Luke Combs and Jelly Roll.”
Whether country music fans approve or not, the genre is growing and will continue to grow over the next several years. Different generations have different sound preferences and styles and this generation has proved that. As country music’s audience grows, so will its extensive list of artists and tracks.
