There has been a lot of criticism surrounding country artist Jason Aldean’s song “Try That in a Small Town.” Some have labeled it as “racist” and “pro-lynching.” After the song was taken off the radio, Aldean finally addressed the accusations.
CMT removed the music video for “Try That in a Small Town” in response to claims of racism and “pro-lynching.” Aldean is now defending himself against these allegations.
In a statement on social media, Aldean said, “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 criticized for not supporting the statewide BLM rallies. These references are not only pointless but also dangerous.”
The music video was pulled from CMT after just three days, but they have chosen not to explain their decision. However, in Columbia, Tennessee, Aldean performed the controversial song in front of the Maury County Courthouse, which features an American flag draped over the entrance.
Some keen observers noted that this location holds historical significance, as an African-American man named Henry Choate was lynched there in the 1920s. The video also shows protesters confronting the police while burning American flags, though it’s unclear where the footage was captured.
The lyrics of the song say, “Cuss out a cop, spit in his face, stomp on the flag, and light it on. Yeah, you think you’re tough. Well, try that in a small town. See how far you make it down the road.” The message warns that crossing that line will have consequences, so it’s advisable not to test it.
Variety labeled the song as “the most contemptible country song of the decade,” and social media users openly called Aldean a “violent bigot” and a “racist who writes barely concealed lynching songs.”
However, Aldean vehemently denies any racial intent behind the song. He suggests that the song’s purpose is to capture the “feeling of community” he experienced while growing up. According to Aldean, the song signifies how neighbors watched out for each other, regardless of their differences in origin or ideology.
Aldean clarifies that the lyrics do not mention or allude to race, and the video clips are taken from actual news reports. He emphasizes that while he respects others’ interpretations of songs, this one has been misunderstood.
The singer acknowledges that his political views have never been hidden, and he knows that not everyone agrees on how to return to a sense of normalcy in the country. However, he reiterates that the song is about the longing for a better world.
This isn’t the first time Aldean has faced backlash. His PR firm let him go in 2021 after his wife, Brittany Aldean, made transphobic remarks. She received criticism for thanking her parents on Instagram for not allowing her to change her gender during her “tomboy phase.”
In response to her video, Jason commented, “Lmao!! Because you and I wouldn’t have gotten along.” This incident added to the negative attention surrounding Aldean.
Aldean is currently on his Highway Desperado tour, which started on July 14. Unfortunately, on the second day of the tour, he was hospitalized for heatstroke and had to postpone his performance.
The concert venue has issued a statement saying that yesterday’s Jason Aldean performance has been postponed and a new date will be announced soon. They appreciate everyone’s patience and well wishes for the artist.
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