Jimmie Allen opens up about the time he faced racism in the country

Web Desk

11th Apr, 2022. 01:33 pm
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Jimmie Allen opens up about the time he faced racism in the country

American singer Jimmie Allen discussed the challenges he’s had as a Black singer in the country genre with CBS Mornings’ Nate Burleson on Friday (April 8), and how his family influence — notably, lessons gained from his mother — has helped him deal with the prejudice he’s faced in the industry.

Specifically, Allen remembers a time he encountered racism at a visit to a country radio station.

Allen said, “There was this guy that worked at this radio station, he told me straight up he didn’t like Black people. But luckily he’s not in radio no more. And country radio played my music.”

“I’m not naive to the fact that there are people across the world that don’t like other people because of [their] skin color. I get it. But why would I wanna focus on that? You know how we change hearts? By treating people well and making good music, bro,” he added.

“I feel like my success, it comes from the energy that — my mother has really helped me, these last couple years, focus on the positive,” he explains. “My mom’s the one that taught me that. Recently, too. Like, ‘Don’t worry about the negative. Why?’ She’s like, ‘You chose country music, right? Deal with it. Get it done.'”

“I love country music. I’m not saying everybody involved in country music might love me. I can’t control that. But I can control the people that do. And I can control the music I make,” he concludes.

Allen has a successful strategy. He was nominated for a Grammy Award in the all-genre Best New Artist category, and his Brad Paisley duet “Freedom Was a Highway” recently became his third No. 1 success. He’s presently working on a new album, Tulip Drive.

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