Black Country Artists To Listen To In 2025

In 2024, the release of Beyoncé Knowles' historic COWBOY CARTER – which latterly won both 'Album Of The Year' and 'Best Country Album' at the Grammy Awards – renewed discussions about the pivotal role of Black country artists that began when she recorded Daddy Lessons for LEMONADE. Beyoncé stated that the controversy generated by her performing the song at the 50th Country Music Association Awards (CMA's) alongside The Chicks prompted COWBOY CARTER.

"It was born out of an experience that I had years ago where I did not feel welcomed… and it was very clear that I wasn't," Beyoncé wrote on Instagram. "But, because of that experience, I did a deeper dive into the history of country music and studied our rich musical archive… The criticisms I faced when I first entered this genre forced me to propel past the limitations that were put on me."

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In between, Atlanta rapper/singer Lil Nas X unleashed his viral country trap mega-hit Old Town Road, only to encounter establishment gatekeeping. And, in 2020, as the Black Lives Matter movement gained momentum, Mickey Guyton composed Black Like Me about her own story as a country artist.

Beyoncé cut COWBOY CARTER as the second instalment ("act ii") in a trilogy that started with 2022's house album RENAISSANCE. The project is her personal exploration of Americana ("This ain't a country album," Beyoncé stressed. "This is a 'Beyoncé' album").

But, conceived as a Texan radio transmission with DJs, the Houstonian also used COWBOY CARTER to platform Black country artists past and present – none more important than Linda Martell, the earliest Black female country star.

Happily, those new artists – including Reyna Roberts, Tanner Adell and Shaboozey – have all benefitted from the album's success. Indeed, since COWBOY CARTER, country listenership has increased. That trend should continue as Beyoncé heads on tour in April – the first stop is Los Angeles.

In Australia, Indigenous artists, too, have long been at the forefront of country music, with Blak superstars like Jimmy Little and Troy Cassar-Daley. Even Jessica Mauboy launched as a country singer.

Here are some Black artists to listen to in 2025.

1. Darius Rucker

You may already be familiar with Darius Rucker. The South Carolinian has enjoyed an illustrious music career since the '90s, initially fronting the Grammy-winning heartland rock band Hootie & The Blowfish – their classic debut, Cracked Rear View, was certified diamond in the US. But, with Hootie on hiatus, Rucker embarked on a solo run.

In 2002, Rucker released a now obscure neo-soul album but, six years on, returned to his Southern roots with Learn To Live on Capitol Records Nashville, ushering in a new era of modern country soul. Rucker won over the country scene, premiering at The Grand Ole Opry in 2008 (he'd later be inducted).

Rucker would become the first Black artist since Charley Pride in 1983 to top the Hot Country Songs chart with his single Don't Think I Don't Think About It and the first Black artist to win 'New Artist Of The Year' at the CMA's. In 2014 he picked up another Grammy ('Best Country Solo Performance') with a massive rendition of Old Crow Medicine Show's Wagon Wheel.

In 2018, Rucker toured Australia, playing CMC Rocks QLD. He presented his most recent album, Carolyn's Boy, home to the feel-good Beers And Sunshine, in 2023. Oh, and Rucker transformed Metallica's Nothing Else Matters into Johnny Cash gothic for The Metallica Blacklist.

2. Kane Brown

Kane Brown is a country singer/songwriter for the post-genre age. A streaming and social media phenom, the superstar typifies fresh country fusion, dipping into R&B, hip-hop and EDM. It’s an addictive fusion that’s seen him nominated for International Artist of the Year at the inaugural Countrytown Awards. You can vote for him here.

Hailing from Chattanooga, Tennessee, Brown established himself with 2016's self-titled debut on RCA Records Nashville – crossing over majorly with the singles What Ifs (alongside old school pal Lauren Alaina) and Heaven. He's consistently fostered cross-cultural exchange via collabs, gracing a remix of Khalid's Saturday Nights.

The star toured Australia in November and last month delivered his fourth LP, The High Road – among its guests longtime cohorts Marshmello (whose barn banger Miles On It advances the country EDM style pioneered by Swedish DJ/producer Avicii) and Khalid plus Jelly Roll. Brown duets, too, with wife Katelyn Brown. The hooky I Can Feel It interpolates Phil Collins' In The Air Tonight.

3. Reyna Roberts

Citing Queen Bey as an influence, Reyna Roberts sings on Beyoncé's startling remake of The Beatles' Civil Rights-inspired Blackbird – retitled BLACKBIIRD – alongside Brittney Spencer, Tanner Adell and Tiera Kennedy.

Roberts was raised in a peripatetic military family and, born prematurely, her musicality was encouraged developmentally as she took to the piano.

In 2020, Roberts' cover of Carrie Underwood's Drinking Alone impressed Mickey Guyton and Underwood herself, both retweeting the video. That year she released her brash inaugural single, Stompin' Grounds. Known for her anthemic sound, Roberts issued Bad Girl Bible, Vol. 1 in 2023.

But, thanks to Beyoncé, the self-proclaimed Princess Of Outlaw Country relished a break-out 2024. In December Roberts became the first female country artist to play the hip-hop Rolling Loud festival in Miami together with Shaboozey and joined Beyoncé's halftime show (aka 'Beyoncé Bowl') at the NFL game in Houston on Christmas, a Netflix broadcast.

4. Tanner Adell

Tanner Adell Anderson is another rising Gen Z star who guests on Beyoncé's COWBOY CARTER – not only featuring on BLACKBIIRD but also providing backing vocals to AMERIICAN REQUIEM.

The 24-year-old biracial adoptee grew up between Manhattan Beach, California and Star Valley, Wyoming, learning different instruments. She developed her own mode of country with pop vocals and low-slung beats, signing to Columbia Records for 2023's mixtape BUCKLE BUNNY – namechecking Beyoncé on the rhinestone-studded title track.

Ironically, Tanner left Columbia shortly before COWBOY CARTER – her first independent single Whiskey Blues. She likewise contributed the song Too Easy to the country-heavy Twisters: The Album. And in November, the rodeo queen hit Australia for the Ridin' Hearts Festival, even chatting to Countrytown.

5. Shaboozey

Shaboozey (born Collins Chibueze) shows up twice on COWBOY CARTER with the songs, SPAGHETTII and SWEET HONEY BUCKIIN'. But he's been savouring an even bigger smash himself with the hoedown A Bar Song (Tipsy), flipping J-Kwon's 2004 one-hit wonder Tipsy.

In the US, A Bar Song (Tipsy) topped both the Billboard Hot Country Songs and Hot 100 (with an astronomical run!). Here in Australia, it reached #1 on the ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart.

The Nigerian-American Shaboozey, originating from Woodbridge, Virginia, melds country and hip-hop into his own paradigm. Initially into trap, he dropped two albums prior to his break-out, the first 2018's Lady Wrangler. He had a song with Duckwrth on the Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse OST.

Last May, Shaboozey released Where I've Been, Isn't Where I'm Going on the back of A Bar Song (Tipsy) – his most country LP. He's since aired the plaintive ballad Good News and performed on Saturday Night Live and at 'Beyoncé Bowl'.

At the Grammys, Shaboozey was nominated for six awards, including 'Best New Artist' and, with A Bar Song (Tipsy), 'Song Of The Year' and 'Best Country Song'. Though Beyoncé was snubbed at the prestigious CMA's, Shaboozey received nods for 'New Artist Of The Year' and 'Single Of The Year'. Plus he made the TIME100 Next list – Jelly Roll penning a glowing commendation.

6. The War And Treaty

The War And Treaty is husband and wife duo Michael Trotter Jr, who formerly served in the US Army, and Tanya Trotter. They are all about rootsy – and resonant – Americana.

The Washington DC pair officially premiered as The War And Treaty with 2018's independent LP Healing Tide – Emmylou Harris a guest. They then signed to Mercury Nashville for the buzz Lover's Game. In 2023, the Trotters would be the first Black act nominated for 'Vocal Duo Of The Year' at the CMA's and were up for 'Best New Artist' at the Grammys.

The War And Treaty reached a wider audience cameoing on Zach Bryan's eponymous LP (#2 in Australia). Last July they opened for The Rolling Stones in LA – and Bon Jovi recruited them for a dynamic version of The People's House. The duo are rolling out an uplifting new album, Plus One, led by the country gospel Carried Away.

7. Jess Hitchcock

Jess Hitchcock's versatility might wow even Beyoncé. The Naarm/Melbourne singer, who has Torres Strait Islander and Papua New Guinean heritage, is active in the music and performing arts spheres alike. In 2019 she released her debut 'artist' album, Bloodline, following with 2023's UNBREAKABLE – the jaunty single Homeward Bound a highlight.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Hitchcock accompanied Archie Roach on The Sound and later participated in First & Forever, "a celebration of Blak excellence" curated by Briggs, at Hanging Rock.

Hitchcock has sung backing vocals in Paul Kelly's band and collaborated with indie-folk fave Lisa Mitchell on the twangy number Summoning. Last year she was on the bill for Hopelessly Devoted: A Celebration Of Olivia Newton-John in her hometown.

8. Kashus Culpepper

Heading to CMC Rocks QLD next month, be sure to catch Kashus Culpepper at the sold-out event.

Like Darius Rucker, the Alabama native made a dramatic mid-career switch – of a kind. Culpepper was serving in the US Navy when, amid the pandemic, he began performing covers around campfires on guitar. Returning to the US, the gruff singer/songwriter gigged in dive bars along the Mississippi Gulf Coast, honing his rousing country rock.

Joining Morgan Wallen on the roster of Nashville's Big Loud Records, Culpepper has released a succession of singles – the first 2024's tuneful After Me. In January he aired Jenni, the harmonica-laden song simultaneously romantically hopeful and wry. Expect great things.

9. Angel White

The ascendant country star Angel White has actually worked as a cowboy (and on a bee farm). The Texan pays homage to country music's expansive heritage but with inflections of rock, neo-soul and hip-hop (he loves Kid Cudi). He will present his debut, GHOST OF THE WEST: THE ALBUM, next month, having already circulated several singles and an EP.

Musically and narratively, White revels in the same kind of theatricality and countrypolitan instrumentation as Canada's Orville Peck with songs such as 2022's arch-outlaw country VILLAIN. His voice is swoony.

10. Kyla-Belle

Kyla-Belle Roberts is one to watch. The precocious Gomeroi teen from Moree, New South Wales was first heard on The Bushwackers' 2024 cover of I Am Australian. In December she issued a gorgeously lilting debut single Scars – penned with local veteran David Carter at the CMAA Academy Of Country Music.

Last month, Kyla-Belle returned to the Tamworth Country Music Festival to perform – the singer/guitarist's parents, former pub-rockers, bolstering her band. Kyla-Belle is still in high school but, according to her Instagram, has been busy in the studio.