Country artist Jason Aldean has recently found himself at the center of controversy due to his new song and music video. Titled “Try That in a Small Town,” the song has faced accusations of being racist and pro-lynching. Despite the backlash and the removal of the music video from CMT, Aldean is now addressing the criticism and defending himself against the charges.

The Allegations and Aldean’s Defense

The song and its accompanying music video received heavy criticism for its alleged racist and pro-lynching themes. CMT decided to remove the music video from airplay, but did not publicly disclose the reasons behind their decision.

Aldean took to social media to address the accusations, stating, “In the past 24 hours, I have been accused of publishing a pro-lynching song and was subject to the comparison that I was not too pleased with the statewide BLM rallies.” He further emphasized, “These references are not only worthless, but dangerous.”

The music video in question was filmed in front of the Maury County Courthouse in Tennessee, where an African-American man named Henry Choate was tragically lynched in the 1920s. The video depicts scenes of protesters clashing with police officers and burning American flags.

Aldean’s Explanation

Aldean vehemently denies any racist intentions or references in his song. He argues that the lyrics do not mention race and that the video consists solely of real news footage. The artist explains that the song is simply about the sense of community he experienced growing up in a small town, where people look out for one another regardless of their differences.

“My political views have never been something I’ve hidden from,” Aldean adds. “The desire for a sense of normalcy is what this song is about.”

Reactions and Controversy

The song has been heavily criticized, with Variety labeling it as “the most contemptible country song of the decade.” Social media users have openly referred to Aldean as a racist and a violent bigot. The controversy surrounding the song adds to previous criticism the artist faced when his wife made transphobic remarks in 2021, leading to his public relations company severing ties with him.

Jason Aldean’s Tour Delay

Amidst the ongoing controversy, Aldean had just begun his Highway Desperado tour on July 14. However, he faced a setback when he was hospitalized for heatstroke on the second day, resulting in the postponement of his appearance. The concert venue released a statement apologizing for the inconvenience and expressing gratitude for the fans’ understanding.

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