Kane Brown Shares His Experiences with Racism in Country Music

Country singer Kane Brown has spoken openly about facing racial prejudice within the industry. He revealed that early in his career, some songwriters refused to collaborate with him because of his skin color.

“There was one writer who refused to work with me because I’m Black,” Brown shared during the Impaulsive podcast, as reported by American Songwriter. “I confronted him, and he apologized to me at the bar afterward.”

While these dismissals didn’t stop Brown from succeeding, they impacted others in the industry. Brown has also refused to work with certain writers who made discriminatory comments, especially after he gained fame.

“Another prominent songwriter with about 30 number-one hits told me the same thing,” Brown recalled. “He apologized once we became successful, and I told him I was no longer interested in working with him.”

Brown’s willingness to discuss racism in country music isn’t new. He previously voiced concerns about discrimination due to his race in a 2022 interview, emphasizing that his success on stage and radio indicates progress in the genre.

Overcoming Life’s Hardships

Beyond industry challenges, Brown has endured a difficult childhood. He opened up about abuse he suffered from various stepfathers, including a disturbing incident where he was forced to eat an entire pack of cigarettes.

“We were smoking behind the trailer, caught by the adults, and were made to eat the cigarettes,” he said on The Great Company podcast. “One stepdad shaved my head and put aftershave on it. I remember rubbing my head on the carpet as if I were a dog.”

Despite these hardships, Brown doesn’t harbor bitterness. Instead, he sees his difficult past as a source of strength, describing it as a part of what shaped him into who he is today.