Country music star Morgan Wallen took home three awards at the Billboard Music Awards (BBMA), despite cancellation over a security camera tape recording of him uttering a racial slur. Not only was Wallen banned from attending BBMA – he was banned from the Academy of Country Music Awards (ACM) and Country Music Awards (CMA). This, on top of his current indefinite suspension by his record label and removal from streaming playlists.
Wallen took home awards for Top Country Album, Top Country Artist, and Top Country Male Artist. Although Wallen could’ve potentially won more – he received six nominations for his work. In order to earn his awards, Wallen topped chart performance from other leading artists: Gabby Barrett, Kane Brown, Luke Combs, Sam Hunt, Chris Stapleton, and Carrie Underwood.
Representatives with Dick Clark Productions (DCP), the production company behind BBMA, accompanied news of Wallen’s wins with a statement.
“Morgan Wallen is a finalist this year based on charting. As his recent conduct does not align with our core values, we will not be including him on the show in any capacity (performing, presenting, accepting),” read the statement. “It is heartening and encouraging to hear that Morgan is taking steps in his anti-racist journey and starting to do some meaningful work. We plan to evaluate his progress and will consider his participation in future shows.”
DCP included a link to the core values of their parent media company, MRC.
MRC is an anti-racist organization committed to diversity, equity and inclusion in our company, on our platforms, in our products and with our partners. As an entertainment company we believe the best stories are told through diverse and authentic voices and representation in front of and behind the camera. We expect all our our employees, companies we control and contractual workers to be held accountable to the following: to oppose discrimination, harassment, or racism of any kind[;] to treat everyone with dignity and respect[;] to recognize and interrupt bias within themselves and others[;] to speak up against actions that threaten the physical and psychological safety of others[;] to create space for diversity of thoughts, ideas, and feelings to act as tools for innovation and creativity. Our differences make us a vibrant and successful company and we strongly encourage our partners to adhere to our stated values as part of our expectations of doing business with one another.
DCP also produces the ACM, American Music Awards (AMA), and Golden Globe Awards.
Wallen has issued several apologies since the incident occurred in January.
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Corinne Murdock is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and the Star News Network. Follow her latest on Twitter or email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Morgan Wallen” by Morgan Wallen.
First off, the guy talks like he grew up in North Nashville. So I would bet money he wasn’t being “Racist” he was trying to be “Cool”. Libs want to tells us how great Black Culture is, but when you try to emulate it, all of the sudden you’re a “Racist”. Kudos on the wins, but you should have come out harder in defending yourself.
Country, sure ain’t country anymore, it’s all Demonrat Fascism. BTW, I still don’t know who this guy is, as country music died a decade or two back.