Darius Rucker has urged the country music world to forgive Morgan Wallen after he used a racial slur.
During an appearance on Rolling Stone’s Music Now podcast, the Hootie and the Blowfish vocalist said Wallen has grown since the 2021 incident, in which a video emerged of the country star saying the n-word.
“I think Morgan’s become a better person since that,” Rucker said. “I’ve known Morgan a long time. Since all that happened, Morgan’s tried to really better himself and become a better person and see the world in a much better, better way.”
After footage of him using the slur surfaced, Wallen said he was “embarrassed and sorry”. Responding to TMZ, who first aired the clips, he said: “I used an unacceptable and inappropriate racial slur that I wish I could take back.
“There are no excuses to use this type of language, ever. I want to sincerely apologise for using the word. I promise to do better.”
Despite having his music withdrawn from radio stations in the US and UK, Wallen is still a dominant force in country music, with ‘Dangerous: The Double Album’ going No. 1 only weeks after the incident. The ‘Last Night’ singer also went on to win 11 categories at the Billboard Music Awards last year.
Controversy has continued to follow Wallen, who was arrested in April for throwing a chair off a rooftop bar. Fox News reported he had been charged with three counts of reckless endangerment and one count of disorderly conduct.
I didn’t feel right publicly checking in until I made amends with some folks. I’ve touched base with Nashville law enforcement, my family, and the good people at Chief’s. I’m not proud of my behavior, and I accept responsibility.
— morgan wallen (@MorganWallen) April 20, 2024
Rucker also pointed out that Morgan was temporarily suspended from award shows after the video emerged, which he felt was unfair.
“He’s still not out for CMAs [Country Music Awards] and ACMs [Academy of Country Music Awards],” Rucker continued. “They can say what they want, but the fact that Morgan Wallen is not up for Entertainer of the Year and those things is crazy. No one’s selling more tickets than Morgan.”
Tonight (July 4) Wallen is set to headline this year’s BST Hyde Park in London, joined by Riley Green, Ernest and Ella Langley.