Country music star Jason Aldean defended his new song and video after CMT pulled it off the air on Tuesday, saying his new hit “Try That in a Small Town” has sparked a frenzy among liberals who described it as “pro-lynching.”
Aldean, 46, released the weaponized, anti-woke video on Friday, criticizing left-wing opponents for antics that wouldn’t fly in the South.
Both the text and video, which feature clips of BLM protesters trashing cities with rules that endorse traditional values and “take care of our own,” have sparked outrage online.
Aldean addressed his detractors in an Instagram story on Tuesday, denying any anti-black or pro-lynching sentiment, pointing out that people have only now discovered it, two months after it was released.
“In the last 24 hours I’ve been accused of putting out a pro-lynching song (one that’s been out since May) and I’ve been compared that I (direct quote) wasn’t too happy with the nationwide BLM protests,” He wrote. “These references are not only worthless, they are also dangerous.”
Country music star Jason Aldean speaks out after sparking controversy with his new hit “Try That in a Small Town,” which slammed leftist detractors and caused liberals on Twitter to call it “pro-lynching”
“There isn’t a single lyric in the song that references or hints at race – and there isn’t a single video clip that isn’t actual news footage – and while I can try to respect others to have their own interpretation of a song with music – this one goes too far,” he added.
He added that he was at the Route 91 Las Vegas Harvest Festival – where 61 people died in the deadliest mass shooting in US history – and said that “NO ONE, including me, wants to see meaningless headlines or families torn apart. “
Aldean tried to explain what he thought the song represented and that it wasn’t necessarily a political message.
“Try that in a small town” to me refers to the sense of community I had growing up, where we took care of our neighbors regardless of differences in background or creed. Because they were our neighbors, and that was beyond all differences.’
He said the people understood knew him as a proud pro-Trump conservative, but he wanted to share a message of unity.
“My political views have never been something I’ve hid from, and I know many of us in this country disagree on how we can return to a sense of normalcy where we go at least a day without a headline that keeps us awake at night. But the desire for it – that’s what this song is about,” he ended.
This has been confirmed by a CMT spokesperson Billboard the video had been pulled from the airwaves. Aldean has not commented on the network’s decision.
Aldean opens the song: “Call a cop, spit in his face. Stomp on the flag and light it. Yeah, do you think you’re tough? Try that in a small town.’
The music video was met with backlash from some who felt the lyrics were dog whistles designed to offend, while others saw it as a commentary on America’s sharp divisions.
In the music video, Aldean sings in front of a large white estate and an American flag intertwined with clips from BLM protests
The country music star used footage from Black Lives Matter riots for the divisive song
Aldean targeted awakened activists for behaving “a fool,” notably condemning the series of BLM protests that erupted across America following the 2020 police killing of George Floyd.
The riots resulted in billions of dollars in damage and led to questions about why such a large number of people were willing to break the law, with Aldean feeling the unrest was due to people not being “raised properly.”
“Sucker punch someone on a sidewalk, carjack an old lady at a red light,” he sings. “Pull a gun on the liquor store owner — you think it’s cool, well, go crazy.
‘Look how far you get on the road. We take care of ourselves around here. If you cross that line it won’t be long before you find out – I advise you not to try that in a small town.’
One line caused particular offense among some gun-hating listeners, where Aldean sang, “I’ve got a gun my grandpa gave me, they say they’re gonna collect one day… well that s*** can be in the air fly city, good luck.’
While some consider any reference to guns to be “crossing the line,” Aldean’s gun lyrics were also seen as insensitive given his connection to the deadly Las Vegas mass shooting.
The 46-year-old closed the song with a tribute to the values of the South, noting that small towns are “full of good old boys, standing on their feet.”
“If you’re looking for a fight, try it in a small town.”
The song received mixed reviews, with liberal listeners finding Aldean’s touts of Southern standards and anti-riots to be far-right insults, while fans found it hard to disagree with traditional values.
When Aldean did not show footage of BLM protests, he was seen in the divisive video clip singing in front of a large white building
The song repeatedly referenced BLM protests. Pictured: NYPD officers block the entrance to the Manhattan Bridge as protests erupt in New York City on June 2, 2020
A Pittsburgh Police Department vehicle burns down during a march in Pittsburgh, Saturday, May 30, 2020
Aldean took to Twitter to celebrate the release of his new song to the public on July 14
After the song was released on Friday, Aldean said on Twitter that the hit was inspired by small towns’ “unspoken rule” of “we all support each other and we look out for each other.”
“It feels like somewhere along the way that sense of community and respect has been lost. Deep down, we’re all ready to get back to that,” he added.
“I hope my new music video lets you all know you’re not the only one who feels this way.”
Fans of the hitmaker were quick to praise the conservative-tinged tune, with one calling it “absolutely epic.”
“(Aldean) rips into the leftist riots, soft on city crime control, gun control and other leftist degradation,” they added.
“You should try to be offended by this,” added another, with fans of the country music star agreeing that his focus on traditional values should be earned.
However, those on the other side of the aisle were quick to condemn Aldean for his Republican views. In 2021, the singer also caused scandal after dressing his young daughters in anti-Joe Biden merchandise.
A disgruntled ex-fan said, “Wow. I really liked his music, but when I found out how conservative he was, that was it.’
Another accused Aldean of being disingenuous, as the singer’s $100 million net worth doesn’t qualify him to sing about life in a small town.
“The nice thing about Jason Aldean is that he recently left a house with a bowling alley, an outdoor kitchen and a giant fountain for an even more beautiful home in the heart of Nashville,” they said.
“So miss me with that nonsense about your little town full of good boys.”