A US country sensation faces controversy as he strongly denies accusations that his new music video is an anti-Black Lives Matter anthem endorsing gun violence and vigilantism.
Jason Aldean’s song, “Try That In A Small Town,” recently faced criticism and was taken off air by Country Music Television shortly after its release. However, Aldean, 46, has swiftly refuted the allegations on Twitter, dismissing them as “meritless” and “dangerous.”
Fellow country star Sheryl Crow accused him of promoting violence, leading to a heated exchange of opinions on social media.
The video’s three-minute spectacle features provocative scenes of masked protesters, Molotov cocktails, and a burning American flag, alongside CCTV footage of robberies. Aldean’s lyrics, like “try that in a small town, see how far ya make it down the road,” have added fuel to the fire.
Critics noticed the video was filmed in front of a courthouse with a troubled past, where a white mob lynched a young black man in 1927. However, Aldean vehemently maintains that his song has no racial undertones and is instead a tribute to small-town values.
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He explained, “Try That in a Small Town” celebrates the tight-knit communities of his upbringing, where neighbors cared for one another, regardless of differences in background or beliefs.
The video’s removal from air by Country Music Television has heightened tensions, with Sheryl Crow voicing her disapproval, claiming that promoting violence goes against the essence of American and small-town values.
As the debate rages on, Aldean remains firm in his defense, insisting that his intention was never to divide but to cherish the essence of small-town life he holds dear.