| ChemEnhanced |
| quote: | When I was a kid growing up in the American Midwest, one of the reasons I got into electronic music was to escape the overpowering amount of country music that surrounded me everywhere I went. But now it seems that even electronic music isn’t safe from the maniacal cowboy tentacles of country music, as they slowly slither their way into clubs and dance festivals across America.
And it all started with Avicii.
When I first heard his country-influenced ‘Wake Me Up’, and more recently 'Hey Brother', I knew it had the potential for crossover success in the States, but even I wasn’t prepared for just how big it would become, eventually hitting the top 40 on at least six different Billboard charts. It was a rare feat for a European DJ in a country that hasn't fully embraced dance music like the rest of the world has.
As much as I was stunned by the success of ‘Wake Me Up,’ I assumed that it would be a singular event; a fluke hit, certainly not a harbinger of a new EDM/country hybrid genre. Because who the hell else would try it? Who would be so crass as to copy something so obviously one-of-a-kind and unique?
Sadly, that someone is Pitbull.
Never one to let a trend pass him by, Pitbull seemingly saw the success of ‘Wake Me Up’ as a sign that country EDM is a thing and has now unleashed ‘Timber,’ a twangy dance-rap nightmare (see below video). It’s an entirely unapologetic amalgamation of the worst of club and country music, so it will no doubt be a massive worldwide success that will trigger even more country/dance combos.
And the conglomeration of dance music and country isn’t just coming from the club scene. Nashville (America’s country capital) is getting into the act as well, injecting dance elements into many of its biggest mainstream country acts. And right now Big Kenny (one half of the tremendously horrible country act Big & Rich) is planning his own 'EDM festival' that he promises will combine the best of country and electronic music. If you want to know what his idea of the best of is, check out the dance remix of Big & Rich’s ‘Save A Horse, Ride A Cowboy’.
The most infuriating thing about all of it is that it’s all just one big cash grab. Country acts embracing dance music, DJs experimenting with country music; they’re both just doing it all for the money. In America, going country is a common tactic for creatively bankrupt and financially desperate artists to score a quick hit. Rock bands have done it, pop acts have done it and now dance acts are too. And it almost always works, because my fellow Americans are apparently suckers for the goddamn banjo.
So don't buy it. That is, unless you want to see Rednex make a comeback. |
I was talking about making Happy Hard Country ten years ago....Boot Scootin Boogie at 180 bpm would rock. |
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