Six artists who successfully crossed over to country music

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As a gamer with a heart full of rhythm and a playlist that spans across genres, I’ve seen it all – from the Beatles to Beyoncé, from Kid Rock to K-pop. And yet, there’s something uniquely captivating about these artists who dared to venture into the vast expanse of country music.

Country music forms a unique world of its own, housing some of the most prominent and adored figures in American music history. Its allure spans widely and endures through time, making it no surprise that various artists strive to claim a portion of its success by blending country with other genres or undergoing a complete genre transformation.

It’s important to note that there have been numerous instances where attempts at blending genres haven’t worked out well in the past. For instance, Justin Timberlake managed to make a mark on music charts with his country/pop fusion album, titled “Man of the Woods,” which was released in 2018. However, this album is now generally viewed as a turning point, signaling a decline for the renowned “SexyBack” artist.

This list is far more positive, though. This is a compilation of pop and rock artists who leaned into their country obsession, and actually proved to be successful in the process.

The Byrds

In the ’60s, The Byrds stood out as the quintessential American band that blended folk and rock music seamlessly. For a while, they matched the Beatles’ popularity, thanks to hit singles like “Turn! Turn! Turn!” and “Mr. Tambourine Man.” However, the latter part of the ’60s was marked by conflicts within the group and changes in its members.

Introducing Gram Parsons! When he joined the band, their music took a new direction with the 1968 album “Sweetheart of the Rodeo.” This change didn’t sit well with all Byrds fans, but it was successful and is now recognized as one of the pioneering (and outstanding) examples of country rock.

Beyonce

Beyonce’s illustrious album phase, marked by her 2011 self-titled record, has allowed her to explore numerous musical styles. Her 2022 release, Renaissance, paid homage to dance music, but it was the 2024 album, Cowboy Carter, that garnered the most attention. Born in Texas, Beyonce fully immersed herself in the genre, securing collaborations with renowned artists such as Willie Nelson and Dolly Parton.

To put it simply, the genre change proved successful. The album “Cowboy Carter” was universally praised, and it garnered an astounding 11 nominations at the 67th Grammy Awards. Now, Beyoncé holds the title of the most nominated artist in Grammy history, and her expansive country magnum opus is what sealed this achievement.

Kid Rock

In the late ’80s and early ’90s, Kid Rock emerged as a rapper from Detroit. He achieved success in hip hop and nu metal genres, but it was his transition to country music that resulted in some of his most enduring hits. His 2001 album, aptly titled “Cocky,” produced the pop-country crossover sensation “Picture,” a collaboration with Sheryl Crow.

The album achieved a status of five times Platinum certification. Not surprisingly, Kid Rock has mainly continued along the path of country/Southern rock with albums such as “Kid Rock” (2003) and “Rock n Roll Jesus” (2007).

Post Malone

Beyond being another Texan artist, Post Malone initially found success in hip hop and R&B genres but later expanded his horizons by exploring various musical styles. However, his album F-1 Trillion, released in 2024, marked a significant departure from his previous work as he delved deeply into the country genre. Notably, he collaborated with artists such as Luke Combs and Morgan Wallen to create a series of appealing ballads.

Similar to Beyonce, who collaborated with him in the movie Cowboy Carter, Malone’s change in style proved to be a hit. His album F-1 Trillion debuted at the top of the Billboard 200 chart and generated the number one single “I Had Some Help” on the Billboard Hot 100.

Darius Rucker

In 1994, Darius Rucker was leading the most popular rock band, Hootie & the Blowfish. Their first album took over the globe, selling an astounding 20 million copies globally. However, the band faded away a few years afterwards. Subsequently, Rucker opted to transform his career and emerged as a successful country singer.

Rucker’s unique style of singing suited the genre perfectly. His 2008 single “Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It” was the first solo song by a Black artist to reach number one on the country charts since ’83, and he continued this success with three more hits that made his album Learn to Live go Platinum.

Lady Gaga

Over the course of her career, Lady Gaga has donned a variety of musical styles that can sometimes be challenging to follow. For instance, she temporarily shifted away from her signature art-pop sound towards a more straightforward, country-influenced style, which proved quite successful. Her 2016 album, “Joanne,” reached the top of the Billboard 200 chart and generated hits such as “Perfect Illusion” and “Million Reasons,” both of which received critical acclaim.

Gaga mixed things up again on her subsequent album, “Chromatica” (2020), which blended dance and pop styles, yet many country music enthusiasts continue to hold a fond spot in their hearts for “Joanne,” and Gaga’s skillful exploration into that genre.

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2024-12-06 23:30