argued deserves to be embraced by the music industry again, more than three years after Wallen was caught on camera using a racial slur.
During an appearance on the “Rolling Stone Music Now” podcast Tuesday, July 2, Rucker, 58, was asked whether Wallen, 31, should be forgiven for his actions.
Rucker did not hesitate, saying, “Yeah, I do.”
“I think Morgan’s become a better person since that,” the Hootie & the Blowfish frontman 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 way.”
In February 2021, TMZ posted a video of Wallen using the n-word after a night out with friends. Wallen released a statement saying he was “embarrassed and sorry” and made a promise to “do better.”
Despite continued commercial success — Wallen’s song “Last Night” was No. 1 on Billboard’s Year-End Hot 100 in 2023 and his collaboration with , “I Had Some Help,” has been No. 1 on the Hot 100 for six consecutive weeks — the star still hasn’t been fully accepted back by the country music industry, at least according to Rucker.
“He’s not forgiven,” Rucker added. “Morgan is still not out for CMAs and ACMs. They can say what they want, but the fact that Morgan Wallen’s not up for Entertainer of the Year at those things is crazy.”
For the record, Wallen was nominated for Entertainer of the Year at the 59th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards in May, losing to . Wallen was also nominated for Male Male Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, Single of the Year and Music Event of the Year.
Wallen was also nominated for Entertainer of the Year at the 57th Annual Country Music Association Awards in November 2023, losing once again to Wilson.
“No one’s selling more tickets than Morgan,” Rucker boasted. “Maybe is right up there with him. They’re playing stadiums, man.”
Whatever the case, Rucker doesn’t expect his opinion on the matter to count for much.
“That’s society and what I think doesn’t matter,” he concluded. “People are going to make their own opinion and go with it. It is what it is.”
Wallen’s record has not been spotless since the racial slur controversy, either. In April, he was arrested for throwing a chair off the balcony of ’s bar in Nashville. In a statement released after the incident, Wallen said he was “not proud” of his behavior.
The “Cowgirls” singer was charged with three counts of reckless endangerment with a deadly weapon, and his next court date is scheduled for August 15.
