Top 10 Black Country Singers of All Time

Country music has been a genre often defined by its traditional sound for decades. However, a new wave of talented Black artists pushes boundaries and infuses the genre with fresh perspectives and musical blends. From R&B to soul, these singers are leaving their mark and expanding the definition of what country music can be. They represent the diversity of narratives and experiences within the Black community. This list highlights the top 10 black country singers who have influenced country music in the USA to be what it is today.

10 Black Country Singers

1: Kane Brown

Born: 21 October 1993, Chattanooga, Tennessee, United States

Genre: EDM and Country

Best known for: Thank God, Famous Friends, One Thing Right, Chapter 1 And Kane Brown, One Mississippi and Heaven

Awards/Accreditations:

• Video of the Year for “Worldwide Beautiful” by Academy of Country Music Awards
• Favorite Country Song for “Heaven: by American Music Awards
• Favorite Country Album for “Kane Brown” by American Music Awards
• Video of the Year for “CMT Performance of the Year” by CMT Music Awards

Kane Brown rose to fame through his viral videos on social media platforms like Facebook and YouTube. He blends country and R&B music and creates chart-topping hits every year.

Kane Brown collaborated with John Legend, Camil Cabello, Khalid, and Marshmello, among other big names in the industry. His first two albums have gone double platinum and platinum, respectively. His modern influence on the country music industry puts him in the top 10 black country singers.

2: Jimmie Allen

Born: 18 June 1985, Milton, Delaware, United States

Genre: Country

Best known for: Best Shot, Good Times, Freedom Was A HIghway, and Make Me Want To

Awards/Accreditations:

• Country Music Association Award for New Artist of the Year
• New Male Artist of the Year at the 2021 ACM Awards
• New Artist of the Year at the CMA Awards

Jimmie Allen spent years working various jobs and performing at small venues before getting his big break on American Idol in 2017. During most of his initial years in Nashville, he experienced poverty and often lived out of his car.

Jimmie Allen collaborated with Brad Paisley, Noah Cyrus, Abby Anderson, Nelly, and Noah Schnacky to create his music. His unique storytelling and fusion of country and R&B sounds propelled him to success, making him among the top 10 black country singers.

3: Allison Russell

Born: Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Genre: Americana, folk

Best known for: Demons, Outside Child, and The Returner

Awards/Accreditations:

• Best American Roots Performance for “Eve was Black” by Grammy Awards
• International Artist of the Year by UK Americana Music Awards
• International Album of the Year for “Outside Child” by UK Americana Music Awards

Personal struggles and resilience marked Allison Russell’s journey. After overcoming abuse and addiction, she found solace in music and storytelling. Eventually, she released her critically acclaimed album “Outside Child” and gained recognition for her powerful songwriting and vocals.

Russell was a member of many bands like ” Po’ Girl,” ” Fear of Drinking,” “Birds of Chicago,” “Our Native Daughters,” and “Sisters of the Strawberry Moon” before launching her solo career. Russell has received eight Grammy nominations, with one win for “Eve Was Black.”

4: Amythyst Kiah

Born: 11 December 1986, Chattanooga, Tennessee, United States

Genre: Folk, old-time music, Alt-rock, Rock blues, Alt-country, Roots rock, and Americana

Best known for: In the Pines, Black Myself, Firewater, and Hangover Blues

Awards/Accreditations: Song of the Year for ” Black Myself” by Folk Alliance International Awards

Amythyst Kiah is known for her powerful vocals and a blend of genres in her music. She started by busking on the streets and has earned herself a Grammy Award Nomination. She has released two solo albums and one EP.

Kiah graduated from East Tennessee State University, completing the Bluegrass, Old Time, and Country Music Studies program and joining the school’s marquee old-time band. She has found her place in the ever-evolving world of modern country American music and is one of the top 10 black country singers of all time.

5: Brittney Spencer

Born: 8 September 1988 (age 35 years), Baltimore, Maryland, United States

Genre: Dance/Electronic, Pop, Country

Best known for: Sober & Skinny, Highway Unicorn (Road to Love), Lonely at Night

Brittney Spencer initially pursued a career in professional basketball before turning her attention to music. She sprung to popularity with her cover of a song by the Highwomen, which went viral on Twitter.

Brittney Spencer developed an interest in music from singing in the church. She began by singing background vocals for R&B and gospel artists, including Jason Nelson. In February 2013, Spencer moved to Nashville, Tennessee, to pursue country music full-time. She credits Beyoncé, Ray Charles, Miranda Lambert, and Jazmine Sullivan as influences on her artistry and is considered one of the top 10 black country singers.

6: Shy Carter

Born: 21 August 1984, Memphis, Tennessee, United States

Genre: Pop, R&B, country

Best known for: Beer with My Friends, Good Love, How Did You Sleep, Bring It Back, And Wild

Awards/Accreditations:

• His song “Bring it Back” reached the Top 40 of Billboard’s Rhythmic chart.
• He was featured on Latin artist Gloria Trevi’s #1 song “Habla Blah Blah.”

Shy Carter is a songwriter, record producer, rapper, and singer. He has collaborated with big artists in the industry, such as Meghan Trainor, Charlie Puth, Tim McGraw, Keith Urban, and Kane Brown.

Carter co-wrote Charlie Puth’s double platinum hit “One Call Away.” He has also worked with Faith Hill, Ashanti, and Chingy. He grew up in Atlanta but moved to Memphis, influencing his country music. His multidisciplinary involvement in the industry has influenced listeners through his music and that of other artists, making him one of the top 10 black country singers.

7: Breland

Born: 18 July 1995 (age 28 years), Burlington Township, New Jersey, United States

Genre: Country rap, R&B, gospel, soul

Best known for: My Truck, Throw it Back, Praise the Lord, High Horse

Breland began his career as a professional songwriter and taught himself how to produce music on Pro Tools, Logic Pro, and FL Studio. He reached No. 26 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart after gaining popularity via social media. He has released two EPs, and his music has been streamed over 150 million times on Spotify.

Breland has collaborated with big names in the industry like Mickey Guyton, Keith Urban, Thomas Rhett, Jimmie Allen, Lady A, and Dierks Bentley. At such a young age, he established himself in cross-country music through collaborations and single hits, making him one of the top 10 black country singers.

8: Mickey Guyton

Born: 17 June 1983, Arlington, Texas, United States

Genre: R&B and Country

Best known for: Higher, Why Baby Why, Remember Her Name, Sister, and Love My Hair

Awards/Accreditations:

• First black female artist to be nominated in the country category for a Grammy Award

Mickey Guyton’s work includes social commentary and highlights black influence in her music. She released “Black Like Me” a week after the death of George Floyd, which was appreciated for being a personal ballad to the black community.

Guyton released her debut album “Remember Her Name,” partly inspired by Breonna Taylor. Her music uniquely brings important issues to the forefront and captivates listeners with her strong vocals and influential presence in mainstream country music. Her hold over country music in the USA makes her one of the top 10 black country singers.

9: Blanco Brown

Born: 24 March 1985, United States

Genre: Country rap, trap

Best known for: The Git Up, Just the Way, Ocean Skies, and Goalie Goalie

Awards/Accreditations:

• No. 41 on Emerging Artists by billboards
• Has over 300 million streams on Spotify

Blanco Brown has worked as a songwriter and producer in pop and hip-hop with acts including Fergie, Childish Gambino, Kane Brown, and Chris Brown, earning a Grammy nomination.

Brown got his break when “The Git Up” challenge went viral on YouTube after he posted a video with Lainey Wilson. The song was featured in over 130,000 videos on TikTok. It reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart. In 2020, Blanco Brown was involved in a motorcycle accident and is now fully recovered.

10: Willie Jones

Born: 23 September 1994, Shreveport, Louisiana, United States

Genre: Country

Best known for: Higher, Why Baby Why, Remember Her Name, Sister, and Love My Hair

Willie Jones was first noticed by the audience as a contestant on The X Factor. He is a graduate of Green Oaks Performing Arts Academy in Shreveport. He learned to sing in his church choir, appeared in musicals at school, and competed at age 17 on the second season of The X Factor.

Jones was also featured in the Netflix reality show “Chasing Cameron.” He was featured on Beyonce’s album “Cowboy Carter”. He has also toured with artists like Shawn Mendes, Michael Ray, and Logan Mize. His experience with such influential artists makes him one of the top 10 black country singers.