Is country the new hip hop?

For decades, hip hop has been the most successful genre on the charts. Then, in 2023, a shift occurred. For the first time, the country songs outnumbered hip hop songs on the year end charts. Last year, country’s boom was led by hyper-partisan hits like Jason Aldean’s “Try That In A Small Town� and Oliver Anthony’s “Rich Men North of Richmond.� In 2024, country has taken a left turn. Beyoncé’s genre-busting album Cowboy Carter pushed the limits of what country can sound like, and who can make it. Two of her collaborators have since charted #1 hits: Shaboozey with “A Bar Song (Tipsy)� and Post Malone with “I Had Some Help� featuring Morgan Wallen. Country music is growing, and its sound is changing. Will it replace hip hop for good? 

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