Celebrity News April 09, 2013
Brad Paisley Defends ‘Accidental Racist’ Duet with LL Cool J
Country music star Brad Paisley is taking heat for the controversial song "Accidental Racist," a duet Paisley did with LL Cool J for Paisley's new album, “Wheelhouse.”
The song, which caused a social media uproar when it was released on Tuesday, is styled as a conversation between a white Southerner and a black New Yorker. Paisley sings, "[I'm] just a proud rebel son with an ol' can of worms/Lookin' like I got a lot to learn." LL Cool J, replies. "If you don't judge my do-rag … I won't judge your red flag/If you don't judge my gold chains … I'll forget the iron chains."
The country crooner, who is being criticized for glossing over the history of racism in the South, made an appearance on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” on Tuesday to explain the song.
Brad said, "I don't know if any of you noticed, but there is some racial tension here and there. I felt like when we were writing this song it wasn't necessarily up to the media … or talk radio or anything like that to deal with that anymore. I think it's music's turn to have the conversation."
Paisley also told Entertainment Weekly, "I just think art has a responsibility to lead the way. I don't know the answers, but I feel like asking the question is the first step, and we're asking the question in a big way… We don't solve anything, but it's two guys that believe in who they are and where they're from very honestly having a conversation and trying to reconcile."
