Shania Twain calls for equal play and more diversity in country music | CNN

Country Music Industry Under Fire for Lack of Diversity and Inclusion

Shania Twain used her acceptance speech at Sunday's CMT Awards to advocate for greater equity and diversity in the country music industry, a move that has resonated with fans and sparked conversations about the need for change. The legendary singer-songwriter received the Equal Play Award, an honor that acknowledges artists who have demonstrated a commitment to promoting inclusivity and equality in their work.

Twain's speech was a powerful reminder of the power of art to inspire social change. She recalled writing her iconic hit "Man! I Feel Like a Woman!" without realizing its impact on the music world, but now sees it as a symbol of empowerment for women around the globe. The phrase has been adopted by various communities and become a rallying cry for female empowerment.

Twain's message was clear: she believes country music should be an inclusive genre that celebrates diversity and promotes equality. She spoke passionately about her own experiences growing up in a genre with a rich history, but lamented the fact that the industry standards often do not reflect this inclusivity.

In recognition of this, Twain highlighted several diverse artists on her upcoming "Queen of Me" tour, including Lily Rose, Lindsay Ell, Hailey Whitters, Mickey Guyton, and others. She emphasized the importance of giving equal play to all artists, regardless of their background or identity.

Twain's commitment to change extends beyond her music career. She has also been using her platform to connect with emerging talent, such as The BoykinZ, a trio of sisters from an African American family who are making waves in country music. Her support for these artists is a testament to her dedication to promoting diversity and inclusion.

As Twain looks to the future, she is determined to be a trailblazer, using her influence to push for greater equity and representation in the country music industry. Her message echoes across genres and generations, inspiring fans to demand more from their favorite artists and the industry as a whole.
 
πŸ€” like seriously have you heard of most country songs they're all so white and boring... twain's right we need more diversity in that genre, it's been dominated by the same old faces for far too long 🎸
 
🀩 I'm so stoked to see Shania Twain speakin' up about this stuff! She's always been an icon for women in music, and now she's using her platform to bring attention to the lack of diversity in country music πŸŽΈπŸ’– It's like, we need more voices at the table, you know? Artists from different backgrounds and identities are gettin' left behind, and it's time for a change πŸ”₯ I love how she's highlightin' these talented artists on her tour, like Lily Rose and The BoykinZ 🎢 Their stories need to be told, and Twain is doin' just that. We should all be cheerin' her on, 'cause this is about creatin' a more inclusive music scene for everyone πŸŒˆπŸ’•
 
I'm still trying to understand why this isn't old news πŸ€”... like, 20 years ago wasn't Shania Twain already talking about this stuff? And what's with all these new "diverse" artists she's bringing on tour? Are we supposed to believe they're all just discovering country music now? πŸ™„ Sources on these artists would be nice. How many of them have actually released music before 2020? I'm not buying the whole " trailblazer" narrative without some more concrete evidence...
 
🀩 The CMT Awards just showed us that even in traditional genres like country, change is coming! I'm loving how Shania Twain used her platform to speak out against lack of diversity and inclusion. It's about time we see more faces from different backgrounds behind the mic. 🌎️ And it's so cool that she's using her tour to feature artists who are breaking down barriers in country music like The BoykinZ. It's a whole new era for country and I'm hyped to see what's next! πŸ’–
 
Ugh πŸ€·β€β™€οΈ, I'm not gonna sit here and pretend like I don't think Shania Twain is being a bit extra with this whole "diversity and inclusion" thing. I mean, she's trying to promote change, but it feels like she's also trying to sell us on her new tour 🎟️. I get what she's saying about not seeing the impact of her song "Man! I Feel Like a Woman!" back in the day, but let's be real, that song is still a total bop πŸ˜‚.

I'm all for giving more opportunities to diverse artists, but can we take it a step further? What about the fact that country music has been dominated by the same old faces and sounds for decades? Like, where were these talented artists from The BoykinZ 20 years ago? πŸ€” It's not like they just appeared out of nowhere.

I'm also worried that this whole movement is gonna become another trend that fades away after Twain's tour is over. I mean, what happens to the other artists who are trying to make a name for themselves in this industry? Are we just gonna ignore them because they're not as marketable or trendy? πŸ€·β€β™‚οΈ
 
I'm so done with the country music industry being a total snooze fest when it comes to diversity πŸ™„πŸ˜΄! Shania Twain is like, finally speaking truth to power and I am HERE FOR IT!!! 🀩 The fact that she's using her platform to highlight diverse artists on her tour is just, like, the icing on the cake πŸŽ‚. And can we talk about how powerful it was when she gave a shoutout to those talented sisters from The BoykinZ fam? They're killing the game and I'm so glad Twain is giving them the love they deserve πŸ’–! It's time for the industry to step up its game and reflect the world we live in 🌎. No more, "oh, country music is just about trucks and beer" nonsense πŸ™…β€β™‚οΈ. We need more artists like Shania Twain who are using their voice to amplify underrepresented voices πŸ’ͺ!
 
πŸ€” I mean, Shania Twain's speech was SO relatable! She's right, country music has always been kinda one-dimensional - all about cowboys and trucks, you know? But she's pushing for change and it's awesome to see an artist using their platform to advocate for diversity. Those new artists she's featuring on her tour are so talented and it's cool that Twain is giving them a chance.

I think we're living in a time where artists have the power to create real change, you know? Music has always been this incredible force for good - think about all the classics that've stood up for social justice. Shania Twain's speech was like a wake-up call for the industry - let's get more diverse and inclusive! And I love how she's not just stopping at music - she's using her platform to connect with new talent too.

It's so important to have role models who are willing to take risks and speak out for what they believe in. Twain's speech was like a breath of fresh air - it reminded me that we're all about equality and fairness, regardless of our background or identity. Can't wait to see more artists stepping up and using their influence to make a difference πŸ’–
 
πŸ™Œ I'm totally with Shania on this one! It's about time someone speaks up about the lack of diversity in country music 🎸. I mean, come on, it's 2025 and we're still not seeing enough women from different backgrounds and identities represented on stage and behind the scenes? πŸ€·β€β™€οΈ It's like, hello, that's what art is all about - breaking down barriers and celebrating our differences πŸ’–.

And let's be real, Shania's got some serious clout right now πŸ’β€β™€οΈ. She's not just talking the talk, she's walking the walk by bringing in diverse artists on her tour 🎟️. That's what I call leading by example πŸ™Œ. And it's not just about country music either - this is a movement that can inspire change across all genres and industries 🌈.

I love how she's connecting with emerging talent too πŸ”₯. That's the kind of mentorship and support we need to see more of in the industry πŸ’ͺ. Shania's got the power, let's use it to make some noise for inclusivity and diversity πŸ—£οΈ!
 
🀯 it's about time someone spoke up about this! I mean, Shania Twain is literally a legend and she's still making waves with her speech at those awards. It's crazy how country music has been so exclusive for so long. I'm all for giving equal play to artists from different backgrounds, you know? πŸŽ€πŸ’– especially when it comes to women and people of color. The fact that Lily Rose, Lindsay Ell, Hailey Whitters, Mickey Guyton are part of Twain's tour is a great start, but we need more. We need to see these artists getting the recognition they deserve, not just because of their talent, but because of who they are. 🌎πŸ’ͺ
 
🎸 I'm so down with Shania Twain's stance on this πŸ™Œ it's about time we see some real change in the country music scene. I mean, have you seen the lineup for her "Queen of Me" tour? 🀩 It's like she's throwing shade at all the traditionalists and saying "no more, girl!" πŸ’β€β™€οΈ And I love how she's using her platform to lift up newer artists who are bringing a fresh perspective. The BoykinZ is definitely someone I've been following and it's amazing to see them getting the recognition they deserve 🎢
 
The music industry always been an interesting reflection of society 🎡. I mean think about it - if Shania Twain's "Man! I Feel Like a Woman!" is now being used as a symbol of female empowerment, what does that say about where we're at? It's like we're still playing catch-up to the feminist movements of the 90s 😊. But hey, progress is progress, right?

The thing is, country music is an industry with deep roots 🌳, but if it wants to be inclusive and diverse, it needs to acknowledge its own biases and work towards change. It's not just about Twain using her platform to give a shoutout to some emerging artists - it's about creating systemic change.

I'd love to see more politicians getting involved in this conversation 🀝. We need people in power to recognize the impact that music has on our culture and society, and to use their influence to push for greater representation and equality. Until then, we'll just have to keep pushing from the sidelines πŸ’ͺ.
 
πŸŽΈπŸ‘―β€β™€οΈ Country music is like a big ol' tree 🌳 - it's got roots that go way back, but sometimes those roots can be kinda...stuck πŸ˜…. I mean, think about it: all these iconic country artists have been singing the same old songs for decades, and it's time to branch out 🌱! Shania Twain is like a breath of fresh air - she's not afraid to speak her mind πŸ’β€β™€οΈ and inspire change πŸ”₯.

Imagine a country music scene that's as diverse as a big ol' patchwork quilt πŸ§΅πŸ‘— - with artists from all walks of life, singing about their own experiences and stories 🎀. It's like, we've got our "Man! I Feel Like a Woman!" moments...but also our "Girl, You're on Fire" πŸ”₯ moments 🎸! Twain is the queen of that patchwork quilt πŸ‘‘, and we should totally be following her lead πŸ”„.

I drew a quick diagram to represent this idea:
```
+-----------------------+
| Country Music Scene |
+-----------------------+
|
| Stuck in tradition
v
+-----------------------+
| Need for Diversity |
| and Inclusion |
+-----------------------+
|
| Shania Twain's Patchwork Quilt πŸ§΅πŸ‘—
v
+-----------------------+
| More Artists, More Voices|
| Singing About Their Own |
| Experiences and Stories |
+-----------------------+
```
Anywayz, I think Twain is on to something πŸ’‘. Let's all just sit back, relax, and let the country music scene evolve into a more inclusive place 🌈🎢!
 
I'm not surprised. The country music scene has always been kinda stuck in the past πŸ€”. They need to shake off that old-school image and welcome some fresh faces 🌸. I mean, Shania Twain is speaking truth to power, and it's about time someone did πŸ’β€β™€οΈ. It's not just about giving equal play to diverse artists, but also about creating a more inclusive space for everyone who wants to contribute 🎀. The music industry should be reflecting the world we live in, not the other way around 🌎. I'm excited to see how this movement will unfold and what impact Shania Twain's "Queen of Me" tour will have 🎟️
 
omg I'm so proud of Shania Twain for speaking up about this!!! πŸ™Œ she's an icon not just for her music but also for being unapologetically herself. I love how she's using her platform to uplift other artists like Lily Rose and The BoykinZ, it's so inspiring to see her commitment to diversity and inclusion 🀩. country music needs more people like her who are willing to push boundaries and challenge the status quo πŸ’ͺ. let's keep supporting these trailblazers and cheering them on all the way!!! πŸ’•
 
Wow 🀩 Country music needs some serious diversity, ya know? I mean, it's been dominated by white folks for like, ever. Interesting how Shania Twain is using her platform to bring in some fresh faces, like Lily Rose and Hailey Whitters. It's about time someone spoke up and said, "Hey, we need more than just the same old sound." Can't wait to see who else she brings on board for that tour 🎸
 
πŸ™Œ Shania Twain's speech at the CMT Awards was SO inspiring! I mean, she's been in the game for ages and has finally found her voice on this issue. It's about time someone spoke up and said that country music shouldn't just be for white people anymore πŸŽΈπŸ‘€ The fact that she's giving a platform to artists like Lily Rose and Hailey Whitters is a huge deal. We need more of these conversations happening in the music industry, especially when it comes to representation. It's not just about diversity, it's also about inclusivity - making sure everyone feels welcome and included in the genre πŸŒˆπŸ’–
 
🀝 Country music is all about storytelling, but you can't tell the stories of everyone if they're not around! I feel like Shania Twain's acceptance speech was long overdue, but it's awesome she's finally using her platform to make some noise about diversity and inclusion 🎢. I mean, who doesn't want to see more artists like Lily Rose or The BoykinZ getting the spotlight? It's all about representation, right? And Shania's got a point - country music is supposed to be for everyone, not just a select few 🀝. Now, let's see if she can actually make some changes happen on tour and beyond πŸŽ‰.
 
🌈 I think its super cool that Shania Twain is speaking up about this issue 🀝, especially since she's been able to use her platform for so long πŸ’ͺ. It makes sense that she'd want to see more diversity in country music - the genre has already got a rich history, but its still not always reflective of that 🌎. I love that she highlighted those up-and-coming artists like The BoykinZ, they're going to bring some amazing energy to her tour πŸŽ‰! It's time for country music to step up and be more inclusive - Shania's got the right idea πŸ’–
 
Back
Top