Shania Twain's Powerful Plea for Country Music Inclusion
At Sunday's CMT Awards, where she was honored with the Equal Play Award, Shania Twain used her platform to champion a crucial cause: promoting equity and diversity in country music. The legendary singer-songwriter acknowledged that when she first penned her iconic anthem "Man! I Feel Like a Woman!", she had no idea it would become an empowering message for generations of women and marginalized communities.
Twain's acceptance speech reflected on the phrase's profound impact, noting how it has been adopted by diverse groups worldwide as a symbol of empowerment. The singer's words poured with emotion as she shared her vision of an inclusive country music industry: "I believe in an all-inclusive country music. We're family." This call to action was a scathing critique of the current industry standard, which Twain feels does injustice to emerging artists from underrepresented backgrounds.
As part of her commitment to change, Twain will be showcasing a diverse lineup on her upcoming "Queen of Me" tour this year, featuring artists like Lily Rose, Lindsay Ell, Hailey Whitters, and Mickey Guyton. By doing so, she aims to pave the way for greater representation in country music, ensuring that female, younger, and racial underrepresented voices receive equal play.
Twain's trailblazing legacy is evident as she continues to break barriers with her performances and advocacy work. When accepting the award, Twain performed an emotional acappella duet with The BoykinZ sisters, a testament to her ability to build bridges and foster connections across generations and genres. By standing on the shoulders of those who paved her own path, Twain aims to inspire a new generation of artists to follow in her footsteps, creating a more vibrant and inclusive country music landscape for all.
As Twain declared, "Together, let's ensure all our fellow artists get equal play regardless of gender, age or race." This rallying cry encapsulates the essence of her commitment to a fairer, more representative industry.
At Sunday's CMT Awards, where she was honored with the Equal Play Award, Shania Twain used her platform to champion a crucial cause: promoting equity and diversity in country music. The legendary singer-songwriter acknowledged that when she first penned her iconic anthem "Man! I Feel Like a Woman!", she had no idea it would become an empowering message for generations of women and marginalized communities.
Twain's acceptance speech reflected on the phrase's profound impact, noting how it has been adopted by diverse groups worldwide as a symbol of empowerment. The singer's words poured with emotion as she shared her vision of an inclusive country music industry: "I believe in an all-inclusive country music. We're family." This call to action was a scathing critique of the current industry standard, which Twain feels does injustice to emerging artists from underrepresented backgrounds.
As part of her commitment to change, Twain will be showcasing a diverse lineup on her upcoming "Queen of Me" tour this year, featuring artists like Lily Rose, Lindsay Ell, Hailey Whitters, and Mickey Guyton. By doing so, she aims to pave the way for greater representation in country music, ensuring that female, younger, and racial underrepresented voices receive equal play.
Twain's trailblazing legacy is evident as she continues to break barriers with her performances and advocacy work. When accepting the award, Twain performed an emotional acappella duet with The BoykinZ sisters, a testament to her ability to build bridges and foster connections across generations and genres. By standing on the shoulders of those who paved her own path, Twain aims to inspire a new generation of artists to follow in her footsteps, creating a more vibrant and inclusive country music landscape for all.
As Twain declared, "Together, let's ensure all our fellow artists get equal play regardless of gender, age or race." This rallying cry encapsulates the essence of her commitment to a fairer, more representative industry.