On Thursday, Nashville Briefing released their list of 25 Artists to Watch (sponsored by ASCAP).

Certainly, there are many talented artists on the list. I’ve even had the opportunity to catch a few of them live over the years. So, let it be known that what I am about to say is not a reflection on anybody’s talent or dedication to their craft. It ain’t easy out here for any independent artist, and it is not my intention to dismiss their achievements.

However, one glance at the graphic was all it took to notice that all of the featured artists seem to project a certain, *ahem*… image that Nashville has long been accused of favoring. (And I’m saying this as a straight white dude who lifts weights, watches wrestling, and listens to Creed!)

I didn’t want to jump to conclusions. So, I did what any Millennial internet veteran would do…

I went to the comment section to see if I was the only one to notice.

Once there, I could see that I wasn’t alone. Many observers pointed to a stunning lack of diversity on this year’s list, leaving an array of comments like these…

“Definitely lacking the diversity of the true Music City”

“Y’all couldn’t find any POC??”

“No kind of diversity. Doesn’t even surprise me at all”

“Couldn’t even fake a little inclusivity 😂😭 genuinely sad. No shade to the winners themselves”

See the post for yourself, and draw your own conclusions. Then, meet me after the jump…

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I’ve lived in Nashville for nearly 8 years. I’ve explored every corner of this city, many times over. There are as many cultures and perspectives here as almost any other major city in the United States. If there is a genre of music (or art) you love, you can find it here.

The major gripe I have about this city – aside from our steadily-worsening traffic and infrastructure issues – is that those voices are silenced when Nashville bourgeoisie project their desired image of our city to the world. Rarely do tourists come to town with any knowledge of historic Jefferson Street, or the fact that it was the Fisk Jubilee singers – and not country music itself – that earned Nashville the nickname “Music City” when they performed for Queen Victoria on an 1873 tour of Great Britain.

East Nashville – the eclectic creative hub where I proudly reside – is merely reduced to a “cute” neighborhood which exists to give tourists a break from the madness of Lower Broadway. Meanwhile, so much art, culture, and local business flies under the radar, while those same tourists flock back across the Cumberland River to feed the machine after sunset.

Shoot. I’ll do you one better…

I was in the pit taking photos during Nashville’s Big Bash on New Year’s Eve 2023. The ‘50 Years of Nashville Hip Hop’ portion of the celebration – a prime opportunity to show the world that we are more than just trucks ‘n beer – wasn’t even included on the live CBS broadcast. And, to make matters worse, a guest DJ set that could have been a career-defining opportunity for an up-and-coming local artist was instead granted to… then-newly-elected mayor Freddie O’Connell?!

(Seriously, though. Stick to fixing the roads, Freddie. Our tires will thank you.)

We have brilliant performances happening all over this city, spanning rock, pop, hip hop, soul, R&B, jazz, blues, and more. Musicians of any genre, location, or discipline are told that, if they want to make it big in the industry, they need to do it here. Countless artists have left their old lives behind – missing birthdays, weddings, and even funerals back home – in pursuit of that dream… only to find that, when push comes to shove, meaningful opportunities have become limited for anyone unwilling to put on their best cowboy cosplay and join the party.

It’s a shame, too, because that diversity – and the art it inspires – has created so many beautiful pockets of community throughout Nashville. Those pockets define what it truly means to be a Nashvillian, and they deserve a chance to shine.

I’m not arguing that country music does not have its place in our city’s history and culture. It most certainly does. However, I will argue all day that it has been whitewashed and commercialized beyond recognition, and the resulting caricature robs locals and tourists alike of the opportunity to embrace all that Nashville is and could be, underneath the glittery veneer of neon lights, cowboy boots, and pedal taverns.

If Nashville envisions itself growing into a global city – one which sees music as essential to its identity – it absolutely must do more to promote itself as a place of character and inclusion. Renowned melting pots like New York, Toronto, and London remain creative epicenters for their respective abilities to build bridges between cultures and perspectives. Creatives from all over the world – and of any discipline – flock to these cities. A lot of times, they stay there, because those cities never stop offering something new. Those places certainly experience their ups and downs, but they always seem to persevere – because when the going gets tough, the people dig deep and remember that they’re a part of something special.

We can do that, too. And, since we’re “Music City,” how about those of us within the greater music ecosystem take the lead? Let’s work to uplift independent artists and champion their stories – regardless of where they’ve originated, or what genre of music they make.

For so long, Nashville artists have been expected by the establishment to fit a certain “mold” if they ever want to succeed here.

For the good of Nashville and everyone in it, it’s time to break the mold.