Top Black Country Singers You Need to Know

While Black musicians played a vital role in the origins of country music, relatively few African American artists continue to perform in the genre today.

In honor of Black History Month, we recognize Black country singers—past, present and emerging—who have shaped the genre and expanded its boundaries.

13. Rissi Palmer

Years active: 2007–present

Best known for: “Country Girl”

Bottom Line: Rissi Palmer

Born in Pittsburgh and raised in St. Louis, Rissi Palmer secured a publishing and record deal by age 19. She has performed at prestigious venues including the White House, Lincoln Center and the Grand Ole Opry, and has shared bills with artists such as Taylor Swift and the Eagles. In August 2020 she launched the Color Me Country radio channel on Apple Music and serves as a special correspondent for CMT’s Hot 20 Countdown.

In Their Own Words: Rissi Palmer

“I totally look forward to the day when it’s, ‘So Rissi, tell me about the album’ as opposed to ‘You’re black. Tell me how that feels,’” Palmer said in an early interview, underscoring her desire to be recognized first and foremost for her music.

12. Linda Martell

Years active: 1962–2011

Best known for: “Color Him Father,” “Before The Next Teardrop Falls”

Bottom Line: Linda Martell

Linda Martell made history as one of the first commercially successful Black female country artists and the first Black woman to perform at the Grand Ole Opry. A South Carolina native, she began singing R&B with a family group before embracing country music. Signed to Plantation Records in 1969, her single “Color Him Father” reached the Billboard charts. Martell released several albums, appeared on variety programs such as Hee Haw and performed at the Opry, but disputes with her management led to the end of her Nashville contract and a return to smaller venues. Later in life she received recognition for her pioneering role, including CMT’s Equal Play Award in 2021.

In Their Own Words: Linda Martell

“Country music tells a story. When you choose a song and you can feel it, that’s what made me feel great about what I was singing,” Martell said in an interview, reflecting on why country resonated with her.

11. Stoney Edwards

Years active: 1970–1992

Best known for: “She’s My Rock,” “Hank and Lefty Raised My Country Soul”

Bottom Line: Stoney Edwards

Born in Seminole County, Oklahoma, Stoney Edwards overcame a career-interrupting injury to pursue music professionally in the 1970s. Signed to Capitol Records, he released five albums and built a devoted following. His song “She’s My Rock” became his biggest hit and was also recorded successfully by others. In 1976 he released the politically charged single “Blackbird (Hold Your Head High),” which faced resistance from radio. Edwards continued to record and perform until health issues curtailed his career; he passed away in 1997.

In Their Own Words: Stoney Edwards

Edwards once reflected on country music’s enduring nature and his own hands-on musicianship: “Country music will always be country music, whether we continue playing it or not; it will never die. History is country music … I play guitar and piano and banjo.”

10. Kane Brown

Years active: 2014–present

Best known for: “What Ifs,” “Used to Love You Sober”

Bottom Line: Kane Brown

Kane Brown rose to prominence via social media, releasing his debut EP Closer in 2015 and signing with RCA Nashville the following year. His single “What Ifs” dominated multiple Billboard country charts simultaneously, and his second album, Experiment, topped the Billboard 200 in 2018. Brown has continued to diversify his career—launching his own label, 1021 Entertainment—and became the first Black artist to win ACM Video of the Year for “Worldwide Beautiful.”

In Their Own Words: Kane Brown

“I feel super blessed to not have had, you know, just the best life growing up as a kid because I feel like if I did — and then now I’m at where I’m at today, I wouldn’t have the heart that I do to reach out to other people,” Brown said, describing how his background shaped his perspective and commitment to giving back.

9. Jimmie Allen

Years active: 2017–present

Best known for: “Best Shot,” “Make Me Want To”

Bottom Line: Jimmie Allen

Jimmie Allen began his career attempting to break through on American Idol and later earned a publishing deal that led to a record contract with Stoney Creek in 2018. His debut single “Best Shot” quickly rose on radio and reached No. 1 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart, followed by another No. 1, “Make Me Want To.” Allen won New Male Artist of the Year at the 2021 ACM Awards and New Artist of the Year at the 2021 CMA Awards.

In Their Own Words: Jimmie Allen

“My biggest goal is continuing to motivate people. That’s my goal for every show. I want people to leave a Jimmie Allen concert becoming better people than they were when they walked in,” he has said, emphasizing his focus on inspiration and uplift.

8. Cleve Francis

Years active: 1990–present

Best known for: “You Do My Heart Good”

Bottom Line: Cleve Francis

Cleve Francis pursued dual careers in medicine and music. After earning a medical degree and practicing as a cardiologist, he self-released albums and later recorded for Liberty, scoring several charting singles in the early 1990s. He returned to cardiology in Northern Virginia in 1994 while continuing to perform regularly, maintaining a presence in the live music scene.

In Their Own Words: Cleve Francis

Francis has commented on country music’s persistent divisions: “That’s still one of the problems with country music, it’s basically still segregated… It’s unfortunate because the music did come from both Black and white cultures.”

7. Cowboy Troy

Years active: 1999–present

Best known for: “I Play Chicken With the Train”

Bottom Line: Cowboy Troy

Cowboy Troy blends country and rap in a style he calls “hick-hop.” His 2005 debut Loco Motive brought national attention and sustained a recording and touring career. He has released multiple albums and EPs, charted on Billboard and worked in TV as a co-host. His work showcases a hybrid approach that pushes genre boundaries while celebrating country roots.

In Their Own Words: Cowboy Troy

“They [racists] want me to stop, but I’m making music that I wanted to make. I’m pursuing the dream that I’ve had since I was a 13-year-old kid,” he has said, speaking to the challenges he’s faced and his determination to continue creating.

6. Trini Triggs

Years active: 1998–present

Best known for: “Straight Tequila,” “Horse to Mexico”

Bottom Line: Trini Triggs

Triggs released a self-titled album in 1997 on MCG/Curb and had multiple singles on the Billboard Hot Country charts. After further chart activity in 2004, he moved away from major-label recording and has since worked as a radio DJ and morning-show host on 94.9 The River in Natchitoches, Louisiana, while continuing to perform.

In Their Own Words: Trini Triggs

“I’ve been treated well by radio and media. I just need those songs that will open the door for me… They just need the right chance and the right songs,” Triggs said, highlighting how opportunity and material shape careers.

5. Petrella

Years active: 1988–present

Best known for: “This Isn’t Goodbye,” “I Found Somebody”

Bottom Line: Petrella

Petrella Ann Bonner, often called “the first lady of country soul,” was named Songwriter of the Year in 1994 by the Tennessee Songwriter’s Association. She has released multiple albums and placed several singles on country charts. Her highest-charting single was “I Found Somebody,” written by Glenn Frey.

In Their Own Words: Petrella

“There aren’t a lot of women of color in the business. I celebrate that, but I do wonder why I don’t see more people like me. I love country music, and that’s what I grew up on,” Petrella has said, expressing both pride and confusion about the industry’s lack of representation.

4. Charley Crockett

Years active: 2005–present

Best known for: “Get Up Outta Texas,” “Trinity River”

Bottom Line: Charley Crockett

Charley Crockett blends blues, country and Americana across a prolific recording career. Since 2015 he has released numerous albums and, after recovering from open-heart surgery, returned to record acclaimed releases such as The Valley and Welcome to Hard Times. His work draws deeply from traditional roots while remaining contemporary and personal.

In Their Own Words: Charley Crockett

“There is a bigger audience and I have a bigger team around me, but it is all built out of playing from a guitar case—learning how to stand behind my guitar, learning how to make money out of the case,” Crockett has said, describing the grassroots path that shaped his career.

3. Mickey Guyton

Years active: 2011–present

Best known for: “Black Like Me”

Bottom Line: Mickey Guyton

Mickey Guyton merges contemporary country with R&B influences. After signing with Capitol Records Nashville in 2015, she released her debut single “Better Than You Left Me,” which earned an ACM nomination. Her 2020 single “Black Like Me,” a candid account of her experiences as a Black woman in country music, earned her a Grammy nomination. Her debut full-length album, Remember Her Name, was released in 2021, further establishing her voice in the genre.

In Their Own Words: Mickey Guyton

Reflecting on challenges she faced early in her career, Guyton said: “I know people believed in me, but I don’t think they were sure of me… Choosing my own songs wasn’t available to me. Any time I turned in a song, it was dissected more than others’… There’s nobody else like me in this space.”

2. Darius Rucker

Years active: 1986–present

Best known for: “Wagon Wheel,” “If I Told You”

Bottom Line: Darius Rucker

Darius Rucker first achieved fame as the frontman of Hootie & the Blowfish and later transitioned into a successful solo country career. His 2008 single “Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It” reached No. 1 on Billboard, making him the first Black artist to top the country charts since Charley Pride in 1988. Since then Rucker has continued to release charting singles and award-winning albums, earning broad recognition within country music.

In Their Own Words: Darius Rucker

“I’m a kid who grew up in an all-African American neighborhood and got into schools and aspired to just be me, and didn’t worry about labels or anything. Just wanted to be a success at what I did,” Rucker has said, summarizing his grounded approach to his career.

1. Charley Pride

Years active: 1952–2020

Best known for: “Just Between You and Me,” “All I Have to Offer You (Is Me),” “It’s Gonna Take a Little Bit Longer,” “She’s Too Good to Be True,” “A Shoulder to Cry On,” “Then Who Am I,” “Don’t Fight the Feelings of Love,” “Amazing Love,” and “Hope You’re Feelin’ Me (Like I’m Feelin’ You)”

Bottom Line: Charley Pride

Charley Pride rose from the Negro American League and a dream of professional baseball to become the first African American superstar in country music. He won a Grammy early in his career, scored his first No. 1 hit in 1969 and amassed nearly 40 No. 1 singles over subsequent decades. Several of his albums reached platinum status, and he is widely regarded as one of country music’s best-selling and most influential artists. Pride passed away from complications related to COVID-19 on December 12, 2020.

In Their Own Words: Charley Pride

“What we don’t need in country music is divisiveness, public criticism of each other and some arbitrary judgment of what belongs and what doesn’t,” Pride said, advocating for unity and inclusion within the genre.