Entertainment
Morgan Wallen disqualified from some CMA Awards categories following racial slur
Morgan Wallen has been disqualified from some categories at the 2021 CMA Awards after he became embroiled in a racial slur controversy.
The country star, 27, took a break from music last month when he announced he would not be performing any concerts this summer after a video surfaced in February of him using the N-word.
Musician Morgan issued a statement after the clip circulated but CMA bosses decided not to recognise him in certain categories at the ceremony in November.
Any category where the award would go to Morgan’s collaborators, in addition to himself, he can be nominated for, but he is disqualified from solo categories.
A CMA representative said in a statement: ‘The board of directors voted to amend Morgan Wallen’s 2021 CMA Awards eligibility: He will be eligible in categories that honour artistic works (single, song, album, musical event, and music video of the year categories), so as not to limit opportunity for other credited collaborators.
‘He will not be eligible for nomination in the individual artist categories (entertainer and male vocalist of the year categories).’
Morgan issued a long statement on his Instagram page last month following his decision to take a break from performing.
After thanking fans for their support, he wrote: ‘I wanted to let you guys know that I’ve taken a couple months away and feel like I’ve really worked on myself. I’m proud of the work I’ve put in, and in many ways thankful to have had the time to do it. I’ve needed this time off.
‘I moved to Nashville at 22. I never really gave myself a chance to survey the man I became during that time. I can already see a big difference between 22-year-old me and 27-year-old me. I hope there’s a big difference between the 27-year-old me now and the 32-year-old me one day. I will always strive to be better.
‘Not only has this time revealed to me the ways in which I want to improve, but it’s also reminded me that I am still very proud of who I am and the man I am becoming.’
He added that he needed more time out, telling fans he would not be playing any summer concerts or festivals.
Despite the controversy, during his time out, Morgan’s Dangerous: The Double Album broke records on the Billboard 200 charts after spending more than 10 weeks at number 1.
It was the first album to spend its first 10 weeks at number 1 since 1987 after Whitney Houston’s Whitney held its place in the top spot for 11 weeks.
It is also the first album to have 10 weeks in a row at number 1 since Adele’s 21 in 2012 while it is one of only four country albums to spend at least 10 weeks at the top of the Billboard 200 chart.
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