Earlier this month, the Recording Academy Advocacy Team spent International Women's Day with Songwriter, Producer and Recording Artist, Caitlyn Smith and her team — giving them an inside look to their experiences as women in the music industry.

The team started the day with a visit from Smith and Casey Thomas, Monument Record's Director of Publicity and Creative, at the Recording Academy Advocacy office in Downtown Washington, D.C., where the Advocacy team, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion department, and D.C. Chapter staff sat down with them to discuss what it's like to be a woman in the music industry.

As Caitlyn shared — and women artists everywhere can relate — when her music career was up and coming, she was often the only woman in the room. However, she was lucky to have plenty of female mentors who helped encourage her to speak up when making music.

It wasn't until working with a female-dominated team that she really understood how much more comfortable and freeing the music creation process can be when one is surrounded by people who can identify with oneself.

This experience is one felt by women across the entire music community. Last year, the Recording Academy partnered with Arizona State University (ASU) and Berklee College of Music Institute for Creative Entrepreneurship (BerkleeICE) to produce the Women in the Mix study — aimed at understanding the experiences and socio-economic landscape of women and gender expansive individuals working in the American music industry.

This study found that 95% of respondents felt that mentorship is important to advancing within the music industry and 77% felt they had been treated differently in the music industry because of their gender.

The conversation didn't stop there. Later that day, the entire group headed to the RIAA office for an event hosted by said organization, along with the Recording Academy, the National Music Publishers' Association, and the Congressional Creative Rights Caucus, where Caitlyn and her all-women team participated in a panel to continue the discussion on women's experience in music.

In addition to Smith, the panel consisted of Engineer and Producer, and Recording Academy Nashville Chapter Governor, Gena Johnson; Vice President of A&R Universal Music Publishing Nashville, Missy Roberts; Manager of GM Monument Records, Katie McCartney; and was moderated by USA Today's National Music Writer, Melissa Ruggieri.

Each of the panelists discussed their early days in music and although each had a different path, all of them had one thing in common — they've each experienced being outnumbered and outspoken by the men in the room.

When asked if the panel had any advice for women, Johnson emphasized this sentiment by stating how women are often asking for permission, whether it is to be in the room or to have a voice in the music process; however, she hopes women everywhere can realize that they have just as much right to be in the room as the men.

Moreover, each of the panelists highlighted the need for a safe space where artists can be vulnerable in the studio because that is what leads to the best work and often isn't available to women. That is what sparked Johnson to build a studio in her home that could be an escape and safe place for artists to record. Smith, who spent a lot of time recording her upcoming album, High & Low, in Johnson's studio, discussed how helpful it was in the writing process to be able to be fully comfortable in the space you're creating in.

Despite the fact that High & Low was created by this all-women team, the overall numbers of women in music remain low. The Women in the Mix study reported only 21.6% of artists, 12.6% of songwriters and 2.6% of producers are women.

While the lack of women in the music industry is still an ongoing problem, the Recording Academy has proudly added 1,913 women to its voting membership and are now 77% of the way toward its goal of adding 2,500 women voting members by 2025. Additionally, nearly half of the nominees for the 2023 GRAMMYs were women.

Keep watching as the Recording Academy continues its work to amplify women's voices both during Women's History Month and throughout the entire year!

The Recording Academy Teams Up With Music Community To Launch The Human Artistry CampAIgn

Each year, on March 8 we take a moment to celebrate International Women's Day in honor of all the women who make our lives richer, who have made an indelible impact on the world around us and who persevere against all odds year-round.

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Join in the celebration with artists such as Dua Lipa, Remy Ma, Little Mix, Tina Turner, Dolly Parton, Madonna, and more. And join GRAMMY.com in our Take Note: Women In Music celebration, a series spotlighting women in music every day this month.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Happy International Womens Day! Love each other, look after each other and support each other. Not just today but everyday. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SUPPORTYALOCALGIRLGANG?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SUPPORTYALOCALGIRLGANG</a> <a href="https://t.co/rPpDDLEtzh">pic.twitter.com/rPpDDLEtzh</a></p>&mdash; DUA LIPA (@DUALIPA) <a href="https://twitter.com/DUALIPA/status/971662825490927617?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 8, 2018</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">“I’m all the woman that I wanna be” <br>Happy <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/InternationalWomensDay?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#InternationalWomensDay</a></p>&mdash; TinaTurner (@LoveTinaTurner) <a href="https://twitter.com/LoveTinaTurner/status/971704401365696512?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 8, 2018</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Happy <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/InternationalWomensDay?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#InternationalWomensDay</a> to all the incredible women around the world  There are so many powerful women that are forever inspiring us and TODAY is all about you! Get this <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GirlPower?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GirlPower</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/SpotifyUK?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SpotifyUK</a> playlist on to get you in the mood  xx the girls xx <a href="https://t.co/wXIaw5kmsO">https://t.co/wXIaw5kmsO</a> <a href="https://t.co/yuYxonM7Xs">pic.twitter.com/yuYxonM7Xs</a></p>&mdash; Little Mix (@LittleMix) <a href="https://twitter.com/LittleMix/status/971689231427944448?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 8, 2018</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">happy 1st <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/internationalwomensday?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#internationalwomensday</a> to my beautiful daughter, carmella. i will teach her to be brave, independent, strong, smart, kind, inclusive, unique, loud and loving just like i was taught by the incredible women in my life. the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/futureisfemale?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#futureisfemale</a> </p>&mdash; christina perri (@christinaperri) <a href="https://twitter.com/christinaperri/status/971758971265671168?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 8, 2018</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Shout-out to all my beautiful brown skin women today. You inspire me to do what I do and keep pushing forward. Let your Melanin skin shine bright today and every day! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/InternationalWomensDay?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#InternationalWomensDay</a> <a href="https://t.co/ad60UxmTJW">pic.twitter.com/ad60UxmTJW</a></p>&mdash; Remy Ma (@RealRemyMa) <a href="https://twitter.com/RealRemyMa/status/971858359883370503?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 8, 2018</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">She&#39;s truly an eagle when she flies! Happy <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/InternationalWomensDay?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#InternationalWomensDay</a>! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IWD2018?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IWD2018</a> <a href="https://t.co/Jku3o21l1M">pic.twitter.com/Jku3o21l1M</a></p>&mdash; Dolly Parton (@DollyParton) <a href="https://twitter.com/DollyParton/status/971773007516590088?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 8, 2018</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">THE FUTURE IS FEMALE <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/internationalwomensday?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#internationalwomensday</a>  <a href="https://t.co/ki2QXk8MI7">pic.twitter.com/ki2QXk8MI7</a></p>&mdash; Madonna (@Madonna) <a href="https://twitter.com/Madonna/status/971866431389421568?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 8, 2018</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">This <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/womensday?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#womensday</a> I&#39;d like to thank my mama who&#39;s my best friend; i love u. Who inspires u? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/pressforprogress?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#pressforprogress</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/thankher?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#thankher</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/internationalwomensday?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#internationalwomensday</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/LOrealParisUSA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@lorealparisusa</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/lorealparis?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#lorealparis</a></p>&mdash; camila (@Camila_Cabello) <a href="https://twitter.com/Camila_Cabello/status/971865392279777280?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 8, 2018</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Men are realising that there is a species trying to live and breathe on the same planet as them - women. Give them a chance too, guys.  <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/InternationalWomensDay?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#InternationalWomensDay</a></p>&mdash; Yoko Ono (@yokoono) <a href="https://twitter.com/yokoono/status/971848500416864257?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 8, 2018</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">support women. empower women. employ women. pay women. promote women. elect women. befriend women. listen to women. believe women. encourage women. love women. pleasure women. indulge women. respect women. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/internationalwomensday?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#internationalwomensday</a></p>&mdash; MUNA (@whereisMUNA) <a href="https://twitter.com/whereisMUNA/status/971838683933372416?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 8, 2018</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Catching Up On Music News Powered By The Recording Academy Just Got Easier. Have A Google Home Device? "Talk To GRAMMYs"

The archenemy of great heavy metal might not be the censors, the brass, or your clergyman, but something way more mundane: getting older.

On Deicide's early work — like their classic 1990 self-titled debut and its 1992 follow-up, Legion  —  the Florida quartet sounded deranged, filterless. And their twisted-taut songwriting made it all connect straight to your jaw.

Their leader, bassist and vocalist Glen Benton, has always been utterly unconvincing as a scary consort of Lucifer. Rather, he drew Deicide's viciously anti-organized-religion themes straight from his life experience. Specifically, "terrifying moments" growing up with a "so-called Catholic" father and Lutheran mother, sitting through creepy Latin intonations with eternal damnation hanging over his head.

This uniquely grounded perspective gave Deicide emotional resonance, and a rage that seemed earned and realistic. When metal's legion of cookie-cutter, crucifix-inverting provocateurs try to wig you out, the only reasonable response is to roll your eyes and keep it moving. Deicide, on the other hand, might prompt a sleepless night researching the crimes of the Vatican.

"I identify myself as a free thinker and a kid that was tormented just like everybody else growing up," Benton once said, in an article that also featured him on his bike, cooing at a group of passing turkeys.

As with almost any legacy act in metal, Deicide's path hasn't always been easy. The lineup has shifted. Benton's had struggles, including with substances. Now, he takes lengthy bike rides every morning, eats a plant-based diet, and stays away from toxic people and situations.

Grinning ear to ear at home in Florida, in front of hockey masks on a bare wall, Benton's pleased as punch to have a new Deicide album, Banished by Sin, out April 26. Divorces, a custody battle, and empty-nester syndrome put him in a "dark corner," as he put it in press materials.

But songs like "Sever the Tongue" and "The Light Defeated" sound like he alchemized that pain into the hair-raising fun of metal. In conversation, Benton proudly states that Deicide avoided compression, Pro Tools, and plugins whenever possible — a heel turn from their last few records.

Make no mistake, Banished by Sin still sounds like modern metal; if you're clamoring for a return to mid-fi, analog sound, your mileage may vary.  But by minding these issues, and taking care of the songwriting, Benton, original drummer Steve Asheim, and guitarists Kevin Quirion and Taylor Nordberg have managed to reignite that decades-old flame.

This interview has been edited for clarity.

You've mentioned retreating into a "dark corner," beleaguered by "other people's hangups." What was going on there?

I mean the personnel changes and stuff like that. And just the last decade, man, I lost my parents, lost all the family, lost everything in that. The kids all grew up, moved out. I just found myself all by myself there for a while. Things happened and bing, bam, boom, the universe threw some things at me and snapped me out of it.

I had a good time putting this together. I was out of my contract with Sony and Sensory Media, so I was able to really just put something together that was more out of just fun. Just, let's create something that when we do take it to somebody, they're going to jump all over it.

What snapped you out of this dark period?

I just kind of came to some realizations. I think you do when you get older, you know?

I guess, all the time I spent standing in the corner in the dark there, I just kind of discovered some of the deeper meanings of life. I just spent my whole life trying to make everybody else happy and kind of just forgot about my happiness. I put my s— to the back burner for a lot of things and a lot of people. Now I'm selfish and I just think about me and myself.

Seems like a healthier route.

I warn everybody: I'm guilty of just thinking about me sometimes, after all these years worrying about everybody else's happiness.

That goes for everybody. I mean, from my kids, to the exes, to everybody, you know what I mean? Obviously, I keep conducting business as usual, but I just... The guilty pleasures of, "Hey, you guys drive there and I'll fly there and meet you there," that kind of stuff. Not putting myself through the agony of a 20-hour drive anymore.

I'm sure in the early days of Deicide, there was no people-pleasing. Just making honest, provocative art.

It's still the same way, man. I don't put too much thought into what anybody else is thinking or doing. I just approach everything from my own perspective.

But as the band wore on through the years, I'm sure other voices entered your headspace, and made you self-question.

Nah, self-question? Man, I really don't. I can say that one of the things that I discovered recently that probably enlightened me the most is that I truly don't give too much of a s— about much.

You kind of rediscover that person that you were before a family, and kids, and your career, and all that stuff. What happened is I rediscovered and reconnected with who I really am and where I came from.

It's really liberating, man, at my age, and that's how I approached the record. It's like, You know what? I'm not doing this for anybody else's pleasure or enjoyment but my own.

There's no deadlines. There's no extensive record contract involved. I ain't got people breathing down my neck. I can just do whatever I do and enjoy, create something for myself. That's what we did, just like we did in the old days. No pressure. We just wrote songs that we thought were heavy, and put them together.

When family and industry stuff began to cloud your world, was it ever a drag to make music?

Willie Nelson would tell you if he didn't have sad stuff to write about, he wouldn't have any songs at all. It's just how it is. You write from your heart, and your life, and your experiences and you let that just kind of spill into your art. The poetry of my lyrics hold a lot of that stuff in there.

The title of Banished by Sin struck me. Unfairly treating someone as an outcast is more evil than any "evil" music in the world.

Right? Well, that's how I've always felt, because of who I am, and what I do, and everything. I've been banished by most. So that's where the title came up. I've been banished and I embrace it.

Yet there's this pervasive sense of cathartic fun. What was the vibe like, getting in the studio with the band at the outset?

We recorded right down the street from my house. We were rehearsing down in New Port Richey, but we moved everything here to my home, which is right directly up the street from Jeramie Kling's house, where the studio is. We're 60 seconds away from the studio now.

Jeramie and I would ride bikes in the morning and we'd talk about it, about trying to work with [Kling]. I told Steve, "Hey, listen, let's try it. We'll record a couple songs and see where it goes, see what it sounds like."

We did that and immediately it was just like, Yeah, this is magic. So we kept recording, and getting all the rhythm tracks done, and getting ready to start shopping it.

It was incredible. We went for more of a live sound. We used all amps and cabs and mics. We used Pro Tools a little bit; a lot of bands overuse it, and I wanted more of a live sound on this record, like a demo kind of sound. That's what we were shooting at, and that's why it's got that intent.

I'm sure there were barely even any overdubs on early Deicide material.

Well, you're talking about the age of two-inch tape. So doing overdubs, you're splicing tape, and cutting this, and cutting that. You had to go in there, and three guys stand there with the guitars, Steve in an isolation booth, and go for it.

I miss that approach, doing it like the old school. You go to the studio, you set your rigs up in that, you mic everybody, and you record, and that's how you distinguish your sound. It gets lost with the digital age.

The last couple of records, I played through plugins. I don't want to play through plugins, I want to play through a rig. I want my sound. When I sound like live, I want it on a record. That's what we were able to achieve with this.

Jeramie's our sound man, too, so he knows our sound inside and out. He was able to engineer and track us. So we captured that old school '90s sound vibe with the way we recorded it and that. I found out that less is best.

Did you write in the studio, or have all the tunes written?

Oh, we had all the songs written, man. We wrote all that stuff during COVID and we put it all together while we were putting the Legion [30th anniversary] stuff together. Then we were writing the songs in between all that.

Where are you at with your bass thinking? I'm sure you retrieved some technical and creative elements from when you were a younger, hungrier man.

I found out that the older you get, that stuff that you thought was really technical back then is not as technical today as you did. As a player, you improve.

When I was first approached about doing the Legion stuff, I was really hesitant. But I pulled it together. Once I started learning the stuff, I was like, Wow, man, I can't believe how easy that stuff is, compared to what we've been playing over the last decade.

Have certain incarnations of Deicide been less-than-functional? It seems like you're enjoying a healthy and productive dynamic with these guys.

With Taylor in the band, it's like we're at a place where it's never been better. I mean, everybody just gets along great. Nobody has any kind of hangups, personally. We just get down to business immediately.

He's an experienced engineer, as well as a phenomenal guitar player. Everybody clicks, and I got a great team of people working for me now. Finally, after all these years, we finally, we're at that place where me and Steve are really happy with the way things are working out.

We did a one record deal with RPM, and now that record deal has been handed in. It's a good feeling, man, because having those long, extensive recording contracts can be a little oppressive.

In the early days, the band was on fire. But I imagine you and Steve were less adult in dealing with each other.

Well, yeah, me and Steve have pretty much grown up together. I remember the day he quit high school, man. We spent a lot of time together.

Like I say, people changed over the years and that. But I just consider myself the coach of the team, and it's my job to try to keep making this thing better, and get the team stronger. Now I have us at a place where we've never been stronger.

I'm pretty content now, man. I don't have to stress and worry about the people that are in the band doing something stupid or embarrassing us in any way and ruining the brand. Yeah, everybody's totally 100 percent into this.

*Glen Benton of Deicide. Photo: Gene Smirnov*

You're clearly creatively energized. How do you keep your vitality up?

I ride my bike between 15 and 20 miles every morning. That's what keeps me moving. man. It keeps my cardio up, and keeps my health up. I eat healthy. That's about it.

Take the readers through the moment when you realized you had a great album in the can.

I think it was when I started laying vocals to it. Instead of coming in and blowing my voice out, doing four songs in a day's time. I was able to come in and do one song a day. So, I was able to come in there with the intensity.

I'd do one song, and then I'd listen to that over the course of the evening, which brought me in the next day with even more determination to make it even sicker. So for me, when I started hearing the vocals, the way I was laying the patterns down and everything was coming together.

When we had all the songs done, and you listened to it in its entirety, I was like, Wow, this is something special.

In the early days, what was the atmosphere like between Deicide and your peers? Was it super competitive? Were you all friends?

Some of us were friends, some of us weren't friends. Competitive? I didn't even know anybody else existed by me for the longest time.

I grew up here in Florida and I grew up going to concerts and shows by local bands, Nasty Savage, Savatage. With some of us, it was a competition. We all kind of fell in on the scene at the same time. So there was a lot of puffing of chests about who was here first, and all that stuff. "We're the best, this is the best, this is the greatest, we're the best." Everybody was just trying to sell themselves like that.

I just really tried to avoid all that. I do what I do, and I appreciate everybody that does the same thing that's keeping this alive.

Alive, and thriving. How's the early response to Banished by Sin been?

You have your people that have nothing better to say. But then, you know what? Then you got the real fans, man, that have been chiming in with kind words in regards to the new stuff.

For the first time ever in my career, it's really, it's warming to know that people still dig what we're doing. We really appreciate it, man. There's a lot of cool comments, It's really been entertaining.

I can't wait to drop the next video, man, that's going to come out when we release the record. That's going to cause a lot of controversy, so we're looking forward to dropping that one on everybody.

Some pearl-clutching, as usual?

There's going to be a lot of disclaimers before the video drops.

How 1986 Became The Epicenter Of A New Metal Sound: Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, And The Albums That Defined Thrash Metal

Since Post Malone burst onto the mainstream nearly a decade ago, he has continued to flaunt his genre-defying brand of musical brilliance. For his latest venture, it’s time for gold grills and cowboy hats: Posty’s going country.

Though his musical origins are in rap, Malone has seamlessly traversed pop, R&B, and blues, always hinting at his deep-seated country roots along the way. In the last year, his long-standing affinity for country music has moved to the forefront, with appearances at the CMA Awards, a country-tinged Super Bowl LVIII performance, and a feature on Beyoncé’s COWBOY CARTER. Next up, he’ll make his debut at California's Stagecoach Festival alongside some of country music’s biggest names — and pay tribute to some of the genre greats.

While it’s unclear exactly what the Texas-raised hitmaker will be singing, his 45-minute set on Saturday, April 27 is labeled “Post Malone: Performs a special set of country covers.” After years of performing covers for and alongside country stars, the performance is arguably one of the most full-circle moments of his career thus far.

Ahead of his Stagecoach premiere, read on for some of Posty's biggest nods and contributions to the country music scene over the years — that could culminate in his own country album soon enough. 

A Slew Of Classic Country Music Covers

Malone has a history of channeling his musical heroes, often pulling on his boots to deliver heartfelt covers. He's paid tribute to country icons many times, including covers of Hank Williams Jr.'s classic, "There's A Tear In My Beer” in a 2018 fan-favorite video. 

During a 2022 Billy Strings tour stop at The Observatory in Los Angeles, Malone made a surprise appearance and used the moment to honor Johnny Cash alongside Strings. The pair delivered an acoustic duet of Cash's infamous murder ballad, "Cocaine Blues."

And just this year, Malone covered Hank Williams Sr. during a surprise performance at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium. On April 3, he closed out the annual Bobby Bones' Million Dollar Show with a rendition of Williams' "Honky Tonk Blues." 

A Longtime Kinship With Dwight Yoakam

Malone has long collaborated with Dwight Yoakam, marking a friendship and professional partnership that spans his career. Yoakam is a GRAMMY-winning trailblazer known for his pioneering blend of honky tonk, rock and punk that shook up the country scene in the 80's with his blend of "cowpunk." 

The pair frequently joined forces on Yoakam's SiriusXM Radio spot "Greater Bakersfield," where one standout 2018 appearance features Malone covering Yoakam's own “Thousand Miles From Nowhere” as the two laugh, strum and belt out the lyrics together in perfect harmony. 

On April Fool's Day in 2021, they playfully teased fans with the prospect of a double country album release — which may not seem so far-fetched three years later.

It's fitting that Malone would find such deep inspiration in folks like Yoakam, a man who first rode onto the country scene with a new take on a traditional sound. Much like Yoakam bridged generations with his music, Malone brings a new yet familiar energy to the country scene, embodying the spirit of a modern cowboy in both style and sound.

A Country Tribute To Elvis

Malone teamed up with Keith Urban for a duet rendition of "Baby, What You Want Me to Do" during the "Elvis All-Star Tribute Special," which aired on NBC in 2019. Originally written and performed by blues musician and songwriter Jimmy Reed, "Baby, What You Want Me to Do" was famously covered by Presley and commemorated through Urban and Malone's unique blend of modern guitar-slapping country-rock charisma. 

That wasn't Malone's only country collab that night, either. He also covered Presley's "Blue Suede Shoes" alongside Blake Shelton, Little Big Town and Mac Davis.

A Celebration Of Texas With Country Legends

In March 2021, Matthew McConaughey and his wife, Camila, hosted the "We’re Texas" virtual benefit concert, to help Texans coping with that year's disastrous winter storms during the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Following performances by George Strait, Kacey Musgraves, Willie Nelson, and Miranda Lambert, Malone — who moved to Dallas when he was 10 — served as the night's final entertainer. He performed Brad Paisley's "I'm Gonna Miss Her" followed by Sturgill Simpson's "You Can Have The Crown" backed by Dwight Yoakam.

A Rousing Tribute At The 2023 CMA Awards

At the 2023 CMA Awards, Malone joined country stars Morgan Wallen and HARDY on stage to cover late icon Joe Diffie‘s “Pickup Man” and "John Deere Green." Malone's first-ever performance at the CMAs felt more like a reunion than a debut, with Malone right at home among his collaborators.

“I’ve manifested this for years," HARDY told Audacy's Katie Neal. "Slight flex here, but I started following [Post Malone] when he had like, 300k Instagram followers. I was on the 'White Iverson' terrain, like the first thing that he ever put out and I was like, ‘this is dope,’ and I've been with him ever since.” 

After the performance, Malone hinted to Access Hollywood that it might be the start of a new chapter. When asked if a forthcoming country album would be in the works, he answered, “I think so. Yes, ma'am.” (More on that later.)

A Countrified Appearance At Super Bowl LVIII

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Before Beyoncé announced COWBOY CARTER in a Verizon Super Bowl ad, Malone offered Super Bowl Sunday's first country-themed clue at the top of the night with his tender rendition of "America The Beautiful." Sporting a bolo tie and brown suede, Malone delivered his patriotic performance with a characteristically country drawl while strumming along on acoustic guitar before Reba McIntire's star-spangled rendition of the national anthem. 

Malone's performance followed in the footsteps of a long line of country artists who have kicked off the national sporting event, which started with Charley Pride in 1974 and has included Shania Twain, Faith Hill and Garth Brooks. 

A Tip Of The Hat To Toby Keith

During a performance at the American Rodeo in Arlington, Texas, on March 9, Malone paid tribute to the late Toby Keith, who passed away in February. After pouring one out and taking a sip from a red solo cup (an homage to Keith's playful hit of the same name), Malone performed a cover of "As Good As I Once Was" for the Texas rodeo crowd.

His TikTok video of the performance quickly garnered over 4 million views, sparking enthusiasm among fans for more country music from him. "Sir. I'm now begging for a country album," wrote one user in a comment that has received over 11,000 hearts.

A (Potential) Full-On Country Album

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His much-teased country album may not be too yonder. After confirming that a country album was in the works during a live Twitch stream on his channel, Malone has spent much of this year teasing forthcoming new work. There is no scheduled album release date as of press time, but Malone has shared snippets of new songs including “Missin’ You Like This” and dropped sneak peeks of collaborations with Morgan Wallen, HARDY, Ernest, and Luke Combs. 

In February, Malone posted a sample of a collaboration with Combs, "I Ain't Got A Guy For That," the first in a series of song snippets shared across his social channels. 

On March 20, Malone posted a reel to Instagram featuring a video of himself seated on a stool, smoking a cigarette and singing along to a track that opens with Wallen singing, “It takes two to break a heart in two,” as Malone comes in to deliver a blow with the line, “Baby you blame me, and baby I’ll blame you." The track, shared with the caption (and supposed song title) "I had some help," was first announced in a now-deleted social media post by Wallen at the end of 2023. 

No matter when the album may come, Post Malone’s Stagecoach set will only up the anticipation for some original country music from the star — and from the looks of it, fans and genre stars alike are more than ready for it.

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On her debut solo EP, (G)-IDLE's YUQI has one wish: for all the "freaks" around the world to confidently sing along with her.

YUQ1 boasted a whopping 500,000 pre-order sales prior to its April 23 release, demonstrating the Chinese singer/songwriter's tremendous popularity. YUQI's creative flair permeates everything from the music itself to its accompanying visuals, as does her desire to stand alone. "I’m a certified freak," she sings, celebrating the liberation she feels when embracing her uniqueness.

YUQI is the third member of (G)I-DLE to make her solo debut, and the quintet's second member to release a solo EP. While YUQI has released her own music before — including the digital album A Page and singles "Bad Liar" and "Fire!" with Alan Walker and JVKE — YUQ1 marks her first lengthier release. 

YUQI added an additional level of authenticity to her EP by contributing compositions and lyrics to most of the tracks, meticulously working on crafting her unique artist identity as she dabbles in different genres. From the red rabbit mascot on the concept photos to the lyric in "FREAK" that mentions her Zodiac sign Libra, YUQ1 is a reflection of the singer's free-spirited yet delicate artistic qualities. 

**This isn’t the first time YUQI has preached about being proud of yourself and your life. Her trendy 2021 house-inspired single "Bonnie & Clyde" (from A Page) similarly depicts a high level of confidence, as well as a fearlessness when it comes to facing whatever life throws at you. And YUQI has truly lived this bravery as an artist who moved from her home country to Korea, learned a new language, and experienced the strenuous K-Pop training system.**

While YUQI has grown exponentially over the past six years as a member of (G)-IDLE and as a solo act, she still feels the need to be perfect. And while (G)I-DLE is the only K-Pop girl group to achieve a "perfect all-kill" on major domestic charts with four consecutive releases, YUQI believes she hasn't succeeded yet.  

As her understanding of creating her crafts deepens, YUQI’s self-awareness also grows. "The depth of my understanding of the songs I create has significantly changed and improved," YUQI tells GRAMMY.com. "I, personally [and] as an artist, have matured a lot!"

Perhaps she picked up some of these facets from her father. "Honestly, even without joking, my father taught me everything when I was 3 years old," she says with a laugh.

While in Seoul, YUQI sat down with GRAMMY.com to share why she thinks everyone is a "freak," and how this era marks the beginning for her as a solo artist.

The interview has been edited for clarity.

This is just your first mini-album, but do you already have a vision for your solo career?

I tried to capture the YUQI that’s real and confident in this album. No matter what other people say about me, I’m not the weird one. But, in fact, I think everyone is a "freak," too. 

This album expresses my confidence and emotional life through music. I wanted to convey that you just have to live confidently too, just as I do. When preparing for my solo album, I also tried different hairstyles that I’ve never tried as a (G)I-DLE member!

You've previously shared that moving to Korea alone to pursue this career was difficult, and your parents were strongly against it at first. Do you think those uncertainties and challenges played a huge role in making who you are?

Definitely! That situation did play a huge role in my career. I just kept on believing in myself and moving forward for my dream and what I wanted to achieve. And through the journey, I discovered that believing in yourself is the best way and that mindset helped me a lot.

I was insecure about my voice when I first came to Korea. But then, everyone told me how precious my voice was. Just like my unique voice, I believe there were many aspects of myself that I wasn't initially aware of, which contributed to my growth as an artist. 

I’m always open and working hard to listen to many people’s opinions so I’ll be able to have a broad perspective. It helps me and makes me develop myself in many ways!

Your music often tackles common worries about growing up, and some of the songs on YUQ1 are inspired by your personal experience such as "My Way" and "Everytime." How do you feel about sharing this side of yourself with the public?

When I talk about my worries and tell a story about them, I feel that everyone actually shares similar experiences regardless of the circumstances they’ve been through or will go through.

In a previous interview with GRAMMY.com, you said that your biggest takeaway since debuting in (G)I-DLE is to always be proud of yourself. Do you feel that way now, or is there a gap that you think you need to fill in order to achieve that pride?

Honestly, my thoughts have not changed over the years. I still feel proud of myself, always! Something that would not change, is that I would still [like to] challenge myself and try to do anything I want to go after. 

Also, I always think that I’m not perfect and always try to make up for what is lacking.

You believe you haven’t succeeded yet. However, you’ve already come so far in people’s eyes. At what point in time do you believe you can proudly say "I made it"? 

When people only see me in the media, they would think that I have succeeded a lot. But for me, personally, I don't think so… I still have many things to do in order to succeed in my career. And I always try to keep moving forward with my goals.

My biggest dream, both now and in the past, has always been to live a happy life. It changes from time to time often, but I guess living a happy life is my ultimate goal.

You never forget to mention how you want to always keep improving in interviews. How would you describe YUQI who works really hard to showcase her growth right now?

While preparing for this album, I have experienced so many things that I haven't experienced fully before. For instance, there are so many genres I explored while preparing for this album. Also, it was the first time where I designed my own album, came up with the concept, and had a full album with all the songs that I composed! 

This album definitely allowed me to grow as an artist. Even though there were a lot of difficulties, I believe that those are part of the journey and made YUQI even more mature, have more responsibilities, and be aware of them.

Could you share some insights and walk us through your involvement in the songwriting process?

I have participated in composing and lyrics for (G)I-DLE’s songs in our previous albums. However, this was my first time composing an album on my own. 

It makes me think I can actually do more diverse things, and I believe I was able to do what I wanted to do for myself in this album. It was a great opportunity to include many songs in my own way and style and was able to show new aspects that I have never shown before with my group.

You worked with MINNIE, pH-1, and Lexie Liu on the album’s "Everytime," "Drink It Up," and "On Clap," respectively. What made you choose to feature them on those particular songs, and what was the experience like?

I think and feel that [MINNIE’s] unique voice always suits every song! I’ve always wanted to work with her and I’m glad that she was able to be part of my album. 

And pH-1 was an artist that I’ve always wanted to work with. There was a rap part in "Drink It Up" and I was trying to look for a rapper that would perfectly fit into that part, and pH-1 came into my mind. I had so much fun working with him and he perfectly matched the style that I thought of. Even though it was our first time working together, he was very friendly! 

Lexie and I have been close friends for a long time. We always promised to work together, and I thought this time was the perfect opportunity to do so. I’m thankful that we worked on a song together.

The main character on the track list photo is a red rabbit. It’s also in the music video and some of your concept photos. Could you tell us the backstory of who that is and what that represents?

I was born in the year of a Rabbit and my favorite color is red! So, I decided to have a red rabbit as my main character. And that represents YUQI itself. When you look at the track list, you can see that the rabbit’s facial expressions and comments change depending on the song. In that sense, I think it is a character that shows YUQI’s day in various aspects!

When most people think of a red rabbit, I think that what comes to their mind is that it could be mysterious and scary. And so, I wanted to add some fun elements to the music video and give that feel of a horror movie. 

What’s one line from a song on YUQ1 that hit you the most? And what's something you want the listeners to resonate with the songs?

[A line] from my title track "FREAK"! I think it’s going to be the chorus part, "I’m a certified FREAK." I often talk about my strength as an artist and I saw a lot of comments asking, "Why is she like that?" and "Why is she talking about her own strength?" 

These comments actually gave me a lot of inspiration while writing this song. People who judge me… that way, they are also "FREAK" like everyone else. This is the reason I chose this part. The song contains a message that since you only live once, live yourself whatever you want to do without worrying about what others think.

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In a matter of days, some of country music's best and most promising acts will come together in Indio, California for Stagecoach Festival 2024. The annual event has spotlighted an eclectic mix of talent since 2007, but this year's impressive roster of performers helped Stagecoach earn its largest number of ticket sales in the festival's 17-year history.

Held April 28-30 at the Empire Polo Club — the same scenic desert landscape as the long-running Coachella Music and Arts Festival — this year's Stagecoach Festival offers a diverse blend of artists that spans from headliners like Miranda Lambert and Eric Church to surf-pop icons the Beach Boys, hit rockers Nickelback and hip-hop star Post Malone. 

Along with this diverse roster of superstars, the 2024 Stagecoach lineup is filled with a captivating list of artists on the rise. From a singer/songwriter enjoying a much-deserved comeback to a skillful 25-year-old putting his own spin on the '90s country sound, this year's crop of talent is paving the way for the future of country music.

Stagecoach Festival 2024 is completely sold out, but country fans who didn't snag their ticket in time can still enjoy all the festivities by streaming performances live via Amazon Prime all weekend long. Before you head out into the California sun or get cozy in front of your TV, take a moment to learn more about these 12 must-see acts coming to Stagecoach this year.

Tanner Adell

Since the release of Beyoncé's country-inspired album COWBOY CARTER, singer/songwriter Tanner Adell has become one of the genre's most talked about new artists. Before she was tapped as a guest vocalist on Beyoncé's cover of the Beatles' classic "Blackbird," and original track "AMERIICAN REQUIEM," Adell had already garnered a dedicated fan base online. 

Thanks to viral hits like "Buckle Bunny," the playful title track of her 2023 debut album, the Nashville-based talent has earned praise from both critics and country listeners worldwide. From heartfelt ballads to beat-driven bops made to get you on the dance floor, Adell blends elements of radio-ready modern country and rhythmic hip-hop with ease.

Adell's Saturday performance at Stagecoach promises to be a fiery and fun showcase of her polished pop-country songbook.

Zach Top

While growing up in Washington state, Zach Top forged a deep connection to the sound of traditional country music. From Marty Robbins to Keith Whitley, the influence of the genre's past is deeply entwined in every track of the talented 25-year-old's brand new record, Cold Beer & Country Music. 

Top's 12-track LP has earned plenty of buzz for its new take on the neo-traditionalist style that dominated country radio in the late 1980s and early '90s. With engaging vocals reminiscent of the late Daryle Singletary and thoughtful lyricism, Zach Top provides a fresh new take on a familiar and formative sound.

Brittney Spencer

Over the past five years, Brittney Spencer has repeatedly proven why she's one of the most important and captivating voices within modern country music. From her acclaimed 2021 single "Sober & Skinny'' to her celebrated collaboration with country supergroup The Highwomen, Spencer's vocals are consistently as emotive as they are effortless.

Spencer's charismatic personality and boundless energy take center stage through every performance, making her live shows a can't-miss event. Her Sunday afternoon set at Stagecoach offers a chance to hear cuts from her stellar debut album, My Stupid Life, which dropped in January.

Vincent Neil Emerson

Texas native Vincent Neil Emerson first earned widespread praise with the 2019 release of his debut album, Fried Chicken and Evil Women, earning him comparisons to influential artists like Guy Clark and Townes Van Zandt. His narrative-driven lyrics and hauntingly raw vocals have won the hearts of country fans far outside the Texas plains.

Over the years, he's collaborated with fellow alt-country favorite Colter Wall and recruited the creative genius of Rodney Crowell, who serves as producer on Emerson's self-titled 2021 LP. With his most recent album, the Shooter Jennings-produced The Golden Crystal Kingdom, Emerson once again channels the old-school magic of the traditional country that only comes from a rare type of Texas troubadour.

Katie Pruitt

Although Katie Pruitt has been locally lauded as among the best of Nashville's modern crop of singer/songwriters for years, her rise into the mainstream is still overdue. The Georgia native's stunning 2020 debut album, Expectations, was hailed for its raw honesty and effortless vocal intricacies. 

When she takes the stage during the final day of Stagecoach 2024, Pruitt will be armed with a brand new batch of awe-inspiring songs. Released on April 5, her sophomore album, Mantras, delivers an unpredictable, genre-bending sound that displays a sense of artistry far beyond her years. Don't miss your chance to see Pruitt's mesmerizing live set, which is guaranteed to have you dancing and maybe even wiping away a few tears.

Carin León

In just a few short years, beloved Mexican singer/songwriter Carin León has evolved from a regional hitmaker to an internationally known talent. His reflective and honest songs have connected with audiences globally, becoming one of Spotify's most streamed modern Mexican artists. 

Earlier this year, the two-time Latin GRAMMY-winner made his Grand Ole Opry debut, and will serve as the opening act for rock legends the Rolling Stones' Hackney Diamonds Tour when it heads to Glendale, Ariz. this May. (And just one week before his Stagecoach debut, he also made his Coachella debut.) Fans who catch his Friday set may be lucky enough to see a live rendition of "It Was Always You (Siempre Fuiste Tú)," his fresh collaboration with fellow Stagecoach 2024 artist Leon Bridges.

Trampled By Turtles 

Thanks to their unique blend of bluegrass, folk, country, and a dash of rock and roll, Minnesota-based outfit Trampled by Turtles has become a music festival staple — and will make their third Stagecoach appearance (and first in 10 years) on Saturday. Their high-energy live sets channel the psychedelic magic of rock's jam band scene, subbing plucky acoustic instrumentation in the place of rolling electric guitar.

The long-running band will treat fans to an array of tracks from their impressive career, which spans 10 albums, including their critically praised 2022 LP, Alpenglow. Even if you aren't already familiar with Trampled by Turtles' extensive list of releases, you're sure to be captivated by their hypnotizing performance style and positive energy that radiates from the live stage.

Charley Crockett

Texas-born talent Charley Crockett is one of few modern artists who have proven worthy enough for the coveted title of "troubadour." The seasoned singer/songwriter's appearance at Stagecoach will coincide with the release of $10 Cowboy, his soulful and synth-tinged 16th studio album.

Crockett's mix of traditional country and thoughtful folk, infused with gritty 1970s pop, creates a nostalgic charm that captivates the live stage. His descriptive story songs and distinctive twang echo the genre's early greats while expanding those classic country themes into new and surprising sonic territory. His Stagecoach 2024 set is sure to deliver a blend of fresh album cuts along with fan favorites from his already-expansive catalog.

Lola Kirke

You may know Lola Kirke as an accomplished actress in both television and film, but the British talent is also one of country music's most surprising new artists. Her stylized mix of traditional country and edgy pop-rock is refreshingly fun and tailor-made for Stagecoach's good-time vibe. 

In recent months, Kirke has shared a string of infectious singles leading up to the release of her latest EP, Country Curious. In March, she dropped a stellar take on the Paula Cole classic "Where Have All The Cowboys Gone?" featuring Stagecoach 2023 alumni Kaitlin Butts. Make sure you clean off your boots before Kirke's set, because there's a good chance she'll have a very special line dance lesson ready for the crowd.

Willie Jones

For nearly a decade, Louisiana-born talent Willie Jones has captivated country fans with fresh and genre-bending tracks, propelled by deep, rich vocals. Since first making waves with his rendition of Josh Turner's "Your Man" during an audition for "The X-Factor" in 2012, Jones has been paving his own path in the genre. 

He's recorded two full-length records, including his irresistible 2023 LP Something to Dance To. His Stagecoach set will certainly be a boot-stomper, offering concertgoers a chance to experience the magic captured on his latest EP, The Live Sessions, which arrived on April 5.

Sam Barber

Missouri native Sam Barber has evolved from a hopeful musician to a viral sensation with a major-label record deal. While passing the time at college, the gifted 20-year-old began recording covers of his favorite country tracks and shared them on TikTok, quickly garnering thousands of eager listeners. His down-to-earth charm, paired with surprisingly seasoned and gritty vocals, also earned the attention of Atlantic Records. 

In 2023, they shared Barber's debut EP, Million Eyes, which spawned the breakthrough radio single "Straight and Narrow." Now, fresh off the release of Live EP 001 and a string of new singles, Barber will bring his thoughtful yet edgy country sound to Stagecoach, marking another rapidfire career accomplishment.

Luke Grimes

Although you may know him best for his role as the chaotic charmer Kayce Dutton on the acclaimed television series "Yellowstone," Luke Grimes' creative talents expand far outside the small screen. A lifelong musician and lover of country music, Grimes took the stage at Stagecoach 2023 in support of his debut EP, Pain Pills or Pews. The project's raw and honest tracks earned critical acclaim and quickly led Grimes back into the studio, tapping Dave Cobb as producer for his vulnerable new self-titled LP, which arrived on March 8.

Whether you're a longtime fan of his acting or an already devoted listener, Grimes' set marks a pivotal moment in his ever-evolving musical career — and one of many can't-miss moments at this year's Stagecoach Festival.

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