Given his remarkable success in the genre, it's safe to say that most country fans enjoy Darius Rucker's music. However, the Grand Ole Opry member was the target of a racist tweet over the weekend that, understandably, set off his ire.
"@dariusrucker Leave country to the white folk," read the tweet, from a user identified as @pqkullman (the account has since been deactivated).
"@dariusrucker Leave country to the white folk," read the tweet, from a user identified as @pqkullman (the account has since been deactivated).
Rucker responded with "WOW. Is this 2013 or 1913," adding "I'll take my Grand Ole Opry membership and leave your racism."
The original tweeter did not engage in further discussion; however, several fans chimed in with their thoughts on the matter. When one fan asked Rucker why he bothered to retweet comments from racists, Rucker noted, "So the world can see them."
Another fan said, "Bet he wouldn't say that to Nelly's face." Rucker replied with "Wouldn't say it to mine either."
He concluded with this final statement: "If any hater thinks I care what u think. I don't make music for u. So don't listen."
Rucker had recently been receiving mixed reviews, many quite negative, for his cover of the Bob Dylan-penned "Wagon Wheel," as originally performed by Old Crow Medicine Show. The cover is the second single off his album True Believers, which will be released Tuesday.
Rucker, who initially forged his career in music as frontman for pop outfit Hootie & the Blowfish, has notched numerous accolades in the world of country in addition to his Opry membership, which he received in October 2012. His first country single in 2008, "Don't Think I Don't Think About It," made him the first African American to hit the top of the country chart since Charley Pride in 1983. He followed that by scoring the New Artist honor at the Country Music Association Awards, as well as four more No. 1 hits.
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