With Coachella now in the rearview mirror, the 2022 Stagecoach Festival is upon us. To celebrate California’s Country Music Festival, we’re shouting out all the Black artists performing.
It’s no secret that country music, in general, has had a bit of a reputation for being whitewashed. Recent occurrences like a conservative reporter complaining about Black people attending the Country Music Awards only reinforce this view. However, many Black country stars are helping expand the genre and some will be at Stagecoach this weekend.
Here are 8 Black artists to watch at the 2022 Stagecoach Festival.
Y’all ready to let the good times roll? pic.twitter.com/CSvcTWVsty
— Stagecoach Festival (@Stagecoach) October 26, 2021
Reyna Roberts
This Army brat-turned-country music sensation is at the top of our list. Whether she’s serving lewks online or churning out hits like “Raised Right,” “Stompin’ Grounds,” and “Countdown to Victory,” Reyna Roberts is making her mark on the industry.
“With undeniable charisma, the possibilities are endless for groundbreaking entertainer, Reyna Roberts,” her online bio reads.
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Randy Savvy
Randy Savvy is hyped up for his upcoming Stagecoach performance, noting that he’s “bringing STREET COUNTRY to the desert.” With a freshly released EP called CAPT. as well as singles like “Sound Like California,” he’s ready to dominate the stage.
Savvy is also proudly affiliated with an organization dubbed the Compton Cowboys, so fans should definitely check that out.
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Amythyst Kiah
This artist specializes in “singing sad songs from the Hills of East TN,” making her a great addition to many country music playlists.
Amythyst Kiah first hit the scene in 2013 with her Dig album. After taking a hiatus, she released her sophomore album, Wary + Strange, last June.
It’s also worth noting that she was recently featured in Vanity Fair.
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BRELAND
With songs alongside country music superstars Keith Urban and Thomas Rhett, BRELAND is an artist to watch at Stagecoach.
Ahead of his Stagecoach performance, BRELAND recently appeared on The Real and dished on how he’d love to have Drake on a country song.
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Yola
Next up, on the heels of her Coachella set, we have Yola.
With recent releases like 2021’s Stand For Myself and 2022’s “Diamond Studded Shoes (Reimagined),” Yola’s bringing the heat to the Stagecoach Festival.
As far as accolades go, it’s worth mentioning she’s won numerous UK Americana Awards.
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Shy Carter
Shy Carter is another artist to peep at the Indio, California, music festival.
Ahead of his performance, Carter has been busy on Instagram promoting his latest single, “Hurry.”
It’s also worth noting that The Tennessean recently shouted him out.
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Rhiannon Giddens
Rhiannon Giddens, one of the founding members of the Carolina Chocolate Drops, will also be performing at Stagecoach. While the group hasn’t released anything new since 2012, Giddens has been steadily dropping music and her latest release is her 2021 They’re Calling Me Home album.
It’s also worth noting that she’s headlining the 2022 ROMP Fest in Owensboro, Kentucky, later this year.
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Smokey Robinson
Perhaps the most widely known star on this list through hits like “Cruisin’” and “Being With You,” Smokey Robinson has been in the game for quite some time.
However, with recent performances and a youthful spirit, this 82-year-old country music legend is proving that he’s still a major force to be reckoned with.
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See you at Stagecoach!
