"Openly radicalizing his fans": Jason Aldean gun song controversy explained as lyrics spark online outrage

Jason Aldean has found himself at the centre of a storm of criticism following the release of his latest music video, Try That in a Small Town. The song features controversial imagery involving guns and police protesters. However, it is the lyrics, in particular, that have earned the singer flak from all quarters.

The opening lines of the song are as follows:

"Sucker punch somebody on a sidewalk/Carjack an old lady at a red light/Pull a gun on the owner of a liquor store/Ya think it's cool, well, act a fool if ya like/Cuss out a cop, spit in his face/Stomp on the flag and light it up/Yeah, ya think you're tough.

In the music video of the track, Aldean portrays a character caught in the midst of a tumultuous and divided society. It showcases scenes of individuals expressing their frustrations through peaceful protests against law enforcement, symbolizing the ongoing conversations surrounding police brutality and social justice issues.

What some also found concerning was that the video incorporates shots of Aldean holding firearms, highlighting the complex and sensitive topic of gun ownership.

Naturally, several social media users slammed Aldean, with user @jimstewartson accusing him of "radicalizing his fans into white nationalist vigilante violence."

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Social media users call out Jason Aldean for the controversial lyrics of his latest song

The chorus of Try That in a Small Town goes as follows:

"Well, try that in a small town/See how far ya make it down the road/Around here, we take care of our own/You cross that line, it won't take long/For you to find out, I recommend you don't/Try that in a small town."

Almost immediately after its release, the song's lyrics ignited a wave of criticism from various quarters. Critics argued that the lyrics promote a potentially dangerous narrative by depicting firearms in conjunction with the protesters. They assert that this imagery could be misinterpreted or misused, potentially fueling violence or misunderstanding in an already tense societal climate.

Several internet users called Jason out for making a song which promotes gun violence. Many users said that it trivializes important issues, such as police reform and the complexities of gun control, by blending them into a commercial entertainment format.

Many also claimed that the video may be seen as an endorsement or glamorization of violence, given Aldean's previous involvement in a mass shooting incident during a concert in 2017.

It is worth noting that the singer has not yet commented on the massive online backlash against him.

Jason Aldean had previously expressed his concerns about how easy it is for people to get guns. He spoke up after a terrible incident in October 2017, where a mass shooter killed 58 people and injured over 400 at the Route 91 Harvest Festival in Las Vegas. Aldean was performing at the festival when the tragedy occurred.

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Earlier, Jason Aldean was dropped by his PR team because he and his wife made a controversial remark about transgender children

This is not the first time that Jason Aldean has landed himself in a controversy. In the past, Aldean's publicity team parted ways with him following controversial remarks made by him and his wife, Brittany Aldean, regarding transgender children.

Last year, Brittany Aldean, a beauty blogger, posted an Instagram video expressing gratitude towards her parents for not letting her change her gender during her tomboy phase:

"I'd really like to thank my parents for not changing my gender when I went through my tomboy phase. I love this girly life," she wrote.

In response, Jason Aldean humorously replied:

"Lmao!! I'm glad they didn't too, 'cause you and I wouldn't have worked out."

At that time, he received massive backlash online.