Morgan Cole Wallen is an American country music singer and songwriter born on May 13, 1993, in Sneedville, Tennessee. His father was a Baptist pastor and his mother was a teacher. Growing up, he took piano and violin lessons. A baseball injury in college prompted him to shift his focus to music.
The Voice and Career Beginnings
In 2014, Wallen competed on the sixth season of the reality television singing competition "The Voice". Initially a member of Usher's team, he was later "stolen" by Adam Levine's team before being eliminated during the playoffs. His mother had signed him up for the show. Though he didn't win, the exposure was a crucial starting point for his career. After the show, he moved to Nashville and signed with Panacea Records in 2015, releasing the EP "Stand Alone".
Rise to Stardom
Wallen signed with Big Loud Records in 2016 and released his debut studio album, "If I Know Me," in 2018. The album included the hit singles "Up Down" featuring Florida Georgia Line, "Whiskey Glasses," and "Chasin' You". His second studio album, "Dangerous: The Double Album" (2021), was a massive commercial success, debuting at number one on the Billboard 200 and spending its first ten weeks at the top of the chart. His third album, "One Thing at a Time" (2023), also debuted at number one and spent its first 12 weeks in the top spot. The album's single "Last Night" became his first to top the Billboard Hot 100.
Musical Style
Wallen's music is primarily categorized as country, but it also incorporates elements of rock and pop. His songs often explore themes of small-town life, heartbreak, and partying.
Controversies
Wallen's career has been marked by several controversies. He was arrested for public intoxication in 2020. In 2021, a video surfaced of him using a racial slur, which led to temporary suspension from his record label and removal of his music from many radio stations. In April 2024, he was arrested after throwing a chair from a rooftop bar in Nashville.