Country Rap & It’s Widespread
Updated: Aug 3, 2025
Country Music & Trail Ride Culture Meet at the Pinnacle of Hip Hop
Dallas, Texas — With the explosive rise of trail ride culture and the continued crossover between urban and country music, a new hybrid genre is forging its own lane. Whether labeled country rap or urban country, the sound is resonating across the South and beyond — and artists are taking notice.
Recent collaborations such as Snoop Dogg and country singer Ernest’s (“Gettin’ Gone”), and BigXthaPlug linking up with Grammy-nominated country artist Shaboozey on “Coming Home”, are just the latest in a series of cross-genre partnerships turning heads. Inspired by Beyoncé’s Carter Cowboy campaign and the success of Lil Nas X’s record-breaking “Old Town Road” featuring Billy Ray Cyrus, urban creatives are now reshaping the country sound with fresh energy and authenticity.
“The Black influence on country music starts with the banjo, which often conjures the hazy image of a white pastoral South.”
— Andrew Chow, TIME Magazine
Black Roots in Country Music
Historically, Black musicians have been central to the formation of country music. As noted by author Paraic McNeela, the banjo originated in Central and West Africa and was introduced to the Americas by enslaved Africans. Over time, it was absorbed into Appalachian and hillbilly music, laying a foundation for what would later be recognized as modern country.
In the late 1930s, Black singer and actor Herb Jeffries starred in and created The Bronze Buckaroo, a Hollywood western musical featuring an all-Black cast. Many of the film’s songs would later be re-recorded by mainstream country artists — a testament to the deep but often under-credited Black influence in the genre.
Trail Ride Culture & 803 Fresh’s “Boots on the Ground”
The urban trail ride movement, deeply rooted in Black cowboy culture and Southern traditions, has recently emerged as a major cultural force. These events go far beyond horses — they’re vibrant gatherings with ATVs, cookouts, music, and family pride, blending rural lifestyle with urban energy.
Out of this movement comes 803 Fresh, whose viral hit “Boots on the Ground” has become a line dance anthem for the trail ride scene. With its country-driven instrumentation and hip-hop bounce, the song has electrified both social media and dance floors, becoming the go-to track at events throughout the Country .
The song’s popularity didn’t stop at the trail ride circuit. It’s since been embraced by country music fans nationwide, making appearances at honky-tonks, line dance bars, and festivals across state lines. From South Carolina to Texas, the boots are down, and the ground is shaking.
A Cultural Crossover with Staying Power
This unexpected yet powerful crossover of country and hip hop showcases a cultural shift — where twang meets trap, and saddles meet sneakers. With artists like 803 Fresh bridging generations and genres, this movement is rewriting the rules of Southern music.
The Rap Up
As more artists and fans unite under the rhythm of this evolving sound, one thing is becoming increasingly clear: this isn’t just a phase — it may be the birth of a new genre altogether. Whether you call it country rap, urban country, or trail ride soul, one message rings true — the South has something to say, and the world is finally listening.
DJ Bobby Eupho
Dallas, Texas
BossTalk 101
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