Tate McRae has been steadily rising to fame in the pop culture landscape since her early years. Beginning her journey as an award-winning dancer by the age of ten, she has dedicated significant effort to her artistic pursuits. After eight years of hard work, the Canadian singer has made her mark on the charts with her albums, Think Later and So Close To What. However, she now finds herself precariously close to jeopardizing the career she has painstakingly built due to a controversial collaboration.
The announcement that Tate McRae will be featured on Morgan Wallen’s upcoming album, titled I’m The Problem, has ignited a wave of outrage and disillusionment across social media. Wallen, while commercially successful, is no stranger to controversy. He frequently garners media attention for both his chart-topping hits and problematic behavior.
Tate McRae and Morgan Wallen’s Confirmed Duet
McRae Will Feature on the Song “What I Want”
The announcement of this collaboration arrived almost unnoticed. According to Rolling Stone, the tracklist for Wallen’s new album was shared casually on his fan account’s Instagram channel, revealing McRae’s feature on the track “What I Want.”Notably, the overlap between Wallen’s country music followers and McRae’s pop fanbase is minimal, leading to a delayed reaction to the news.
As for expectations surrounding this collaboration, there is uncertainty. Tate McRae’s music typically aligns with the pop genre, heavily influenced by early 2000s R&B, and she has not previously ventured into country music. Her closest brush with the genre was a TikTok clip where she sang “I Had Some Help,”a song by Post Malone featuring Morgan Wallen. Despite captioning it “lil country gal at heart,”it is unclear whether country is a fitting genre for her artistic identity.
Morgan Wallen’s Controversies
Why Artists Are Wary of Wallen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXg51E7XjXY
Morgan Wallen’s trajectory has been marred by a series of controversies that have tarnished his reputation. Even with his commercial success, he remains cautious in collaborating with prominent artists, possibly out of concern that their image could be affected by his negative press.
Today reports that Wallen has faced legal issues stemming from his behavior under the influence of alcohol, including a DUI charge in 2016 and various incidents involving reckless conduct. Notably, in 2024, he faced charges for endangering public safety after throwing a chair from a high rooftop bar in Nashville.
Wallen’s most notorious moment came in 2021 when he used a racial slur in a video, leading to widespread condemnation. The fallout included being banned from prestigious award ceremonies such as the Billboard Music Awards and the American Music Awards, raising questions about his public persona and the normalization of such behavior.
What Will This Mean for Tate McRae’s Career?
McRae May Face a Career-Defining Downfall
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVG807Biok4
Fans have expressed significant discontent regarding Tate McRae’s partnership with Wallen. Some have drawn parallels between this collaboration and instances when R&B or hip-hop artists worked with Chris Brown after facing serious allegations. Meechan Whitson Meriweather on Threads likened McRae’s situation to Tinashe’s collaboration with Brown, which was linked through their mutual label, RCA Records. The notable absence of such a connection here adds to the bafflement surrounding McRae’s choice.
Nonetheless, supporters argue that McRae is likely bound by contractual obligations to remain associated with the project. This situation echoes Ariana Grande’s experience in 2014 when she backed out of a project with Chris Brown after allegations arose. Although Grande completed the work before distancing herself, it demonstrated artists’ challenges in navigating involvements with controversial figures.
According to Rolling Stone, singer Noah Kahan was once credited as a writer on Wallen’s upcoming track “Your Turn”but subsequently withdrew after fan backlash, illustrating that artists can potentially sever ties if necessary.
Tate McRae finds herself in a precarious situation. Having already collaborated with Wallen, she is likely entwined in contractual commitments with his label. While her management may see this as a beneficial career move, the rationale remains unclear. This collaboration could introduce her to a broader audience, yet the appeal of her pop sound may not resonate with country listeners. Rumors have surfaced that she previously abandoned a project with rising artist Tyla, further highlighting the discontent among her fanbase regarding this decision. Only time will reveal the impact of this collaboration; it holds the potential to either elevate or hinder McRae’s trajectory in the music industry.