Morgan Wallen has won Album of the Year at the Academy of Country Music Awards, a year after being suspended from his label for racial slurs.
The US singer didn’t address the controversy directly, but thanked those who “showed me mercy along the way” as he accepted his award in Las Vegas.
Wallen apologized last year after video surfaced of him shouting the N-word outside his Nashville home.
The resulting furore didn’t stop the album from staying at number one for 10 weeks.
Dangerous sold more than three million copies despite its music being removed from thousands of US country music radio and television stations. Wallen’s label Big Loud reinstated him four months later.
The Academy of Country Music disfellowshipped him for last year’s awards, but he picked up this year’s award for Dangerous: The Double Album.
- Radio stations drop country star over racial slur
- US country star dropped from label for racial slur
- Morgan Wallen apologizes over video for racial slur
While many tweeted their congratulations below a video clip of Wallen accepting his award posted to the ACM Twitter account, some were not pleased with the recognition.
The prestigious annual awards ceremony returned to Nevada this year after previously being broadcast from various US locations due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Country star Dolly Parton hosted the ceremony and dedicated it to the people of Ukraine.
The Jolene singer joked that she would “rather pass a kidney stone” than get political, but urged viewers to “send love and hope to our brothers and sisters in Ukraine.”
She added, “Why don’t we just dedicate this whole show to them and pray for peace in this crazy old world?”
Other winners included Miranda Lambert, who was named Entertainer of the Year. Carly Pierce won best artist and Chris Stapleton won best man.
Add Comment