Kanye West, Coi Leray, and Drake are among the artists on Variety’s Worst Songs of 2023 list.
Coming in the #1 spot is “Try That in a Small Town” by country music star Jason Aldean.
Aldean is accused of promoting gun violence and racism on the track. As reported by The Jasmine Brand, the video was shot in front of the historic Maury County Courthouse in Columbia, Tennessee. This is where 18-year-old Henry Choate was lynched from a second-floor window in 1927 by a white mob after being accused of raping a white girl.
After the music video’s release, social media users called the song a “pro-lynching” anthem and accused the artist of being racist.
The second track on Variety’s list of Worst Songs of 2023 is “Vultures,” by Kanye West and Ty Dolla Sign, featuring Bump J. In it, Ye raps, “How am I antisemitic? I just f***** a Jewish b****.”
West returned to Instagram on December 26 to issue an apology to the Jewish community following his anti-Semitic rant last year. The message, written in Hebrew, read: “I sincerely apologize to the Jewish community for any ‘unintended outburst.’ I did not intend to hurt or demean, and I deeply regret any pain I may have caused. I am committed to starting with myself and learning from this experience to ensure greater sensitivity and understanding in the future. Your forgiveness is important to me, and I am committed to making amends and promoting unity.”
Meanwhile, Coi Leray is twice listed on Variety’s list. She’s at #4 for “Baby Don’t Hurt Me” with David Guetta and Anne Marie and her song “My Body.”
Drake takes the #9 spot for his song “Search and Rescue.”
Nicki Minaj also made the list for her collaboration with Kim Petras on “Alone.”
Variety also criticized “We Didn’t Start the Fire” by Fall Out Boy; “Mind Your Business” by will.i.am and Britney Spears; and “Vulgar” by Sam Smith and Madonna.