Kane Brown is a special kind of artist, in that he seemingly can't stop breaking new ground.
At the 2022 MTV VMAs, he became the first male country artist to take the stage at the ceremony. There and then, he performed his new single "Grand," a hip-hop-heavy declaration of achieving his dreams and living the good life.
"Grand" is a reflection of where Brown is now both in his career and his personal life, feeling lighter and happier in what we might call the "post-pandemic" era. This change also prompted the title track of his new album Different Man, where Brown audibly hits his stride alongside featured artist Blake Shelton. "What if I was made for the stage?" goes the exultant chorus. "What if I was made for the lights?/ What if I was chosen to write the stories?"
These lines form the ideal clarion call for Different Man, which dropped Sept. 9 — and this bold blend of genres, as heard on tunes like "Bury Me in Georgia," "See You Like I Do," and "Drunk or Dreamin'," reflects just another enticing chapter in his ongoing evolution.
Past collaborations with artists including H.E.R., John Legend and Khalid prove that Brown is well versed in all types of music. Still, this is the first time we are seeing Brown really push aural boundaries for a full album, infusing traditional country music with elements of hip-hop, rock and R&B. Indeed, Different Man is aptly titled; Kane is transforming before our ears.
Just ahead of the release of Different Man, Brown announced a North American tour. The Drunk Or Dreaming tour includes 25 dates throughout the US, following an international trek throughout Canada, Europe and Australia.
Brown spoke with GRAMMY.com about the upcoming tour, the new album, and pushing boundaries within country music.
This interview has been edited for clarity.
How did you settle on the title of Different Man?
Well, the song is what got me for the title, but recently I've just kind of felt different when it comes to everything, you know. We went through the quarantine and I was super-depressed and felt like literal gum on the bottom of my shoe, basically.
After freaking out about this album and being really nervous, we got the finished product, then I absolutely loved it. I just love playing my shows now. I just kind of found my sound, like I just feel like a completely different man. I'm just a really happy person right now.
What was making you nervous about the album?
Usually, every artist would be nervous about any album, I would say. I've always heard that the third album was like, make or break. So yeah, I guess that was kinda that was in the back of my head. But now this is the most excited I've ever been.
The way you broke into country music is interesting. You used social media and streaming to kind of get around the traditional systems. So, you've always kind of been outside the box, and this new album pushes the boundaries aurally. Do you think that you felt like you had a little bit more freedom, because you've taken a different route?
I would say just because I came in looking different, I came in releasing what I wanted. I've never been scared to release songs that we want to release. I feel like a lot of artists don't do it because they feel like they have a certain sound that they have to stay with.
That's not the case for me. I grew up around all types of music and culture. I think that's what's different with me — the people who support me know that I'll never actually leave country music. So, that gives me the freedom to experiment a little bit.
Do you think that with you pushing those boundaries and experimenting you'll reach a different audience outside of country music? And are you interested in or open to them?
Yeah, and that's another reason I've been doing it — because I'm trying to open more doors. The biggest thing that I hate is when people say country music is boring. Or when we get looked down on at awards. And it really makes me so mad because country artists can keep up with any artists in any other genre in ticket sales and things. So it really makes me mad when people just look down on country music.
People say country music is just sad songs. I've had the argument, especially as a person of color trying to convince people it's valid. I think it'll really give people a different perspective on what country music can be.
I hope so. I hope it comes across.
For this album, you've written with Ernest, Josh Thompson, Natalie Stovall and Shy Carter. Do you have any really memorable songwriting experiences as you were putting the album together?
It's always memorable when Ernest is around. He's just a funny guy, there's never a dull moment. He's so talented. Honestly, all those writers are. I write with those writers all the time. I usually go off of the word family. But I'm not just talking about my family; I'm talking about the writers I write with, the people I work with in Nashville. So, all that's what all those writers are. It's always memorable.
Did you start writing this album during quarantine or after?
It was right after the pandemic started. And that's another thing. I was really nervous because we were talking about releasing the album, and then we couldn't go in rooms with people. So then, I'm just really not feeling anything over Zoom. So I was like, "I'm not getting any songs for this album."
I was terrified. Then, it just kind of all opened up at once — and I've never had more confidence in it.
I'm sure you have a lot of favorites on the album, especially the duet with your wife. That must be special.
Yeah, so that's what I'm really pumped about. I have a lot of them: "Thank God," of course, with my wife. To me, that's going to be the biggest song on the record — just because, to me, it's so good. And then Kate sounds absolutely amazing. My fans have been waiting, like, five years for a duet from us.
Another one I really love is "Drunk or Dreaming." It's very beachy. It makes me happy when I listen to it. It makes me wanna open up a Corona. I don't think I really have one of those songs that sounds like that.
"Bury Me in Georgia" — I absolutely love that one. Super rockin', kinda swampy.
"Riot" was one of my favorites from the album. It caught me off guard, in a really good way. Can you tell me more about it?
So, "Riot" is intriguing, right? It just comes straight in with vocals.
I didn't write it. I had the song in 2015. This was when I first met Akon; his artist had it and I said I wanted it. When they gave it to me, it was super hip-hop. Then, I took it to Dann Huff, and [he] turned it into rock and roll.
We've held on to it because a lot of people that first listen to it, it's controversial, how they take the meaning. For me, it's just saying: If you mess with my family, I'mma mess you up. But then a lot of people have also been talking about George Floyd, and all that stuff. I don't know if it's them trying to get a media outlet or if that's just how they hear the song. But regardless, that's why I love music. Because everybody can take different things away from it.
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You just announced your Drunk Or Dreaming Tour. Are you going to take your family with you on tour so you and [your wife] Katelyn can sing your duet?
Yeah they usually always come out with me. The only thing that sucks is that they won't come to Australia. Then, Kate will probably come to Europe, but the babies won't. Then the new tour, starting in March, that's with Dustin [Lynch] and Gabby [Barrett] and Locash, they should be at every show.
Does it feel different touring now that you're a parent?
I would say the only difference is my youngest, Kodi. It's a little hard having her. Because at 7 o'clock the bus is dead quiet. No noise. I used to always bring my boys and party — hang out. Now, you make any noise, and my wife is throwing her flip-flop at you.
It's good that you get to take them with you.
You know, that's one of the things I've always talked about is growing up without a dad. So it's cool to get to have them with me all the time and feel like I don't ever have to miss anything.
What can fans look forward to on the tour?
I just want to say it's going to be so much fun. You will not be disappointed. I've never been so stoked to tour. I'm telling you: I just feel completely different.
I want to talk a bit about just how the country music industry is changing. How do you feel about that and what would you like to see going forward?
I think it's changing for the better. This is the most popular that country music's been in a while, but it's still growing. I see a lot of times where people are kind of saying, you know, "I'm just now getting into the country music scene," which I love.
Definitely a lot more color, which I also love. We got me, Mickey [Guyton], Jimmie [Allen], my boy Breland, Willie Jones, so many more coming in. And then you got Kat and Alex. I just love it so much, so much color coming in. Beautiful people. I can't wait to see where it goes in another year, another two years.
Are there any of the artists that are coming in from the newer, more diverse generation that you're really looking forward to working with?
I really want to work with Breland. We actually wrote some super cool songs together, it just didn't make sense for the album. But he's so talented, and definitely needs to be heard more.
I would honestly do one with any of those artists that I mentioned. I'm surprised me and Jimmie Allen haven't done one yet.
I'm waiting for you and Brittney Spencer to do a song together, personally.
She's so sweet. Yeah, we gotta make that happen, too. That's gonna be my next goal. I'll definitely have songs with all of them — if not all of us on one song.