Country rap is a musical genre that blends elements of hip hop, rock, and country music. It has been around since the 1980s, but gained more popularity in the 2000s and 2010s with artists like Kid Rock, Bubba Sparxxx, Colt Ford, and Yelawolf. Among the current stars of country rap are Shooter Jennings and Struggle Jennings, two musicians who share not only a similar style, but also a family connection. How are they related? Let’s find out.
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Shooter Jennings: The Son of Outlaw Country Legends
Shooter Jennings was born on May 19, 1979, in Nashville, Tennessee. His birth name is Waylon Albright Jennings, and he is the son of two famous country singers: Waylon Jennings and Jessi Colter. His father was one of the pioneers of the outlaw country movement in the 1970s, along with Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, and Kris Kristofferson. His mother was also a successful solo artist and a member of the country supergroup The Highwaymen with her husband and his friends.
Shooter grew up surrounded by music and musicians. He learned to play drums, piano, and guitar at an early age, and often joined his father on stage. He also inherited his father’s rebellious spirit and eclectic taste. He experimented with different genres, such as industrial rock, southern rock, and country rock. He formed his own band called Stargunn in 2001, and moved to Los Angeles to pursue his musical career.
In 2005, he released his debut solo album, Put the “O” Back in Country, which featured a mix of traditional and modern country sounds. The album was well received by critics and fans, and spawned the hit single “4th of July”. Since then, he has released seven more studio albums, exploring various themes and styles. His latest album, Shooter, came out in 2018, and was praised for its authentic and fun approach to country music.
Shooter has also been involved in other projects, such as producing albums for other artists (including Tanya Tucker, Brandi Carlile, and Marilyn Manson), hosting a radio show on SiriusXM called “Electric Rodeo”, acting in movies and TV shows (such as Walk the Line and The Ranch), and creating graphic novels and video games (such as Black Ribbons and Countach).
Struggle Jennings: The Grandson of Country Royalty
Struggle Jennings was born on May 31, 1980, also in Nashville, Tennessee. His birth name is William Curtis Harness Jr., and he is the grandson of Jessi Colter and the step-grandson of Waylon Jennings. His biological grandfather is Duane Eddy, a legendary rock guitarist who influenced many musicians with his twangy sound. His uncle is Shooter Jennings, from whom he adopted his stage name.
Struggle had a troubled childhood and adolescence. He was exposed to drugs and violence at an early age, and dropped out of school. He became involved in criminal activities, such as selling drugs and guns. He was arrested several times, and spent some years in prison. During his incarceration, he discovered his passion for rap music. He started writing lyrics and recording songs on a tape recorder.
In 2013, he released his first album, I Am Struggle, which chronicled his life story and struggles. The album caught the attention of Yelawolf, a popular rapper who also blended hip hop and country influences. Yelawolf signed Struggle to his label Slumerican, and featured him on his mixtape Wyte Dawg.
After being released from prison in 2016, Struggle continued to make music with a message of redemption and hope. He collaborated with his longtime friend Jelly Roll on a series of albums called Waylon & Willie (named after their musical heroes), which combined rap beats with country melodies and lyrics. He also worked with his mother Jenni Eddy Jennings on an EP called Spiritual Warfare, and with his daughter Brianna Harness on another EP called Sunny Days.
In 2019, he released his first solo studio album since 2011 called The Widow’s Son via his own label Angels & Outlaws. The album featured guest appearances by Bubba Sparxxx , Jeremy Penick , Julie Roberts , Alexander King , and Yelawolf . In 2020 , he teamed up with Adam Calhoun for two albums called Legend and Outlaw Shit , which showcased their raw and gritty style of country rap.
Conclusion
Shooter Jennings and Struggle Jennings are two talented artists who have carved their own niche in the music industry. They are both influenced by their family legacy of country music , but they have also incorporated elements of rap , rock , and other genres into their sound . They are both related by blood , but they have also developed a mutual respect and admiration for each other’s work . They are both examples of how country rap can be diverse and innovative , and how music can be a powerful tool for expression and transformation.
