Yelawolf and Shooter Jennings are two artists who have made a name for themselves in their respective genres of rap and country. But are they related to each other? And what is the story behind their debut rock album, Sometimes Y?
The Family Ties
The short answer is no, Yelawolf and Shooter Jennings are not related by blood. However, they do share a connection through another musician: Struggle Jennings.
Struggle Jennings is a rapper and the grandson of country legend Waylon Jennings, who was Shooter’s father. Struggle and Yelawolf have been friends and collaborators for years, and they were both part of Yelawolf’s Slumerican label roster.
Struggle introduced Yelawolf and Shooter to each other, and the two hit it off instantly. They bonded over their love of rock and roll, which was influenced by their parents’ musical tastes.
The Rock Album
Yelawolf and Shooter decided to form a rock band called Sometimes Y, and released their self-titled debut album in May 2022. The album is a departure from Yelawolf’s hip hop roots, but showcases his versatility as a singer and songwriter.
The album features hard rock anthems like “Make Me A Believer”, as well as more melodic tracks like “Moonshiner’s Run”, which blends rap and rock elements. The album also includes guest appearances from Struggle Jennings, Tommy Lee, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and more.
According to Forbes, the duo wanted to make a rock album that paid homage to their influences, but also sounded fresh and original. They worked with some of the best musicians in the world, and recorded the album at the historic RCA Studio A in Nashville.
The duo also performed their first live shows at the legendary Rainbow Bar & Grill and the Viper Room on the Sunset Strip, where they received the stamp of approval from rock fans and icons alike.
The Future
Yelawolf and Shooter have stated that Sometimes Y is not a one-off project, but a new chapter in their musical careers. They plan to continue making rock music together, as well as pursuing their solo endeavors.
Yelawolf has not abandoned his hip hop roots, but rather expanded his musical palette. He still loves rap music, and has hinted at releasing more rap projects in the future.
Shooter Jennings has also maintained his country identity, while exploring other genres and collaborations. He has produced albums for artists like Marilyn Manson, Brandi Carlile, Tanya Tucker, and more.
The duo hopes that their rock album will inspire other artists to experiment with different sounds and styles, and break down the barriers between genres. They believe that music is a universal language that can bring people together..
