Morgan Wallen
HOOCHE RANK
1
The kid from East Tennessee is on fire. One thing at a time crossed genres and brought country music into pop culture in a big way. He's our #1.
Morgan Wallen Photos
About Morgan Wallen
A modern icon in the country music landscape, Morgan Wallen masterfully blends age-old themes such as faith, love, and revelry with a versatile mix of R&B, pop, and rock elements, consistently achieving multi-platinum success. His groundbreaking debut album from 2018, If I Know Me, set records with its prolonged presence on the U.S. Top Country Albums chart. Subsequent albums, including the 2021 hit Dangerous: The Double Album and 2023's One Thing at a Time, have continued this trend, incorporating diverse influences and achieving record-breaking stints on the Billboard 200 Albums chart, including his first Hot 100 number one single "Last Night."
Hailing from Sneedville, Tennessee, and born on May 13, 1993, Wallen spent his childhood in Knoxville, exposed to a musical blend of his preacher father's hard rock preferences and his teacher mother's love for contemporary Christian music. From a tender age, he showcased his musical inclination, singing in church at three and picking up the violin at five. Although he played baseball passionately in high school, an injury redirected his focus towards a career in music.
Wallen's journey into the spotlight began with his participation in The Voice in 2014, where his performances caught the attention of Usher and later Adam Levine. Though eliminated, the exposure led to a fruitful partnership with vocal coach Sergio Sánchez. Wallen subsequently moved to Nashville, forming a brief band before embarking on a solo career.
Upon securing a manager and signing with Big Loud Shirt Music, Wallen's career took off with his 2016 song "The Way I Talk" and his collaboration with Florida Georgia Line on "Up Down" in 2017. His debut album, If I Know Me, achieved platinum status, with singles like "Whiskey Glasses" and "Chasin' You" claiming top spots on charts.
Wallen's success continued to soar with his 2021 double album, Dangerous: The Double Album, which showcased a rich tapestry of romantic and neo-country tracks, achieving quadruple platinum status. Despite facing a brief suspension due to controversial behavior, Wallen bounced back, receiving accolades and awards.
In 2023, Wallen's innovative third album, One Thing at a Time, explored new sonic territories, blending country with alternative rock and hip-hop. The album dominated the Billboard 200 chart, with all tracks entering the Hot 100 and the single "Last Night" clinching the top spot.
Through a seamless blend of traditional themes and contemporary sounds, Morgan Wallen has firmly established himself as one of the most influential country artists of the 21st century.