Let’s talk about the buzz surrounding country musician Brian Kelley and his latest single, “Make America Great Again.” Released in July after his performance at the 2024 Republican National Convention, the song quickly became a lightning rod for discussions about Big Tech censorship and the challenges artists face when their music takes on political themes.
Kelley, a Florida native and former member of the country duo Florida Georgia Line, has been keeping a close watch on how his song is being received—or, as he suspects, how it’s being suppressed. He noticed something strange right off the bat: the “share” button on Apple Music was missing for his song. While the issue was resolved after he flagged it on social media, Kelley couldn’t help but wonder if there was more to it than just a technical glitch.
The curious incidents didn’t stop there. When friends and family tried to play his music using Amazon Alexa, the device instead played songs by R&B artist Brian McKnight. Kelley, who appreciates McKnight’s music, found the mix-up “really interesting” and noted that it made him wonder about the algorithms at play.
Instagram also caught Kelley’s attention, with comments supporting his song seemingly hidden from view. Fans reported difficulties sharing the track on their platforms, which only added to Kelley’s concerns about potential censorship. He acknowledged that these kinds of issues have become par for the course when it comes to politically charged content, especially on Big Tech platforms.
Kelley also pointed to Google, claiming that search results related to the recent assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump didn’t appear as they should. While Google denied any manual tampering with the results, Kelley remains skeptical.
Despite these challenges, Kelley isn’t backing down. He emphasized the importance of being vocal and standing firm on his beliefs. “We just have to be louder, and we just can’t back down,” he said, urging others to continue fighting for their voices to be heard.
Spotify, too, has been a mixed bag for Kelley. While his song didn’t make it onto playlists dedicated to new releases, Kelley acknowledged that Spotify has supported his other music, including tracks like “Acres,” “Kiss My Boots,” and “Dirt Road Date Night.” A source close to Spotify assured that the song isn’t censored and would have been removed entirely if it violated any rules, but the platform declined to comment officially.
In a bright spot for Kelley, former President Trump himself shared the song on Truth Social and Instagram, a move that Kelley deeply appreciated. Trump even sent a personal message through Kelley’s production manager, expressing his support. Kelley has heard that Trump has been playing the song on repeat, which was a thrilling endorsement for the country musician.
Kelley also took a moment to thank fellow artists like Jason Aldean, Kid Rock, and John Rich, who have been unapologetically vocal in their music, paving the way for others to do the same. These musicians, known for their patriotism and love of country, have helped open doors for artists like Kelley to navigate the often tricky waters of political expression in the music industry.
