How Tanner Adell Amplified Country Music During BET Awards

Tanner Adell represented country music when she hit the Nissan Mobile Studio stage during the 2024 BET Awards on Sunday (June 30).

The “Whiskey Blues” brought the BET Awards audience to its feet, performing her fan-favorite hit, "Buckle Bunny," and her new single, "Cowboy Break My Heart."

Adell, who celebrated her 28th birthday on Thursday (June 27), has been rising in the country genre. Notably, she was one of several artists featured on Beyoncé ’s hotly-anticipated country-themed album, COWBOY CARTER , which arrived earlier this year. The reigning 2024 iHeartRadio Music Awards Innovator Award recipient featured Adell on “ Blackbiird ,” along with Brittney Spencer , Tiera Kennedy and Reyna Roberts . The four artists got blackbird-inspired tattoos to commemorate the collaboration (Adell showed iHeartCountry her tattoo on the red carpet at the 2024 CMT Music Awards earlier this year, and spoke with us about accomplishing one of her biggest career goals by appearing on the album). Adell has since released her singles “Whiskey Blues,” and “Too Easy,” appearing on the star-studded Twisters album for the movie set to release on July 19.

“It is time to give credit where credit is due: Black musicians played a major role in developing the sound and style of country music,” BET shared earlier this month, paying tribute to Linda Martell , DeFord Bailey , Charley Pride , The Pointer Sisters and others who paved the way for modern artists like Adell, Shaboozey , The War and Treaty , Roberts, Willie Jones and many more. “From our instruments to our Southern gospel hymns, the genre began with us. Over the years, our contributions have been minimized, but that’s no longer the case. We’re acknowledging our history and the legends who shaped the genre and celebrating the renaissance of Black country music artists who are taking over the charts and the internet.”

The 2024 BET Awards, hosted by actress Taraji P. Henson , included an all-star list of performers taking the stage throughout the evening: Ms. Lauryn Hill and YG Marley , Ice Spice , Tyla , GloRilla , Latto , Muni Long , Sexyy Red , Shaboozy , Victoria Monét , Will Smith and Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Usher . Check back with iHeartRadio for 2024 BET Awards coverage, including a live-updated list of winners throughout the evening.