Within the heart of America lies good old country music. First produced in the 1920s, country music originated in the Southern United States. Its primary focus tends to be the American working class and the blue-collar life of many Americans in the United States. With this country music, spreads the country aesthetic amongst the lives of thousands of people. This trend has spread through the youth of the country, specifically onto college campuses. Sororities and fraternities profit off this southern charm, drawing people closer to the country lifestyle.
Although the genre has had its peaks, it never really saw a lot of radio time, until now. Thanks to artists like Zach Bryan, Morgan Wallen, Luke Combs, and more, there has been an all time spike in listening activity. With these new country songs being released, more and more people are turning to this country lifestyle. Gen Z and Millennials seem to love the country aesthetic, popularizing cowboy boots, southern style clothing, and even southern style living. This overwhelming new fanbase has sold out concerts and created a widespread trend with everyone sharing in the country love.
In recent years, groups such as sororities and fraternities have become extremely popular. On the social media platform TikTok, there has been a big commotion around Bama Rush. This takes place at the University of Alabama, and is a time when many students attempt to pledge into a sorority or fraternity. It includes themed events, fun parties, and a ton of commitment. During this time, people have begun to post videos of themselves, describing their extravagant outfits, what’s in their bags, and their days as a whole. This almost surreal atmosphere they depict lures people into this world, ultimately spreading the country lifestyle which is embedded in the Bama Rush culture. The whole rushing or pledging process seems so unreal that people are infatuated by the aesthetic of it all. The people posting may appear out of touch with society, however, these aren’t your typical influencers. Most are normal people who are genuinely in a bubble of Bama and the viewers often crave to be inside the bubble of fun and partying as well. So with this rising popularity of the country aesthetic and music, it has posed the question: is country here to stay? With that, I would argue that this trend most likely will become a norm in our society. Country is about patriotism, love, heart-break, struggle, and the American Dream. This embodies America as a whole and what it promotes. With more people being introduced to it, it is not only spreading, but is becoming a staple in the lives of many.