Williams names Morgan Wallen racist in Ego Death's title track

Hayley Williams said on a recent podcast that Morgan Wallen is the country singer she refers to as racist in the title track of her solo album Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party. On an episode hosted by Jon Caramanica and Joe Coscarelli, the Paramore frontwoman identified Wallen when asked which artist she had in mind while singing about being the biggest star "At this racist country singer's bar," saying, "It could be a couple, but I'm always talking about Morgan Wallen, I don't give a shit," and adding, "Find me at Whole Foods, bitch, I don't care."

Williams made the remarks while discussing lyrical references on her third solo record, which she released independently after leaving her prior label. She has incorporated themes of social and racial history in the album, noting references to Billie Holiday's "Strange Fruit" and local histories in Franklin, Tennessee. On the podcast she said she is outspoken about racial issues, adding, "I'm never not ready to scream at the top of my lungs about racial issues."

Wallen has been a polarizing figure in country music since a widely circulated 2021 video showed him using a racial slur. That incident prompted industry and commercial...