Darius Rucker has had a long and successful career in the music industry, first as the frontman of Hootie and the Blowfish and then as a solo country artist. But with success comes scrutiny, and Rucker has faced his fair share of criticism and challenges along the way.
In a recent interview with Rolling Stone, Rucker reflected on his journey and the ups and downs that have come with it. He also addressed his recent misdemeanor arrest and the controversy surrounding fellow country artist Morgan Wallen.
Rucker’s career began in the early 1990s when Hootie and the Blowfish burst onto the scene with their debut album, “Cracked Rear View.” The album became one of the best-selling albums of all time, and the band quickly rose to fame. However, with fame came backlash, and Rucker and his bandmates were often criticized for their mainstream success and labeled as “sellouts.”
“When you’re the nice guys, people want to knock you down,” Rucker said in the interview. “We were just four guys from South Carolina who loved playing music, and suddenly we were thrust into the spotlight. We never expected that kind of success, and it was hard to handle at times.”
Despite the criticism, Hootie and the Blowfish continued to make music and achieved more success with their subsequent albums. But in 2008, the band went on hiatus, and Rucker embarked on a solo career in country music.
Many were skeptical of Rucker’s transition to country music, but he proved his critics wrong with his debut album, “Learn to Live,” which produced three number one singles. He has since released several more successful albums and has become a staple in the country music scene.
But even as a successful country artist, Rucker has faced challenges and criticism. In February 2021, he was arrested for a misdemeanor charge of driving under the influence. Rucker addressed the incident in the interview, stating that he takes full responsibility for his actions and is working to make things right.
“I made a mistake, and I’m owning up to it,” Rucker said. “I’m grateful that no one was hurt, and I’m taking the necessary steps to make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
Rucker also spoke about the controversy surrounding Morgan Wallen, who was caught using a racial slur in a video that went viral. Rucker, who has been vocal about his support for diversity and inclusion in the country music industry, expressed disappointment in Wallen’s actions but also called for forgiveness and understanding.
“We all make mistakes, and it’s important to learn from them and do better,” Rucker said. “I hope Morgan takes this as an opportunity to grow and educate himself, and I hope the industry continues to make progress towards inclusivity and acceptance.”
As for his own career, Rucker shows no signs of slowing down. He recently released a new single, “My Masterpiece,” and is working on a new album. He also has a book coming out in May, titled “When Was the Last Time,” which reflects on his life and career.
“I’m grateful for everything I’ve been able to accomplish in my career,” Rucker said. “But I’m always looking forward and striving to be better. That’s all anyone can do.”
