Accidentally Awful

Paisley’s ‘Accidental Racist’ Bombs

Cringe-inducing duet with LL Cool J.

He’s a little bit country. He’s a little bit…rap. They’re a little bit racist? Country star Brad Paisley recently released a new country-rap hybrid song featuring LL Cool J titled “Accidental Racist.” Shockingly, it’s upsetting a few people—especially those who listen to the lyrics, in which Paisley croons about how his fondness for Confederate flag apparel doesn’t mean he’s racist. Told that some are offended by the track, Paisley tells Entertainment Weekly, “This isn’t a stunt. This isn’t something that I just came up with just to be sort of shocking or anything like that. I knew it would be, but I’m sort of doing it in spite of that, really.” Paisley’s new album, Wheelhouse, which includes “Accidental Release,” comes out Tuesday.