Film launches on Apr 7th on Amazon Music & Prime Video

Amazon Music will release For Love & Country on April 7th via Amazon Music and Prime Video. Examining country music’s evolution through the lens of a new generation of black artists, the film will feature interviews and performances from Jimmie Allen, Blanco Brown, Breakthrough Artist for Amazon Music Breland, Shy Carter, Mickey Guyton, Willie Jones, Valerie June, Amythyst Kiah, Reyna Roberts, Allison Russell, Brittney Spencer, and Frankie Staton.

Directed by director and photographer Joshua Kissi, the film is a new Amazon Music Original feature-length documentary that proclaims country music has always been black music. The genre not only owes part of its origin story to black musicians, but through its history, prominent black voices have pushed the genre forward with little recognition or fanfare.

“What I’ve come to realize is country music as a genre is just as complex as this country itself,” states Joshua Kissi. “Now is the moment to stand up for the voices that have always mattered throughout time, especially the musicians who didn’t get the credit when it was due.”

“I’ve always believed in the old saying, ‘if you can see it, you can be it,’” shares Mickey Guyton. “However, it’s no secret there has been a lack of representation of black artists in mainstream country music for years. That’s why I hope little black girls growing up now can see us, artists like Brittney, Reyna, Amythyst, Allison, Valerie, Frankie and me, and know they have a place here in country music. We all do.”

For Love & Country is an exploration of the space between myth and reality of a genre, an industry, and a city. A new crop of black artists are seeking to change country’s long-held identity as music by-and-for white audiences. Local Nashville residents will also be featured, including journalist and New York Times bestselling author Andrea Williams, Davidson County criminal court clerk and former vice mayor Howard Gentry, academic and author Amanda Marie Martínez, and rapper Mike Floss.

In tandem with the trailer, Amazon Music has released “Black Myself,” an Amazon Original acoustic version of breakout star Amythyst Kiah’s incredible song, recorded during the filming process only for Amazon Music listeners. Additional Amazon Original songs by artists featured in the film will also be available.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOA4tZpoCp4&feature=youtu.be&ab_channel=AmazonMusic