![Morgan Wallen](https://www.billboard.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/03-morgan-wallen-2021-billboard-1548-1612384168.jpg?w=942&h=623&crop=1)
On Tuesday (Feb. 2), TMZ posted a video recorded over the weekend of Morgan Wallen yelling expletives, including the N-word. The country star offered an apology to TMZ, taking responsibility for his words in the grainy video.
“I’m embarrassed and sorry,” Wallen told TMZ. “I used an unacceptable and inappropriate racial slur that I wish I could take back. There are no excuses to use this type of language, ever. I want to sincerely apologize for using the word. I promise to do better.”
In the video, Wallen is seen arriving home with some friends and he advises his pals, who are getting into another car, to “take care” of his buddy twice, adding profanities, including the N-word, at the end.
Fellow country artists Mickey Guyton, Kelsea Ballerini and Maren Morris called Wallen out via Twitter.
Trending on Billboard
The hate runs deep. Smfh https://t.co/VIf4b0bKud
— Mickey Guyton (@MickeyGuyton) February 3, 2021
— MAREN MORRIS (@MarenMorris) February 3, 2021
The news out of Nashville tonight does not represent country music.
— Kelsea Ballerini (@KelseaBallerini) February 3, 2021
the truth is the truth. https://t.co/HocuKJraWa
— Kelsea Ballerini (@KelseaBallerini) February 3, 2021
yup. we’d be dropped, endorsements lost, social pariahs to music row…
— MAREN MORRIS (@MarenMorris) February 3, 2021
It actually IS representative of our town because this isn’t his first “scuffle” and he just demolished a huge streaming record last month regardless. We all know it wasn’t his first time using that word. We keep them rich and protected at all costs with no recourse.
— MAREN MORRIS (@MarenMorris) February 3, 2021
This is not the first time Wallen has had to apologize in the last several months. In May, he was arrested and charged with public intoxication and disorderly conduct after being kicked out of Kid Rock’s bar in Nashville.
In October, he posted an Instagram apology after his Saturday Night Live performance was canceled when he didn’t follow proper COVID-19 protocols. He later appeared on the comedy show in December.
Wallen’s new LP Dangerous: The Double Album is in its third week atop the Billboard 200, making it the first country album to do so in eight years.
Wallen’s representative verified his statement to TMZ.