Category: Entertainment | Title: How Morgan Wallen Became Popular | Tag: Morgan Wallen | Meta Description: When did Morgan Wallen get popular? Key dates, chart milestones, and career turning points that drove his rise in country music...
Early Career and Breakthrough
Morgan Wallen first gained national attention as a contestant on The Voice season 6 in 2014, where he was eliminated in the playoffs. He later signed with Panacea Records and released his debut EP Stand Alone in 2015. His breakthrough came when he was selected for the 2016 country competition show The Voice, which introduced him to a wider audience and led to a management and publishing deal with Big Loud Records. Forbes covered his early career trajectory and label signing.
After The Voice, Wallen released his debut studio album If I Know Me in April 2018 through Big Loud Records and Republic Nashville. The album reached number one on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and produced several hit singles, including "Up Down" featuring Florida Georgia Line. By late 2018, "Whiskey Glasses" became a top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, marking his first sustained mainstream chart presence and signaling his rapid rise in the country music industry.
Peak Popularity and Chart Success
Wallen's biggest commercial surge began with the release of his second studio album Dangerous: The Double Album in January 2021. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and remained there for ten consecutive weeks, making it one of the longest-running chart-toppers in recent history. Singles like "Wasted on You," "7 Summers," and "More Than My Hometown" dominated country radio and streaming platforms, pushing Wallen to the top of Billboard's Year-End charts for both Hot Country Songs and Top Country Albums in 2021.
By mid-2021, Wallen had become one of the most streamed artists in the United States, topping Spotify's global daily chart and breaking records for single-day and weekly streams on the platform. His crossover appeal extended beyond country radio, with songs entering pop and adult contemporary formats. That same year, he was nominated for multiple CMA and ACM awards, further confirming his status as one of the genre's leading commercial forces during that period.
Controversy, Comeback, and Continued Popularity
In early 2021, Wallen faced a significant public controversy after a video surfaced showing him using a racial slur. The incident led to his removal from several radio playlists, awards shows, and media platforms, including a temporary suspension from his label's promotion plans. Despite the backlash, his music streams and sales remained high, and his albums continued to chart, reflecting the strong fanbase he had already built. SEC filings for Big Loud Records and related entities show continued label activity during this period.
Wallen returned to the charts in 2023 with the release of his third studio album One Thing at a Time, which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and produced multiple hit singles, including "Last Night," which topped the Billboard Hot 100. The album's sustained performance, combined with ongoing touring revenue and streaming numbers, demonstrated that his popularity had not only recovered but expanded further. Forbes reported on the album's chart performance and commercial impact. Billboard provided the latest chart data and rankings.