What Do You Mean You Don't Know It?

Key Points:

• Ella Langley's country hit "Choosin' Texas" dominated the Billboard Hot 100 all summer, setting a record for the longest-running Number One, yet many people, including celebrities like Doja Cat, claim to have never heard of it.
• The phenomenon of some not encountering the song is attributed to personalized algorithms and fragmented media consumption, which create curated experiences that may exclude certain genres like country music.
• The dismissal of "Choosin' Texas" and country music more broadly often serves as a cultural marker, signaling class, taste, and political identity, with some using ignorance of the song as a way to distance themselves from rural or Southern stereotypes.
• Such attitudes can reinforce stereotypes and misunderstandings about rural traditions and people, as seen in reactions to Langley's personal interests being politicized without basis.
• The article suggests that instead of claiming ignorance, people should seek to broaden their exposure and understanding by exploring new music and perspectives beyond their usual media bubbles.