In a Friday (Feb. 16) statement to local newspaper The Tennesseean, the frontwoman wrote, “Allison Russell is an incredibly talented musician and songwriter” whose music “spans genres with strong ties to the Folk/Americana scenes.” “You might have seen her on the Grammy stage performing with the great Joni Mitchell,” she continued.
Williams went on to address what she sees as the crux of the issue: racism, particularly on the part of House Republican Caucus Chair Jeremy Faison. His Feb. 12 objection to the decree honoring Russell’s 2024 best American roots performance win pushed the resolution back to committee, a move seen as “a death knell for resolutions, though it technically could be brought back to the House for another vote,” explains The Tennesseean. Meanwhile, Faison had no qualms with passing a resolution celebrating Paramore’s best rock album and best alternative music performance wins.
“Oh, she is also Black,” wrote the “Still Into You” singer of Russell. “She’s a brilliant Black woman. The blatant racism of our state leadership is embarrassing and cruel.”
The singer was appearing on the Black People Love Paramore podcast, and was asked by host Sequoia Holmes which black artists she would like to work with.“It’s been SZA for a long time, because I love her voice,” Williams responded. “But also — ah man, there’s too many, to be honest with you.”
