Worlds collide in the name of unity and love as trans icon RuPaul and two-time Grammy award-winning artist Tanya Tucker joined forces for a unique collaboration, “This Is Our Country.”
Written by RuPaul, Tom Campbell, Leland, and Freddy Scott, the empowering ballad finds Tanya Tucker and RuPaul singing about overcoming all obstacles in their path — including prejudice. It beautifully combined hip-hop beats with the country hitmaker’s gravelly-sweet vocal and the drag superstar’s inspirational tone as they spread a message of diversity. It also made some references to Patsy Cline and Johnny Cash‘s classic hits.
The country-rap ballad first appeared on the ultimate episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars Season 6, which aired last September 2. It was the longest All-Stars season to date, wherein the new top four queens competed one last time. One of their tasks was to write and perform the track’s original verse after receiving some words of wisdom and inspiration from the country legend herself. Tucker paid a visit into the show’s renowned Werk Room through video chat to share insight from her almost half-a-century-long career in country music.
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While the pairing may be unlikely, Tucker and RuPaul are actually longtime friends. The country legend has made appearances on some of RuPaul’s shows back in the day, and this includes as a guest judge on the second season of RuPaul’s Drag Race.
This was also Tucker’s first new music since her comeback album While I’m Livin’ in 2019. The remarkable record was produced by Brandi Carlile and took home a Grammy for Best Country Album. Sadly, Tucker recently announced the cancellation of all of her scheduled 2021 tour dates, citing the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and her ongoing recovery from an emergency hip surgery.
In the meantime, make sure to listen to RuPaul and Tanya Tucker’s “This Is Our Country” in the video below.
