Country is cool: Outside world invades Music City’s territory at CMT Music Awards

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Country music has been good to the rapper Nelly, and he’s back in Music City because of it.

Nelly will perform the crossover hit “Cruise” with country duo Florida Georgia Line on Wednesday night during the CMT Music Awards in Nashville, Tenn.

The fan-voted awards show will air live at 8 p.m. Eastern from the Bridgestone Arena. Jason Aldean hosts with actress Kristen Bell.

The imaginary, but once impenetrable, lines between American music genres are blurring more each day, and Nelly’s happy to serve as an eraser.

He says the Internet has helped integrate music and “it’s a beautiful thing.” More than any of the legion of country music honours shows, the CMT Awards have helped push boundaries. Nelly’s not the first rapper to appear, and rockers like Lenny Kravitz, who will perform with co-host Aldean, are common as well.

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