<\/p>\n
The alt-rock band\u2019s frontwoman details her passion for having diverse crowds and how Stevie Wonder inspired one of their biggest hits.<\/p>\n
Ask any group of Black millennials or even Gen Z, who their favorite rock band is, and one name might come up every time: Paramore<\/a>.<\/p>\n The band\u2018s frontwoman, Hayley Williams, is no stranger to being outspoken about their connection with Black fans and how their shows welcome a sense of community. In a sitdown with the\u00a0New York Times\u2018 Popcast,<\/a> Williams discussed<\/span> the band\u2019s reach, the diversity of their fan base and her beliefs as to why Paramore\u2019s music reaches everyone.<\/p>\n \u201cI do think that having songs like \u2018Ain\u2019t It Fun,\u2019\u00a0when Taylor and I were writing that, we were playing these synth parts and going, \u2018It\u2019s like Stevie Wonder, you know?\u2019\u201d she said. \u201cWe were referencing Black artists only when we were putting that particular song together.\u201d<\/p>\n She added, \u201cI do think the amount of space we decided we were OK taking up and the places we were OK showing up in, just let different people that hadn\u2019t really been privy to what we were doing or what we were about feel a little more welcome to come into the show. The music gives them a space and makes them feel a part of something. That\u2019s the only feeling I\u2019ve wanted since I was a kid in Mississippi. I just wanted to feel a part of something and feel safe in it.\u201d<\/p>\n Williams says she noticed the shift of Black fans becoming big-time Paramore fans around 2013 and the release of their self-titled album, which placed them in different rooms, festivals, and more.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m very passionate that \u2026 we\u2019ve got a long way to go to make people believe that they belong in the world. I think music is not only the easiest, but the most beautiful way to tap into people\u2019s hearts and their subconscious and change their minds.\u201d<\/p>\n Williams isn\u2019t shy about calling out certain things when she sees them. In the same interview, she called out country singer Morgan Wallen, who infamously used the N-word in a 2021 viral video. On \u201cEgo Death at a Bachelorette Party\u201d<\/a> from her recently released solo album, Williams sings, \u201cthe biggest star \/ At this racist country singer\u2019s bar\u201d. When asked who the lyric was referencing in particular, she told the Popcast hosts, \u201cIt could be a couple, but I\u2019m always talking about Morgan Wallen, I don\u2019t give a s\u2013t.\u201d<\/p>\n Watch the video for \u201cAin\u2019t It Fun\u201d with that funky, gospel-like bridge below.<\/p>\n More must-reads:<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n