Brian Kelley Seemingly Calls Out Former Florida Georgia Line Bandmate Tyler Hubbard in New Song
Brian Kelley, Tyler Hubbard Shane Anthony Sinclair/Getty Images; Jason Kempin/Getty Images
Florida Georgia Line fans are wondering if Brian Kelley is taking a jab at his ex-bandmate Tyler Hubbard. After releasing his new song "Kiss My Boots" on March 6th, listeners are talking about the lyrics that hint at Kelley feeling betrayed and someone speaking negatively about him.
He sang on the track, expressing his desire for the world to know that he was mistreated by someone who acted sweet despite their wrongdoing.
In the music video, Kelley appeared to hint at a feud as he hunted a snake. The video ended with a close-up shot of his belt, which had the word "Florida" on it. Fans know that Kelley represents the Florida aspect of Florida Georgia Line, while Hubbard represents "Georgia."
Kelley’s solo career comes after he and Hubbard took a hiatus from their country band Florida Georgia Line. They formed their duo in 2010 and released four albums before rumors of a rift over political differences surfaced.
“I unfollowed BK for a few days during the political tension around the election,” Hubbard shared on SiriusXM’s Exit 209 in 2020. “I even called him to explain that I still love him a lot in real life, but I needed a break from his social media posts. It wasn’t personal - he’s still my brother. I just needed a break from seeing it every time I opened Instagram. It wasn’t a big deal.”
After releasing their fifth album in 2021, the musicians announced they would be taking a break.
During a radio interview in May 2022, one of the band members mentioned that they still have around 10 or 11 shows left for the year. He added, "After that, we'll be taking a break, so if you want to catch us live, this is the year to do it." As for what comes next, he admitted, "I'm not sure about our plans. But at the end of the day, we're like brothers. We'll always have each other's backs and support each other, and that's what really matters."
Their most recent Florida Georgia Line concert was held at the Minnesota State Fair.
Hubbard expressed his gratitude to the audience in 2022, stating that they have enabled him and Kelley to pursue their dream of writing songs and performing. He called the performance a significant moment, marking the end of a remarkable chapter in their lives. Looking ahead, they are excited for the future and the new opportunities it holds, but they also want to celebrate and cherish the memories made during this chapter with their fans.
Kelley has not addressed the rumors about the lyrics of "Kiss My Boots", but he recently shared that writing the song was a "healing" experience.
In a press release, Kelley mentioned, "Everyone copes differently. For me, I focused on my work and kept myself busy. I'm proud of how I handled it. It was worth it." He added, "Now, I have a song that supported me through a tough time. I hope 'Kiss My Boots' can do the same for many others by boosting their confidence and helping them reclaim their strength."
Kelley shared that the inspiration for his song "Kiss My Boots" came from a difficult period in his life, when a mental health coach advised him to take the high road. Despite the challenges he faced, he followed the advice and took time to reflect on his emotions.
In a recent Instagram post, Kelley mentioned how tough it was to stay positive during that time, but he chose to step back and observe the situation rather than react impulsively. He described his process of introspection as eating popcorn, a metaphor for patiently watching events unfold.
Kelley emphasized that everyone copes with hardships in their own way, and for him, it led to the creation of a new song. He hinted that now it's the audience's turn to sit back, relax, and enjoy the show as they listen to his latest release.
Editor's P/S:
The lyrics of Brian Kelley's new song, "Kiss My Boots," have sparked speculation that he is taking aim at his former Florida Georgia Line bandmate, Tyler Hubbard. Kelley's lyrics hint at betrayal and negativity, while the music video features him hunting a snake and prominently displays his "Florida" belt buckle. These elements have led fans to believe that Kelley is expressing his resentment towards Hubbard.
Despite the rumors, Kelley has not publicly addressed the lyrics' potential meaning. However, he has stated that the song was a "healing" experience for him during a difficult period in his life. Kelley has also emphasized the importance of taking the high road and coping with adversity in a positive way. While the true meaning of the lyrics remains unclear, it is evident that Kelley has gone through a transformative experience and is using his music to express his emotions and inspire others.