Granger Smith teamed up with Christian rap artist Lathan Warlick for a remix of "That's Why I Love Dirt Roads" several weeks ago. Now, in response to the recent protests and movement against systemic racism in America, he's released the studio version.
When Smith initially shared the remix with fans on May 27, he explained how the "unlikely collaboration" came about. "A few months ago, Amber found @lathanwarlick and showed me his insta page. He was taking popular tunes, adding his own lyrics and completely rebranding the songs with his own stories of life, struggle, rebirth and testimony," he explains, adding, "I loved it instantly."
Smith says he then messaged Warlick and the two immediately hit it off. "This dude, through his own path, has pulled the layers back on life and sees things in a new way...with truth, integrity and God first," he continues. "I only hope that one day I can see as clearly as he does."
"AND THEN...he takes my song and does THIS right back to me," he continues. "An unlikely collaboration and he knocks it out of the park with a deeper vision. The vision of truth."
On Monday (June 8), Smith turned to social media once again to reveal the studio version has been recorded.
"Music can heal," Smith's caption reads. "Well, at least I feel that way. Many times in my life a song has pulled me out of a tight spot or made a good spot a lot better."
"A few months ago, @lathanwarlick and I didn’t even know each other, and TODAY we dropped a song together. Coincidence? Or was there a bigger plan? I know what I believe. What do you think??"
Warlick also turned to Instagram to share the new song with his followers. "If you would have told me last year that I would be connecting with a country singer to create something so amazing I would’ve told you to get out of here," he starts. "When Granger Smith reached out to me on Instagram the immediate connection and love was there automatically."
"After a couple of text messages and getting to know each other more, out of the blue he sent me this song and asked me did I wanna be apart of it. God wouldn’t even let me fix my mouth to say no," he continues. "Not even knowing that a month later we would be witnessing the riots and the movements that are going on right now as we speak! God’s plan for the song was already in play to help bring unity and love."
Take a listen Smith and Warlick's powerful new collaboration for "That's Why I Love Dirt Roads" below.
Photo: Getty Images