Lady Antebellum will now be called Lady A.
Country music group Lady Antebellum have changed their name to Lady A and have apologized for using a name associated with slavery in America.
“When we set out together almost 14 years ago, we named our band after the Southern ‘Antebellum’ style home where we took our first photos,” the Nashville trio explained. “But we are regretful and embarrassed to say that we did not take into account the associations that weigh down this word referring to the period of history before the Civil War, which includes slavery. We are deeply sorry for the hurt this has caused and for anyone who has felt unsafe, unseen, or unvalued.”
Their biggest hit was 2009’s Need You Now, which reached No 2 in the Billboard Hot 100 and went nine times platinum in the US; it is also their only UK hit, reaching No 15. They have won five Grammy awards from 10 nominations.
Meanwhile, the record label One Little Indian, whose most famous signing is Björk, has changed its name to One Little Independent. The label’s original name is the title of a song that describes the death of “10 little Indian boys”, referring to indigenous Americans. It was also used in minstrel shows, sometimes retitled to feature the N-word. The label’s logo will also change.
Label founder Derek Birkett said he “apologise[d] unreservedly to anyone that has been offended” by the name. Birkett made the change following a letter from someone who detailed the offensive connotations of the name: “I felt equally appalled and grateful to them,” he said.