As Americans rooting for the underdog has been ingrained in us. Whether it be in sports, politics, or any other capacity, we’ve been taught since a young age to always give the little guy a chance. Well, this notion also applies to music. Particularly in the desire to see musicians rise from obscurity to international fame. One musician encompassing this arc is Luke Combs.
Videos by American Songwriter
Combs’ initial ascent into superstardom started with YouTube. In addition to Combs, other artists to do the same successfully include Zach Bryan, Lana Del Rey, Justin Bieber, and many others. Despite Combs’ YouTube not posing any type of uniqueness, it is still enjoyable to see how far he’s come. And it all started with his first video—him singing his first-ever hit, “Hurricane.”
9 Years & A Million Views Later
Posted on April 1, 2015, Combs introduced himself on YouTube and consequently the world by giving a candid performance of his first hit song. Performing alongside his buddies, the video shows a spry and ambitious Combs at the start of his career. When watching the video one can hear this youthful energy in his voice, as he belts out the lyrics as if his dreams depend on it. Which, in a way, they did at the time.
Seemingly with his career on the line, Combs’ performance is a premier example of how when used correctly, ambition surmounts raw talent. Not saying Combs doesn’t have talent. Rather, it is his talent paired with his dreams that make the performance what it is. Furthermore, it is also what has garnered the video 1.1 million views since its release. As the top comment highlighted, “Little did he know this song and this EP was going to change his life.”
Luke Combs’ Booming Success
Two years after the video, Combs made his major label debut releasing his first album, This One’s For You. Following its release, the album reached the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s Top Country Albums and No. 5 on Billboard’s 200. Though, the gem of the record was “Hurricane.” Despite not reaching any notable positions on the charts, the song proved that Combs can write and sing like no other.
One can only assume that “Hurricane” sits in an unrivaled position amidst Combs’ catalog given its personal significance. Given that if it weren’t for that YouTube video and for Combs’ sheer determination, who knows what he’d be doing. Nevertheless, Combs’ YouTube presence and ability to take a risk is what led him to become country music royalty. Lastly, a question that arises given this performance is “Do artists make better music when their ambition is unfed?” Food for thought…
Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images
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