Brad Paisley Talks ‘Accidental Racist’ With Leno: ‘I Don’t Know’ If I Would Do It Again

Yesterday, rapper LL Cool J went on Good Morning America to try to explain his duet with country star Brad Paisley, “Accidental Racist.” Last night, it was Paisley’s turn to attempt an explanation on the Tonight Show.

Paisley sat down with Jay Leno in an attempt to answer some of the fierce criticism that has been hurled his way since he released the song earlier this week.

Paisley revealed that he had no idea there was a controversy brewing until LL Cool J called him Monday morning and asked, “have you looked at the internet?”

“Racism has been on my mind,” Paisely said, citing the recent films Django Unchained and Lincoln as inspiration to tackle the subject with his music. He said his intention was to create a dialogue “between country music and rap music” and “to deal with this subject between two individuals in a loving and understanding way.”

When Leno asked him if he would record the song again knowing the divisive impact it would have, Paisley said, “I don’t know” and mentioned the 30 minutes of coverage about it on NPR he heard on the way to the taping. But, he added, at least “they’re talking about” the issue and “my prayer is that it will make something good come out of it.”

Watch video below, via NBC:

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