HIXTAPE Vol. 3: DIFFTAPE Unveils All-Star Collaboration Lineup In Tribute To Country Icon Joe Diffie
The project features artists such as Toby Keith, Luke Combs, Luke Bryan, Lainey Wilson, and more.
HIXTAPE: VOL. 3: DIFFTAPE
Country legend Joe Diffie will soon be honored through song with the release of the 17-track HIXTAPE: Vol. 3: DIFFTAPE and fans finally got a glimpse of the artists set to appear on the project with the unveiling of the album cover on Wednesday (March 27).
What Is DIFFTAPE?
Arriving this Friday, March 29 via Big Loud Records in conjunction with the Diffie estate, DIFFTAPE is a collection of original recordings of Diffie’s biggest hits reimagined as collaborations with some of country music’s biggest stars and genre-bending hitmaker Post Malone.
Fans first learned of this epic collaborative project after the 2023 CMA Awards where HARDY, the founder of the HIXTAPE series, teamed up with Morgan Wallen and Post Malone to deliver an unforgettable two-song tribute to Diffie. At this time, two tracks were released “Pickup Man” (feat. Joe Diffie & Post Malone) and “John Deere Green” (feat. Joe Diffie, HARDY & Morgan Wallen).
Now, just days before the release of HIXTAPE: Vol. 3: DIFFTAPE, the album’s complete lineup of special guests has been revealed via the official HIXTAPE Instagram account, sending fans into an absolute frenzy.
Which Artists Are Featured On HIXTAPE: Vol. 3: DIFFTAPE?
The cover art, which showcases cartoon-like illustrations of the artists, confirmed that DIFFTAPE will feature Joe Diffie alongside Clint Black, Larry Fleet, Randy Houser, Luke Bryan, Old Dominion, Jon Pardi, Lainey Wilson, Tracy Lawrence, Chris Young, Nate Smith, Mark Wills, ERNEST, Aaron Tippin, Randall King, Sammy Kershaw, Parker Diffie (Joe Diffie’s son), Hailey Whitters, Darius Rucker, Brooks & Dunn, Blake Shelton, Jake Worthington, Reba McEntire, Jack Ingram, Koe Wetzel, Luke Combs, Toby Keith, Kameron Marlowe, Lauren Watkins, and previously announced artists HARDY, Morgan Wallen, and Post Malone.
The track list was released earlier this week, except for one song. Among the revealed titles in a post labeled “leaked internal documents” are “Prop Me Up Beside The Jukebox (If I Die),” “Ships That Don’t Come In,” “Third Rock From The Sun,” and “So Help Me Girl.”
At the time the DIFFTAPE was announced, the estate shared, “The Diffie Estate is thrilled to partner with Big Loud and HARDY in preserving and revitalizing Joe Diffie’s musical legacy. With their shared excitement and passion, this collaboration promises to carry on the incredible journey of a true legend.”
HARDY, who released HIXTAPE Vol 1 in 2019, and Vol. 2 in 2021, added, “I’m super excited about DIFFTAPE. I think it’s a one-of-a-kind project and we’re the first people to do something like this. Especially having the original recordings and the fact that we have his family’s blessing to do it, it’s all really special.”
When Will It Be Released?
HIXTAPE: Vol. 3: DIFFTAPE will be available in its entirety on March 29, 2024, the fourth anniversary of Joe Diffie’s passing. The country hitmaker died in 2020 due to complications of COVID. He is survived by his wife, Tara, and five children.
Lauren Jo Black, a University of Central Florida graduate, has immersed herself in the world of country music for over 15 years. In 2008, she co-founded CountryMusicIsLove, eventually selling it to a major record label in 2015. Following the rebranding of the website to Sounds Like Nashville, Black served as Editor-in-Chief for two and a half years. Currently, she assumes the role of Editor-in-Chief at Country Now and oversees Country Now’s content and digital footprint. Her extensive experience also encompasses her previous role as a Country Music Expert Writer for Answers.com and her work being featured on Forbes.com. She’s been spotlighted among Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. Black also spent time in front of the camera as host of Country Now Live, which brought live music directly to fans in 2021 when the majority of concerts were halted due to the pandemic. During this time, she hosted 24 weeks of live concerts via Country Now Live on Twitch with special guests such as Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Jordan Davis, Brett Young, and Jon Pardi. Over the course of her career, she has had the privilege of conducting interviews with some of the industry’s most prominent stars, including Reba McEntire, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson, and many others. Lauren Jo Black is a longtime member of the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music.
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