Fancy Hagood

Broadening the church of country with breezy flair, Jake “Fancy” Hagood is a proudly gay artist who incorporates pop, soul, gospel, and other styles into his own distinctive take on the genre. Born in Bentonville, Arkansas, in 1991, he relocated to Nashville to launch his career. That officially happened with 2015’s “Goodbye,” a debut single that was released anonymously before Hagood revealed his identity. The same year, he enlisted pop icons Meghan Trainor and Ariana Grande for the suave and snappy “Boys Like You.” Hagood dug into his unique backstory for his 2021 debut album, Southern Curiosity, inspired by his experiences growing up queer in the South. In 2022, he made his debut at the Grand Ole Opry, and the same year he spoke to Elton John about inclusivity on Apple Music: “You get told there’s only one seat at the table for someone like you, [but] I think there’s as many seats at the table for everyone, as long as everyone wants to show up and be supportive.” Hagood released his second album, American Spirit, in 2024, tipping his hat to ’90s country radio while welcoming guests like Michelle Branch and Nickel Creek spinoff Watkins Family Hour. After shedding light on Nashville’s overlooked talent on his Trailblazers Radio show, Hagood launched the weekly series FANCY on Apple Music Country in 2026.