Riley Green Reveals His First Song Ever “Had a Rap Part in It” on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon

Riley Green stopped by The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon this past week, and while the Alabama native is currently packing arenas on his Damn Country Music Tour, the conversation turned all the way back to his very first attempts at songwriting.

Talking about learning to play guitar from his grandfather Buford, Green admitted that the first song he ever wrote was called 'Escalade.'

The inspiration? Exactly what you’d expect. “It was about getting an Escalade,” he laughed. “It had a rap part in it.”

That early effort may not have been a country classic, but it sure planted the seed. Green shared that his first trip to Nashville was a writers’ round at the famed Tootsie’s.

The Alabama native noted that that moment is what opened his eyes to storytelling through music. From there, he leaned into writing about his own upbringing, family and the values that would ultimately shape his catalog.

The appearance also gave him the chance to plug his Damn Country Music Tour, which has been drawing massive crowds all across the country throughout the bulk of 2025.

While his sound is rooted in traditional country, Green’s story of starting with a half-serious rap song and growing into one of the genre’s leading voices highlights just how far he’s come.

From 'Escalade' to 'I Wish Grandpas Never Died,' Green’s journey is proof that even the most unexpected beginnings can still lead to timeless country songs.

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