Florida Georgia Line, the titans of bro-country who dominated radio waves for over a decade, officially closed their chapter as a duo in 2022. For fans who sang along to every word of “Cruise” and packed out their stadium shows, the question lingered: Why Did Florida Georgia Line Break Up? In a candid interview with Rolling Stone, Tyler Hubbard, one half of the now-solo act, sheds light on the real reasons behind the amicable split, moving beyond the rumors of political divides and social media spats.
To truly understand the end of Florida Georgia Line, it’s insightful to rewind almost a decade prior, to a moment that, in retrospect, foreshadowed the evolving dynamics within the band. Hubbard recounts a somewhat chaotic scene in Cancun, Mexico, a snapshot from the early days of FGL’s skyrocketing fame.
He describes arriving for an interview in 2013, admittedly worse for wear after a long video shoot for their hit “Get Your Shine On.” “I guess I liked to put myself to the challenge at the time,” Hubbard reflects, a stark contrast to the composed and thoughtful artist he is today. This anecdote, while seemingly lighthearted, hints at the intense pressures and perhaps divergent approaches to handling the band’s burgeoning success, even in their early days.
Fast forward to the present, and Hubbard, now a solo artist with a self-titled debut album, offers a more mature perspective on the band’s dissolution. While acknowledging the swirling rumors of discord, particularly concerning political differences and social media interactions between him and bandmate Brian Kelley, Hubbard emphasizes a more fundamental reason for the breakup: individual artistic aspirations.
“I’d be naïve to say it had nothing to do with differences of opinion and difference of geographic location and nothing to do with social media, but the decision would have been the same, regardless,” Hubbard explains. The core catalyst, he reveals, was Kelley’s desire to pursue a solo career. According to Hubbard, Kelley initiated the conversation, expressing his intention to go solo and seeking Hubbard’s support. Hubbard, in turn, was supportive of Kelley’s personal ambitions, stating, “I told BK I want you to do what you need to do to make you happy, and I’ll figure out what I’m doing after that.”
This emphasis on solo ambitions as the primary driver puts the breakup in a relatable context for many bands throughout music history. Creative partnerships, however successful, can sometimes reach a point where individual artistic paths diverge. For Florida Georgia Line, it appears this divergence became undeniable. Hubbard himself recognized the impracticality of maintaining FGL while both members pursued separate solo endeavors, stating he “wasn’t willing to continue making FGL records and go sign another FGL deal if we were going to do solo stuff. I didn’t have the capacity for both.”
While solo aspirations were the foundational reason for the split, the external narratives surrounding Florida Georgia Line’s breakup often focused on the rumored rift between Hubbard and Kelley. Differing political views and perceived social media disagreements were frequently cited as the breaking point. Hubbard doesn’t completely dismiss these elements, acknowledging they may have played a role in the overall dynamic. However, he firmly pushes back against the idea that these were the decisive factors that led to the end of FGL.
The way the breakup was handled publicly also contributed to the speculation and sometimes negative narratives. According to Hubbard, Kelley preferred to keep the impending split relatively quiet, a decision that Hubbard respected but found challenging. This lack of transparency, intended to avoid premature announcements and fan disappointment, inadvertently fueled the rumor mill.
“Because it was [Kelley] who initiated it and he didn’t want to be super direct with the fans about what was going on — because it would have meant [the breakup] was really happening — we chose to not overshare and really not disclose anything at all,” Hubbard explains. This silence, while understandable from a personal perspective, created a vacuum that was quickly filled with speculation. Hubbard expresses frustration with the ease with which external factors, like politics or social media unfollows, were amplified as the reasons for the breakup, overshadowing the more personal and professional motivations.
In the aftermath of Florida Georgia Line’s final performance at the Minnesota State Fair, both Hubbard and Kelley have embarked on their solo journeys. For Hubbard, this transition involved a conscious shift in performance style and a renewed sense of humility. He describes opening for Keith Urban and experiencing a stark contrast to the stadium-filling days of FGL. “When I came out onstage, it was humbling,” Hubbard recalls, noting the initial unfamiliarity from some audience members who were still connecting him to his past with Florida Georgia Line.
This experience of re-introducing himself to audiences, even while playing familiar hits like “Cruise,” underscores the significant shift in his career trajectory. However, this new chapter also allows Hubbard to explore more personal and vulnerable songwriting, as evidenced by tracks like “Miss My Daddy,” a deeply emotional song reflecting on the loss of his father. This artistic evolution is something that collaborator Jaren Johnston of The Cadillac Three has observed, noting a greater depth and heart in Hubbard’s recent work compared to the earlier, more party-centric anthems of Florida Georgia Line.
Despite the breakup, Hubbard remains appreciative of his time with Florida Georgia Line and the legacy they built. He acknowledges that elements of FGL’s sound and energy are still present in his solo music, stating, “I am still half of FGL.” Even FGL House, their Nashville bar, remains open, a physical reminder of their shared history.
Ultimately, the breakup of Florida Georgia Line, while marking the end of an era in bro-country, appears to be a result of natural artistic evolution and individual aspirations. While external factors and public narratives may have added layers of complexity, the core reason, according to Tyler Hubbard, is simple: both he and Brian Kelley were ready to explore their own musical paths. For fans, this understanding offers closure and a chance to appreciate both the impactful legacy of Florida Georgia Line and the exciting solo ventures of Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley as they each move forward.
