‘We are embarrassed and deeply sorry’: Lady Antebellum change band name over slavery connotations

Nashville group is now called Lady A

American pop band Lady Antebellum have changed their name to Lady A because of their original title's connotations with slavery.

The chart-topping trio, founded in Nashville in 2006, said they initially put the word “antebellum” in their name in homage to architecture in the southern states of America before the Civil War, as opposed to as a reference to the slavery era.

In a statement on Twitter, the band said that in the wake of Black Lives Matter protests across the country, they had become aware of "the injustices, inequality and biases black women and men have always faced" and "blindspots we didn't even know existed".

Explaining that they posed in front of an antebellum house in their first band photos 14 years ago, they said: "As musicians, it reminded us of all the music born in the south that influenced us.

"But we are regretful and embarrassed to say that we did not take into account the associations that weigh down this word referring to the period of history before the Civil War, which includes slavery.

"We are deeply sorry for the hurt this has caused and for anyone who has felt unsafe, unseen or unvalued. Causing pain was never our hearts' intention, but it doesn't change the fact that indeed, it did just that."

The group said they made the decision to change their name after "personal reflection, band discussion, prayer and many honest conversations with some of our closest black friends and colleagues".

They added: "We can make no excuse for our lateness to this realisation. What we can do is acknowledge it, turn from it and take action."

The band, who have one five Grammys, are best known for their 2010 hit “Need You Now”, which reached number two in the US and the top 20 in the UK.

Their move comes after The Recording Academy announced it would stop using the term “urban” in awards categories at the Grammys.