In the world of country music, few friendships have captured the hearts of fans quite like the bromance between Blake Shelton and Luke Bryan. Dubbed “Bluke” by their enthusiastic followers, this dynamic duo has turned playful jabs, shared stages, and genuine camaraderie into a phenomenon that leaves audiences laughing, cheering, and clamoring for more. From co-hosting awards shows to trading hilarious barbs on social media, the bond between these two country superstars has become a beloved staple in the genre, driving fans crazy with delight.

The Birth of ‘Bluke’

The term “Bluke” emerged in the early 2010s, a clever mashup of Blake and Luke, coined by fans who noticed the undeniable chemistry between the two. Their friendship, rooted in mutual respect and a shared sense of humor, took center stage when they co-hosted the Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards together from 2013 to 2015. During these broadcasts, Shelton and Bryan showcased their knack for comedy, trading witty one-liners and poking fun at each other in a way that felt both spontaneous and endearing. “We both agree it’s going to be a fun night, but it’s not about us and hosting,” Shelton told Entertainment Tonight in 2015, emphasizing their focus on music and performances while still delivering laughs.

Their on-stage antics—Blake mocking Luke’s dance moves, Luke teasing Blake’s love of pizza—set the tone for a bromance that felt authentic. Fans ate it up, flooding social media with the #Bluke hashtag and sharing clips of their hilarious exchanges. The nickname stuck, and “Bluke” became a symbol of a friendship that blended rivalry, respect, and riotous fun.

A Friendship Forged in Music and Mischief

Blake Shelton, the Oklahoma-born crooner behind hits like “Austin” and “God’s Country,” and Luke Bryan, the Georgia native known for chart-toppers like “Country Girl (Shake It for Me)” and “Play It Again,” have been friends for over a decade. Their bond began in the Nashville scene, where both rose to prominence in the 2000s. By the time they teamed up for the ACMs, their chemistry was undeniable. They’d already shared stages, with Shelton headlining Bryan’s Crash My Playa concert festival in Mexico, a recurring event where the two often performed covers like George Strait’s “All My Ex’s Live in Texas” and Alabama’s “Dixieland Delight” to roaring crowds.

Off-stage, their playful rivalry took on a life of its own. In 2017, as Luke joined Blake’s team as an advisor for Season 12 of The Voice, their banter spilled onto the set. Shelton welcomed Bryan with a hug and a cheeky kiss, a moment captured in a sneak peek clip where Bryan noted, “You’re advising people that are gonna take your words and use ’em the rest of their lives.” The lighthearted vibe continued, with Shelton joking to Access Hollywood, “The truth is about Adam [Levine] is I don’t care about him,” hinting that the “Bluke” bond might outshine his rapport with his fellow Voice coach.

Twitter Wars and Hilarious Jabs

The “Bluke” bromance truly ignites on social media, where Shelton and Bryan trade jabs that leave fans in stitches. In August 2020, Shelton tweeted, “Wow! Just catching up on the news… Shocking! I have noticed some fatigue when @lukebryanonline comes on..” alongside a playful image. Bryan fired back, “Your girlfriend is the only reason people are listening to your last two singles,” a nod to Shelton’s relationship with Gwen Stefani. This exchange, dripping with sarcasm, had fans laughing and retweeting, cementing “Bluke” as a Twitter sensation.

The ribbing continued in 2023 during Shelton’s Back to the Honky Tonk Tour. In Birmingham, Alabama, battling vocal issues, Shelton quipped to the crowd, “I’ve been to Luke Bryan concerts many of times and people are singing every damn word to his songs, but his songs are stupid.” He paired the jab with a mocking dance, mimicking Bryan’s signature hip-shaking moves, while the audience roared. Bryan, never one to back down, later responded with humor, and fans dubbed it another classic “Bluke” moment.

Even their Nashville bars—Shelton’s Ole Red and Bryan’s 32 Bridge—became fodder for the feud. Shelton jokingly banned fans in Bryan merch from his venue, while Bryan, on Apple Music Country’s The Ty Bentli Show, teased, “He’s pretend farming… I’m actually planting stuff that human beings can enjoy. I’m not feeding a bunch of rabbits and moles and stuff. Blake’s farming earthworms.” The playful rivalry, from ticket sales to farming, keeps fans buzzing with delight.

Shared Stages and Memorable Moments

The “Bluke” magic shines brightest when Shelton and Bryan share the stage. At Luke’s Crash My Playa event in January 2018, Shelton headlined, and Bryan crashed the set, cup of Smithworks Vodka (Shelton’s brand) in hand. Together, they belted out “Dixieland Delight” and “All My Ex’s Live in Texas,” with the crowd singing along in a frenzy. Gwen Stefani, Shelton’s then-girlfriend, even joined in, performing “Hollaback Girl” alongside Blake, while Bryan’s wife, Caroline, cheered from the sidelines. These moments, blending music and friendship, sent fans into a “Bluke” craze.

Their co-hosting gigs at the ACMs from 2013 to 2015 were equally iconic. Behind-the-scenes footage from a promo shoot captured Shelton mocking Bryan’s moves, and Bryan returning the favor, with both laughing uncontrollably. “The chemistry is absolutely beautiful,” Country Rebel noted, calling it the essence of a “Bluke” collaboration. Fans shared these clips across Facebook and Twitter, fueling the hype and proving the duo’s ability to entertain beyond music.

Fans Go Crazy for ‘Bluke’

The “Bluke” phenomenon has fans in a frenzy, with social media ablaze after every interaction. When Bryan, in a 2021 ET Online interview, shaded Shelton’s pizza endorsement, saying, “I challenged myself by getting in the underwear market… Blake just wants to sit around and eat wagon wheels of pizza all day,” fans flooded comments with laughing emojis and “Bluke” hashtags. Similarly, after Bryan jokingly claimed an empty arena during 2025 tour rehearsals showed “what Blake Shelton’s ticket sales look like,” complete with cricket sound effects, followers called it comedy gold.

The bromance even sparked polls, like one from The Bull Amarillo in 2013, asking fans to choose between Shelton’s bond with Bryan or Adam Levine. “Bluke” often won, with supporters tweeting, “Blake and Luke are the best duo!” and “#Bluke forever!” The nickname trended after events like the 2019 tease of “big news,” when Shelton posted a video of their dogs, Betty, Choc, and Boss, “texting” about a May 23–24 reveal, leaving fans speculating about a song, show, or more.

A Bond Beyond the Banter

Beneath the jokes, the “Bluke” bromance is built on genuine support. Bryan credited Shelton for pushing him to join American Idol, recalling on his Party Barn Radio podcast, “You said, ‘Do it,’ I said, ‘Heck yeah, I’m going to do it.’” Shelton, in turn, welcomed Bryan’s mentorship on The Voice, valuing his insight. Their friendship endured personal milestones, too—Bryan planned an “embarrassing” gift for Shelton and Stefani’s 2021 wedding, joking to PEOPLE about a box of “funny, sarcastic items” with the “Luke Bryan touch.”

Despite starring on rival shows—Shelton on The Voice, Bryan on American Idol—their bond thrives. In 2022, after Katy Perry teased Bryan about not being in People’s Sexiest Man Alive list (Shelton won in 2017), Luke photoshopped himself over Blake’s cover, tweeting, “Don’t doubt me @katyperry, the @people love me.” Shelton’s response, and the ensuing Twitter war, had fans howling, proving “Bluke” remains a fan favorite.

Why Fans Love ‘Bluke’

The “Bluke” craze stems from the duo’s ability to blend humor, music, and heart. Their jabs—whether about “stupid” songs, fake farming, or ticket sales—feel like inside jokes fans are in on. Shared performances, from Crash My Playa to the ACMs, showcase their chemistry, while social media keeps the conversation alive. As Bryan told ET in 2015, “He’s genuinely happy to see me when he sees me, but then he’s happy to get away from me too,” capturing the playful push-pull that drives fans wild.

With over a decade of friendship, Blake Shelton and Luke Bryan have turned “Bluke” into a country music legend. Their bromance—equal parts roast and respect—keeps fans laughing, cheering, and hoping for more. Whether on stage, screen, or Twitter, “Bluke” delivers, and the frenzy shows no signs of slowing down.