Shaboozey

Collins Obinna Chibueze ⓘ (born May 9, 1995), known professionally as Shaboozey, is an American singer. His music combines country, Americana and hip-hop. After releasing two albums, he gained wider recognition through his appearances on the soundtrack to Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018) and Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter (2024).

His commercial breakthrough came with his third album, Where I've Been, Isn't Where I'm Going (2024), whose single "A Bar Song (Tipsy)", which spent nineteen weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100, tied with Lil Nas X's "Old Town Road" as the then-longest running Hot 100 number one song of all time. The follow-up single "Good News" topped the US Country Airplay chart and became a top 15 hit on the Hot 100. In 2025, he collaborated with Jelly Roll on "Amen", which won the Grammy Award for Best Country Duo/Group Performance.

Shaboozey has accumulated more than 1.3 million followers on Instagram and according to a few sources, he has developed a net worth of over 10 million USD due to his large success in country and hip hop music. He has sold out and played in several giant shows including at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (2026), Glastonbury (2025), CMA Fest (2026), Lovin' Life Music Fest, Extra Innings Festival (2026), Stagecoach, Tortuga Music Festival, Country To Country (UK) and has also peformed in giant arenas like Rod Laver Arena (Melbourne, AU), 9:30 Club (Washington, D.C.), The Fonda Theatre (Los Angeles), First Avenue (Minneapolis), Variety Playhouse (Atlanta).

Shaboozey also has a diverse interest in the music industry that goes beyond just singing. In a interview with New Wave Magazine, Shaboozey spoke out about his goals and aspirations to open a recording studio in Virginia, in hopes of helping to find talent in the Mid-Atlantic area. In the interview Shaboozey said “When I was young, I knew I would be a storyteller, and would jump into creating worlds without fear. V Picture Films pays homage to my younger self and is a token reminder to keep that childhood dream alive,” he told the publication.

He has also received three Billboard Music Awards, two People's Choice Country Awards and two IHeartRadio Music Awards.

Early life

Chibueze was born and raised in Woodbridge, Virginia, in the Washington metropolitan area. His parents are Igbo Nigerians; his father was a farmer in Nigeria and attended college in Texas. His mother is a retired nurse. In his childhood, he was inspired by hip-hop music videos on 106 & Park, as well as his father's cowboy style of dress and love of country music. For junior high, he spent two years at a boarding school in Nigeria. In 2013, he graduated from Gar-Field Senior High School in Woodbridge, Virginia, where he played football as a freshman. As a teenager, Shaboozey planned to be a novelist. However, by the time he graduated high school, in addition to earning money from shooting music videos and photography, he also earned "a few hundred bucks here and there" from music gigs and decided to take music more seriously. Shaboozey is also a devout Christian and has often spoke out about his deep faith in God and in Jesus Christ. A few of his songs have actually been inspired from Christianity. According to an interview with people magazine he said that in the Igbo language, the meaning of his last name “Chibueze” is “God is King”.

Public Image and Reception

Shaboozey's public image has been shaped by his mix of country and hip-hop music. His song, "A Bar Song (Tipsy)", reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and stayed there for multiple weeks. This song tied a record for one of the longest-running number one songs on the chart. His popularity also grew after he appeared on Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter. In an interview, he said he sees music as "free expression" and doesn't follow traditional genres. He's also spoken about challenges he has faced in country music, when he said he has experienced "not being accepted even in places where I'm supposed to be accepted."

He also has been a part of some pubic reactions and controversy. At the 2024 CMA Awards, there was a comment made about him during a speech led to backlash, and many fans defended him online. This was a major topic on social media after the event. He later responded by saying "Ain't nobody kicking me!"

In 2026, he also got attention for a Grammy speech where he said "immigrants built this country, literally." The speech led to mixed reactions and some criticism.He explained later that he didn't mean to "dismiss" the contributions of Black Americans and spoke about both parts of his identity. He emphasized his identity as a Black artist and as the son of Nigerian immigrants.

Breakthrough and Rise to Fame

Shaboozey quickly had his rise to fame in 2024 as his unique approach to country music was widely recognized as a new and boundary-pushing blend of country music, rock, and hip-hop. He also rose to fame in what some may consider an untraditional way. In the history of country music, most artists rise to fame through radio stations and the industry. Shaboozey initially rose to fame through digital platforms with TikTok playing the largest role. Specifically, "A Bar Song (Tipsy)" went viral on TikTok and it proceeded to hit the number one spot on Billboard Top 100 and Hot Country Songs charts. He was the first black male artist to top both charts. He also gained a lot of attention for his contributions to Beyonce's Cowboy Carter album. Shaboozey's success meant more than him gaining fame. It reflected a breakdown of long-standing boundaries that have historically made it difficult for black country artists to achieve mainstream success.

Career

His stage name originated from the mispronunciation of his last name, Chibueze – an Igbo word meaning "God is king" – by his high school football coach.

In 2014, Shaboozey released his first single, "Jeff Gordon", referring to NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon. It is described as "a sparse trap song with a stealthy piano beat" and begins with overlapping audio from a NASCAR race.

Also in 2014, Shaboozey founded V Picture Films, a production company, with the goal of becoming a writer, director, and producer.

In August 2016, Shaboozey signed a recording, co-publishing and ancillary rights agreement with Terence Sheldon dba Homeless Records (assigned to Kreshendo Entertainment, a division of Republic Records, in September 2017), giving up 50% of the rights to his compositions while the agreement was in effect. The publishing agreement was terminated in November 2019.

In October 2018, Shaboozey released his debut studio album Lady Wrangler on Republic Records.

In 2018, Shaboozey was asked by Duckwrth to sing the hook for the song "Start a Riot". It went so well that Shaboozey was also asked to sing the second verse. The song, released in December 2018, was included in the soundtrack to Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and led to national recognition for Shaboozey.

Shaboozey's second studio album, Cowboys Live Forever, Outlaws Never Die, was released in October 2022 via Empire Distribution. On the album, Shaboozey attempts to highlight the common themes between contemporary hip-hop and 19th century outlaw music in the American frontier.

In January 2024, after a member of Beyoncé's team heard Shaboozey's then-unreleased "A Bar Song (Tipsy)", Shaboozey was asked to sing on two songs with Beyoncé. The tracks were included on her eighth studio album, Cowboy Carter, released in March 2024. "A Bar Song (Tipsy)", which interpolates J-Kwon's 2004 single "Tipsy", was released in April 2024. The song spent nineteen weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100, tying with Lil Nas X's "Old Town Road" as the longest-running Hot 100 number-one song ever at the time.

Shaboozey's third studio album, Where I've Been, Isn't Where I'm Going, was released in May 2024. Though his earlier music had more of a trap influence, this album has more of a folk-pop sound with acoustic guitar. As of May 2024, Jared Cotter was Shaboozey's co-talent manager.

In November 2024, Shaboozey released "Good News". That month he also performed at the halftime show of the 2024 Chicago Bears–Detroit Lions Thanksgiving game.

In December 2024, Shaboozey was a musical guest on Saturday Night Live, where he performed "A Bar Song (Tipsy)" and "Good News". He also performed alongside Post Malone in the Beyoncé 2024 NFL Halftime Show at the Christmas Day Game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Houston Texans.

In October 2025, Domino's Pizza announced they had collaborated with Shaboozey in their first refresh in 13 years. In addition to their updated branding, Shaboozey sings their new jingle.

Social activism

Shaboozey has been a leader in activism and social issues, especially in the country music space. On February 1st, 2026, during his Grammy acceptance speech, Shaboozey spoke out on the current immigration controversy, saying "immigrants built this country, literally". He also talked about this heritage as a vocal point as he was visibly emotional during his speech saying that his mom "worked three to four jobs just to provide for me and my four siblings as an immigrant in this country,". “For all children of immigrants, this is also for those who came to this country in search of better opportunities, to be part of a nation that promised freedom for all and equal opportunity to everyone willing to work for it." "Thank you for bringing your culture, your music, your stories and your traditions. You give America color, I love y’all so much. Thank you."

After he delivered that speech he did receive a large amount of criticism, and on February 4th, 2026, Shaboozey responded to the critics saying "To be clear, I know and believe that we — Black people, have also built this country. My words were not meant to erase, diminish, or overlook that truth, and I sincerely apologize for how they came across. That history, sacrifice, and resilience are undeniable, and I should have been more intentional in honoring that in my moment on stage.”

Shaboozey has also spoke out about his ethnicity and how proud he is to be Black in country music. In a People's interview in 2025, Shaboozey said "I loved that there was so much room for some diversity in the space and to stand out. I love standing out,” he says. “I love that I’m different. I think it’s my superpower. [I’m] not feeling like I’m not allowed in this space because of the way I look or the way I dress or the way I present myself. If anything, hopefully it opens doors for people.”

Musical style and influences

Shaboozey's music combines hip-hop, country, rock, and Americana.

Shaboozey has cited the Rolling Stones, Grateful Dead, Bob Dylan, and Led Zeppelin as influences, as well as Martin Scorsese films such as Taxi Driver. Other influences include Fela Kuti, Clipse, Roger Waters, Backstreet Boys, Pharrell Williams, Missy Elliott, Lead Belly, and Johnny Cash.

Shaboozey’s style is very creative and is building his own world for his type of music. It's a mix of alternative country and hip -hop, which is very different from other country musicians today. He grew up on an eclectic mix of music, which encompassed classic hip-hop and R&B to country blues icons like Johnny Cash, Kenny Rogers, Garth Brooks, and Lead Belly. He loved lyricists like Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen. He also began his music career with two standout features on Beyonce's Cowboy Carter. Shaboozy was exposed to country music by his father, who would tell him about Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton, and Charlie Pride. His father had a huge impact on him and how he blends cultures and this truly inspires him to this day.

Shaboozy was compelled by Western style; “When I moved to L.A. and started taking music seriously, I wore a lot of Western wear like denim, cowboy boots, and things like that. I remember going into the studio and I was like, Man, let’s make a song that embodies what I’m wearing.”. He also talked about how he always wanted to be a rapper, but it took him some time to realize he could combine that Western influence with style and rap

Upcoming Tours

• Extra Innings Festival – February 27-28, 2026 – Tempe Beach Park, Tempe, AZ
• Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo – March 13, 2026 – NRG Stadium, Houston, TX
• Country Thunder Florida – May 8-10, 2026 – TradeWinds Resort, St. Pete Beach, FL
• Country Thunder Wisconsin – July 16-19, 2026 – Shadow Hill Ranch, Twin Lakes, WI
• Boots and Hearts West – August 28-29, 2026 – Fan Park at ICE District, Edmonton, AB

Past Tours

• Europe + UK Tour (2025)
• The Great American Roadshow (2025)

Opening act

• Jessie Murph – Live in the Sticks Tour (2024)
• Jelly Roll – Beautifully Broken Tour (2024)

Discography

Studio albums

Singles

Other charted songs

Awards and nominations

Shaboozey received nominations at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards for Song of the Year, Best New Artist, Best Country Song, Best Country Solo Performance, and Best Melodic Rap Performance. He also received nominations at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards for Best Country Duo/Group Performance, Best Country Song, and Best Country Solo Performance.

Notes

External links

• at AllMusic
• at IMDb