Shaboozey, the rising star blending hip-hop and alt-country, had one of the most incredible breakout moments in music this year. His hit single “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” dominated the charts for an astonishing 18 weeks, setting a new record as the longest-running No. 1 hit of 2024. As if that wasn’t impressive enough, it’s now just one week away from surpassing the legendary "Old Town Road" by Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus, which held the title for 19 weeks at the top of the charts. This milestone has already secured Shaboozey’s place in history, marking his song as one of the longest-charting hits in Billboard history.
But that’s not all. The artist has been busy creating waves in the music industry. He worked alongside none other than Beyoncé, contributing to two tracks on her highly anticipated album "Cowboy Carter." Talk about star power! On top of this, Shaboozey's breakout year reached new heights with a whopping six Grammy nominations, including the prestigious Song of the Year. It seemed like the country music scene was ready to embrace his genre-blending sound, especially after he earned CMA Awards nominations for New Artist and Song of the Year.
However, despite these monumental achievements, Shaboozey’s experience at the 58th Annual CMA Awards turned out to be far less than what his stellar year had promised. As the night unfolded, it became evident that not everyone in the country music community was on board with his rising success. Though many were expecting him to win big, Shaboozey ended up walking away empty-handed. He lost the Best New Artist award to Megan Moroney and the coveted Song of the Year award to country heavyweight Chris Stapleton for his ballad "White Horse."
Yet, what really sparked a firestorm of controversy wasn’t his losses, but how Shaboozey was treated during the televised ceremony. The backlash came from both the artist’s fans and the public, who couldn’t help but notice the disrespectful way Shaboozey’s name was treated throughout the event.
At the start of the broadcast, host Luke Bryan made light of Shaboozey’s success, jokingly mispronouncing his name while introducing him. He referred to Shaboozey’s hit song "A Bar Song (Tipsy)" as “Yeah, we call that a sha-doozey.” This was met with immediate disapproval from co-host Lainey Wilson, who corrected him by saying, “That is not what we call that.” Peyton Manning, also a host that evening, chimed in with, “Yeah, that does not sound right at all.” Though they quickly pointed out the song's massive success, the damage had already been done.
Bryan’s mocking tone continued as he made a lighthearted comment about Shaboozey’s parents, saying, "His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Shaboozey, must be so proud." The light teasing didn’t end there; later in the show, Manning took it a step further with a loud, “Holy Shaboozey!” to transition between segments. The constant jabs at his name may have been intended as harmless banter, but they quickly took a turn for the worse.
Shaboozey, whose real name is Collins Obinna Chibueze, had opted for the stage name “Shaboozey” after being given the nickname by a former football coach. It’s a more accessible version of his full name, something that was easier for people to pronounce, especially when he grew up in Virginia where many struggled with his given name. In fact, Shaboozey has openly shared how the mispronunciations of his name throughout his childhood made him feel alienated, prompting him to create a name that would be easier for others to understand.
Despite his efforts to make his name more accessible, the CMA Awards broadcast turned his chosen stage name into a punchline, reducing the artist to a mere gimmick. And what’s even more disheartening is that this was not the first time his name had been used as a joke. During Cody Johnson's acceptance speech for Album of the Year, one of his producers, Trent Willmon, made an odd comment that caught many off guard. Willmon said, “This is for this cowboy who’s been kicking Shaboozey for a lot of years.” Whether this was an offhand remark or a deliberate jab at Shaboozey’s name, viewers were left in confusion, wondering whether it was a thinly veiled insult.
The comments about Shaboozey’s name didn’t sit well with many people, especially those who have been cheering for his success. Country music editor Billy Dukes voiced his concern, stating that fans deserved an explanation for the disrespect shown towards Shaboozey. Many took to social media to express their outrage, with one viral post claiming, “The fact that Shaboozey didn’t win a single Country Music Award despite having the #1 country song for like 3 months straight is proof that they don’t want somebody Black to be the face of country music.”
Rolling Stone writer Larisha Paul also weighed in, calling out the underlying issue of how Black culture is often watered down to make it more digestible for mainstream audiences. Paul highlighted that Shaboozey’s success had already made him a winner in the eyes of many, regardless of the CMA Awards outcome. She pointed out the unfortunate reality that Shaboozey, who had been breaking down barriers in country music, wasn’t welcomed as he should have been. Instead, it felt like his presence at the awards show was more of a spectacle than a genuine acknowledgment of his talent.
Despite the online firestorm and the subtle disrespect he faced, Shaboozey maintained his composure and addressed the situation with grace. He posted a photo of himself smiling with his arms raised in a shrug, signaling that he wasn’t letting the negativity get to him. His caption read, “Ain’t nobody kicking me!” In a series of follow-up posts, Shaboozey expressed his gratitude for the support he received and shared how his purpose remained unchanged. He wrote, “Win or lose, I’m blessed by something or someone that has a power beyond my understanding,” reflecting on the spiritual journey he’s on. He continued, “I’m here today hopefully living in my purpose, and if my music makes even the tiniest positive impact in someone’s life, I can die with a smile.”
His closing thoughts were a testament to his deep connection with country music. “Country music changed my life, and I’m forever grateful to it and for it,” he said. While the CMA Awards night may not have gone as expected, Shaboozey’s career is just beginning, and he’s already proven that no amount of mockery can dull his shine. The future of country music, it seems, may have just gotten a whole lot more exciting.
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