Shaboozy, born Collins Obinna Chibueze on May 9, 1995, is a Nigerian-American singer-songwriter raised in Woodbridge, Virginia, with two formative years spent at a boarding school in Nigeria. His stage name originated from a memorable mispronunciation of his surname by a high school football coach—“Shaboozy” stuck, and he later embraced it.
Shaboozy sound defies easy categorization—he blends hip-hop, country, Americana, and R&B, forging a genre-fluid identity that caught fire in the music world. He emerged into the spotlight with early attention from his 2018 track “Start a Riot (feat. Duckwrth)”, which found a spot on the Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse soundtrack.
“A Bar Song (Tipsy)” — The Record-Breaking Anthem
April 2024 marked the release of Shaboozy breakout single, “A Bar Song (Tipsy)”. Crafted by sampling early-2000s hip-hop while infusing his own country flair, the track became an instant earworm and party anthem. Its impact was historic: Shaboozy became the first Black male artist to simultaneously top both the Billboard Hot 100 and Hot Country Charts, and across four radio formats—Country, Top 40, Rhythm, and Hot Adult Contemporary.
The song remained at No. 1 on the Hot 100 for 19 weeks, tying Lil Nas X’s Old Town Road for the longest streak ever. It was also dubbed the song of the summer in 2024, received 4× Platinum certification, and was the most streamed track of the year, per Luminate data.
Collaborations & Cultural Influence: Beyoncé, Coachella, and More
Shaboozy ascent included major collaborations and high-profile performances:
Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter: In March 2024, he featured on two tracks—“SPAGHETTII” and “SWEET ★ HONEY ★ BUCKIIN’”—making him the only artist with multiple appearances on the album.
Live shows: His breakthrough performance on COLORS X Studios showcased his influences—from Scorsese films to early hip-hop—deepening fans’ understanding of his artistry.
Coachella with Ed Sheeran: He delivered a memorable rendition of “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” during the second weekend of Coachella alongside Ed Sheeran.
BET Experience in Miami: He hosted an unforgettable late-night set, even buying 111 shots of Jack Daniels for fans during a wild early-morning party.
Touring: His live presence spanned major festivals and venues—from CMA Fest, Wembley, Lovin’ Life Music Fest, Capital Summertime Ball, to his sold-out headline tour slated for the fall.
Awards, Recognition & Controversy
Shaboozy achievements didn’t go unnoticed:
He is nominated for several Grammy Awards in 2025, including Best New Artist, Best Country Song, Best Country Solo Performance for “A Bar Song (Tipsy)”, and Best Melodic Rap Performance for his feature on Beyoncé’s “SPAGHETTII”.
His album Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going debuted in the Top 5 of the Billboard 200 and earned praise from publications like NPR as “the future of country music”.
On niche music platforms, discussions have surfaced—such as a critic’s pushback on his comments about the Carter Family’s legacy in country music, sparking broader conversation about history and representation.
Fan and Online Reception
Reddit buzz around Shaboozy offers insight into his broad reception:
Record-breaking dominance: One user celebrated his 19-week Hot 100 reign and connected it to Beyoncé’s impact on his visibility:
“In celebration of Black country artist Shaboozy historic 19-week #1… fans are seeing where it goes.”
Anticipated collabs: Another speculated about a dream collaboration with Post Malone after exploring his album:
“Just started Shaboozy’s album from the start… some really good songs on here… would be such a good collab!”
Pop culture references: He’s even emerged in mainstream comedy—for example, getting a shoutout on shows like SNL.
Why Shaboozy Matters: A New Era in Country Music
Shaboozy isn’t just another breakout artist—he represents a paradigm shift:
Genre-bending: By blending hip-hop, R&B, Americana, and country, he’s redefining boundaries and reshaping audience expectations
Representation: As a Black Nigerian-American rising in a predominantly white genre, he challenges conventions and amplifies underrepresented voices in country music
Cross-platform resonance: From viral chart-breaking hits to live streaming, Beyoncé collabs, and festival performances—his career spans media ecosystems, proving the power of modern artist branding.
Cultural conversations: His success renews debate around country music’s roots, inclusivity, and evolving identity—highlighting the genre’s dynamic future.
Summary Table
| Section | Key Highlights |
|---|---|
| Identity & Origin | Born Collins Obinna Chibueze; stage name from high school mispronunciation |
| Breakthrough Single | “A Bar Song (Tipsy)”—genre blend, record-breaking, multi-format charting |
| Collaborations & Performances | Beyoncé, Coachella, COLORS, BET; extensive tour and festival appearances |
| Recognition & Awards | Grammy-nominated, acclaimed debut album, historic chart records |
| Fan & Online Culture | Reddit buzz, potential collabs, pop culture shoutouts |
| Broader Significance | Genre-defying, representational impact, herald of country’s evolving future |
Conclusion
Shaboozy is not just breaking records—he’s breaking molds. With a commanding 19-week reign atop the Billboard Hot 100, pioneering genre fusion, and high-profile collaborations, he’s ushering in a new era for country music. He embodies a fresh and inclusive storytelling voice, rooted in diverse heritage and digital-age expression.
Would you like to explore further? I can dive into his discography, Grammy journey, or do a comparative study of genre-blending artists tomorrow.
