Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song” climbed to the top of the Billboard Hot 100, marking a milestone for the artist known for blending country and hip-hop.
Shaboozey, born Collins Obinna Chibueze, took the music world by storm this year. Recently named to Time’s 100 Next List and nominated for two CMA Awards, the rising star is seeing his hard work pay off.
“I definitely dreamed about all of this, but it seemed very impossible, you know?” he said.
Raised in Woodbridge, Virginia, Shaboozey grew up the son of Nigerian immigrants. He said his classmates often mispronounce his name. A nickname, “Shaboozey”, stuck and he adopted it as his stage name.
But his journey has not been easy. He once shoveled snow during a storm just to buy a plane ticket to Los Angeles and pursue his dreams.
“How I got here is just a miracle, you know?” he said.
Shaboozey’s journey to fame
Shaboozey’s big break came when Beyoncé featured him twice on her album “Cowboy Carter.” His genre-blending style caught his attention, and he worked alongside singer Linda Martell.
Shaboozey told “CBS Mornings” co-host Gayle King that he doesn’t believe in traditional genres and considers music “free expression.”
Following “Cowboy Carter,” Shaboozey struck gold with “A Bar Song,” which features lyrics from J-Kwon’s 2004 hit “Tipsy.” He shared a memorable moment when J-Kwon sent him a DM with fire emojis, saying, “You got one.”
Shaboozey laughed, recalling, “I was like, damn, J-Kwon hit me. I think once I figured that out, I was like, there’s definitely something special about this song.”
During his first headlining tour, Shaboozey performed at a sold-out show in New York.
“It’s definitely my dream. Before, I didn’t do shows because I thought no one would come,” he said.
Despite his success, Shaboozey acknowledges the challenges of being a black artist creating what is categorized as country music, but says it’s something he embraces.
“My whole life has been marked by challenges, like not being accepted even in places where I am supposed to be accepted,” he said. “I feel like I’ve adapted to that. … I want to be someone that people remember for doing something.”
Gayle King
