Shaboozey: Songs, Albums, Biography and Country Music Career

Shaboozey is one of the most exciting and original artists reshaping modern country music.

The Virginia-raised singer, songwriter and producer blends country storytelling, Americana, Western imagery, hip-hop rhythms, folk instrumentation and alternative rock into a sound that is both familiar and forward-looking. His music reflects barroom loneliness, romantic uncertainty, ambition, cultural identity and the search for a better life.

Shaboozey’s international breakthrough arrived with “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” a country crossover anthem that transformed J-Kwon’s 2004 hip-hop hook into a modern celebration of long workweeks, crowded bars and temporary escape. The song became a defining hit of the 2020s and introduced millions of listeners to an artist who had already spent years developing his genre-crossing style.

His growing catalog also includes standout tracks such as “Let It Burn,” “Last of My Kind,” “Vegas,” “Good News,” “Highway,” “Annabelle,” “Amen” and “Born to Die.”

Shaboozey reached an even wider audience through appearances on Beyoncé’s landmark country-influenced album Cowboy Carter. His work on “SPAGHETTII” and “SWEET ★ HONEY ★ BUCKIIN’” placed him at the center of a major conversation about country music’s history, boundaries and future.

In 2026, Shaboozey earned his first GRAMMY Award when “Amen,” his collaboration with Jelly Roll, won Best Country Duo/Group Performance. He has received eight GRAMMY nominations through the 2026 ceremony.

Listen to Shaboozey and more of today’s most innovative country artists on Wild Country Radio.

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Shaboozey at a Glance

Real Name: Collins Obinna Chibueze
Stage Name: Shaboozey
Born: May 9, 1995
Raised: Woodbridge, Virginia
Genres: Country, Americana, country rap, hip-hop, folk and alternative music
Occupation: Singer, songwriter, producer and filmmaker
Breakthrough Hit: “A Bar Song (Tipsy)”
Breakthrough Album: Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going
Signature Songs: “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” “Let It Burn,” “Last of My Kind,” “Vegas,” “Good News” and “Amen”
GRAMMY Awards: One win from eight nominations through 2026
Upcoming Album: The Outlaw Cherie Lee & Other Western Tales
Official Artist Hub: Shaboozey Official Links

Shaboozey was born Collins Obinna Chibueze and grew up in Woodbridge, Virginia. His stage name developed from a variation of his surname, which was frequently mispronounced during his school years. His music combines country and Americana traditions with hip-hop production and modern storytelling.

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Who Is Shaboozey?

Shaboozey is an American country and hip-hop artist known for combining Western imagery with contemporary production.

Unlike performers who entered country music through Nashville’s traditional songwriting system, Shaboozey developed independently. His early releases explored alternative hip-hop, cinematic storytelling, rock, folk and outlaw themes before country radio embraced his music.

This long creative development is important to understanding his success.

“A Bar Song (Tipsy)” may have introduced Shaboozey to mainstream audiences, but it did not represent the sudden invention of a new identity. His earlier albums had already explored cowboys, outlaws, highways, personal freedom and the conflict between survival and ambition.

His work frequently draws from several musical traditions:

• Country storytelling
• Americana and folk
• Hip-hop beats and phrasing
• Western film imagery
• Alternative rock
• Blues and gospel
• African and Nigerian cultural heritage
• Modern pop songwriting

That combination has helped Shaboozey reach country listeners without abandoning the musical influences that shaped his earlier career.

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Shaboozey’s Early Life in Virginia

Shaboozey grew up in Woodbridge, Virginia, outside Washington, D.C.

His parents are Nigerian, giving him a cultural background that combines American and Nigerian experiences. That perspective distinguishes his work within modern country music and contributes to his interest in identity, migration and belonging.

Virginia also has a deep musical history involving country, bluegrass, folk, gospel, blues and hip-hop. Growing up near several cultural regions exposed Shaboozey to sounds that did not fit neatly within one genre.

His artistic interests extended beyond recording music. Film, fashion, photography and Western cinema became important parts of his creative identity. His songs and videos frequently feel cinematic, with recurring images of highways, deserts, saloons, dangerous relationships and solitary travelers.

Rather than treating the American West as a costume, Shaboozey uses it as a storytelling environment. The outlaw becomes a character through whom he can explore independence, loneliness, ambition and survival.

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How Shaboozey Got His Stage Name

Shaboozey’s real surname is Chibueze.

The name Shaboozey developed from the way other people pronounced or misspelled his surname. What began as a variation eventually became a memorable professional name.

The unusual spelling helped him stand out, but the name also represents a larger theme in his career: transforming misunderstanding into identity.

That idea appears throughout his music. Shaboozey frequently takes sounds, images or experiences that are assumed to belong to separate worlds and combines them into something personal.

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Shaboozey’s Early Music Career

Before achieving mainstream country success, Shaboozey spent years releasing independent music and developing a dedicated audience.

His early work leaned more heavily toward alternative hip-hop and atmospheric production. However, country, folk and Western influences were already present.

He attracted early attention through songs connected to the 2018 animated film Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. That exposure introduced his voice to a broader audience while allowing him to continue experimenting outside conventional genre categories.

Shaboozey’s early projects demonstrated several qualities that would remain central to his later work:

• Cinematic songwriting
• Melodic rap delivery
• Themes of isolation and ambition
• Western symbolism
• Guitar-driven arrangements
• A willingness to cross musical boundaries

His gradual rise gave him time to create a clear artistic identity before “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” became a global success.

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The Breakthrough Success of “A Bar Song (Tipsy)”

“A Bar Song (Tipsy)” became Shaboozey’s defining breakthrough in 2024.

The song reimagines the familiar chorus from J-Kwon’s early-2000s hit “Tipsy” within a country setting. Acoustic instrumentation, handclaps, barroom storytelling and a highly recognizable refrain create a bridge between two generations and two musical traditions.

The narrator works hard, feels financial pressure and goes to the bar looking for temporary relief. That straightforward premise made the song relatable across country, pop and hip-hop audiences.

Its success depended on more than nostalgia.

Shaboozey recognized that the emotional setting of the original hook could work naturally within country music. Songs about drinking, working, money problems and gathering at a neighborhood bar have always been central to country storytelling.

“A Bar Song (Tipsy)” therefore feels less like an artificial mashup and more like a discovery of common ground.

The recording became a major streaming success and entered Spotify’s Billions Club after surpassing one billion streams.

It also earned Shaboozey several 2025 GRAMMY nominations, including Song of the Year, Best Country Song and Best Country Solo Performance.

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Why “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” Became So Popular

Several qualities helped “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” connect with such a large audience.

A Familiar Chorus

The reference to J-Kwon’s “Tipsy” gives the song immediate recognition without overwhelming Shaboozey’s original writing.

Country Music Storytelling

The verses describe work, money and going to a bar after a difficult week. These are timeless country themes.

Cross-Genre Production

Acoustic guitar and country rhythm sit beside phrasing influenced by hip-hop and pop.

A Strong Group Chorus

The song is built for people to sing together at bars, concerts, sporting events and parties.

Cultural Timing

The recording arrived as audiences were becoming increasingly interested in music that challenged strict genre boundaries.

“A Bar Song (Tipsy)” succeeds because it feels contemporary while drawing from traditions that listeners already understand.

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Shaboozey and Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter

Shaboozey appeared on Beyoncé’s 2024 album Cowboy Carter, contributing to “SPAGHETTII” and “SWEET ★ HONEY ★ BUCKIIN’.”

The project examined the relationship among country, folk, blues, gospel, rock and Black American musical history. Shaboozey’s presence made sense within that concept because his own work consistently moves between those traditions.

His appearance on the album introduced him to a large global audience shortly before “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” became a dominant hit.

The collaboration also placed Shaboozey within a wider movement of Black performers receiving renewed attention in country and Americana.

His contribution to “SPAGHETTII” was included among his 2025 GRAMMY-nominated work in the Best Melodic Rap Performance category.

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Shaboozey’s Musical Style

Shaboozey’s music blends modern country with hip-hop, folk, Americana and alternative production.

His recordings commonly feature:

• Acoustic guitar
• Banjo and folk instrumentation
• Programmed drums
• Country vocal melodies
• Rap-influenced phrasing
• Atmospheric synthesizers
• Western imagery
• Group vocals and handclaps
• Cinematic sound design
• Themes of travel, loneliness and survival

His voice is especially important.

Shaboozey can shift between conversational verses, melodic singing and rhythmic delivery without making the transitions feel forced. This flexibility allows him to move from an intimate folk song to a barroom anthem or darker alternative-country production.

His lyrics often focus on people caught between where they have been and where they hope to go.

That conflict became the central idea behind the title Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going.

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Best Shaboozey Songs

“A Bar Song (Tipsy)”

Shaboozey’s international breakthrough combines country barroom storytelling with a reworked reference to J-Kwon’s “Tipsy.”

The song explores work, financial pressure and the desire to escape into a night of drinking and community.

“Let It Burn”

“Let It Burn” is a reflective breakup song about accepting the end of a relationship rather than continuing to fight for something that has already been lost.

Its acoustic arrangement highlights Shaboozey’s ability to deliver emotional country material without heavy production.

“Last of My Kind”

Featuring Paul Cauthen, “Last of My Kind” presents two independent characters who feel increasingly disconnected from the modern world.

The track combines outlaw-country attitude with a sense of loneliness and cultural displacement.

“Vegas”

“Vegas” examines risk, ambition and the belief that success may always be one gamble away.

The city becomes a symbol of both opportunity and danger.

“Annabelle”

“Annabelle” is a character-driven song involving desire, memory and emotional distance.

Its cinematic quality demonstrates Shaboozey’s interest in creating stories that feel like scenes from a film.

“Drink Don’t Need No Mix”

Featuring BigXthaPlug, the track blends country nightlife with Southern hip-hop.

Its heavier production reveals another side of Shaboozey’s cross-genre style.

“Steal Her From Me”

This relationship song combines jealousy, uncertainty and the fear that another person may take away someone you love.

“My Fault”

“My Fault,” featuring Noah Cyrus, explores the regret and shared responsibility left after a relationship fails.

Their contrasting vocal styles add emotional tension to the performance.

“East of the Massanutten”

The song connects Shaboozey’s music to Virginia landscapes and personal memory.

Its regional detail gives the track the grounded quality of traditional folk and country storytelling.

“Highway”

“Highway” uses the open road as a symbol of escape and emotional movement.

Travel appears throughout Shaboozey’s work as both freedom and isolation.

“Good News”

“Good News” addresses exhaustion and the desire to hear something hopeful after a long period of difficulty.

The song earned 2026 GRAMMY nominations for Best Country Solo Performance and Best Country Song.

“Amen”

Shaboozey joined Jelly Roll on “Amen,” a country collaboration built around faith, hardship and gratitude.

The song won Best Country Duo/Group Performance at the 2026 GRAMMY Awards, giving Shaboozey his first GRAMMY victory.

“Born to Die”

Released in 2026, “Born to Die” introduced the story-driven direction of Shaboozey’s next album era.

The song leans into Western drama, love and mortality while preserving his blend of country and cinematic production.

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Essential Shaboozey Albums

Lady Wrangler

Released in 2017, Lady Wrangler introduced Shaboozey’s interest in alternative hip-hop, rock, Western culture and cinematic storytelling.

The album is considerably more experimental than the music that later made him a mainstream country star.

However, it established themes that continued throughout his career:

• Outlaw characters
• Personal ambition
• Romantic conflict
• American mythology
• Genre experimentation

For listeners who discovered Shaboozey through “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” Lady Wrangler provides valuable insight into the earliest version of his musical identity.

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Cowboys Live Forever, Outlaws Never Die

Released in 2022, Cowboys Live Forever, Outlaws Never Die moved Shaboozey further toward country, folk and Americana.

The album uses the cowboy and outlaw as symbols of independence and cultural survival.

Its production combines acoustic instrumentation with electronic textures, hip-hop rhythms and alternative rock.

The project helped establish the musical direction that would reach a larger audience two years later.

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Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going

Released May 31, 2024, Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going became Shaboozey’s commercial breakthrough album.

Essential tracks include:

• “A Bar Song (Tipsy)”
• “Let It Burn”
• “Last of My Kind”
• “Vegas”
• “Annabelle”
• “Drink Don’t Need No Mix”
• “Steal Her From Me”
• “My Fault”
• “East of the Massanutten”

The album balances accessible country songs with darker, more atmospheric recordings.

Its title captures the central story of Shaboozey’s career: the past matters, but it does not have to determine the future.

The project helped transform him from an independent genre-blending artist into a global country star.

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The Outlaw Cherie Lee & Other Western Tales

Shaboozey announced his fourth studio album, The Outlaw Cherie Lee & Other Western Tales, for release on July 31, 2026, through American Dogwood and EMPIRE.

The concept album is described as a collection of interconnected Western stories involving love, revenge and outlaw characters. Jamie Foxx is attached as the project’s narrator. Shaboozey’s official Instagram announcement identifies the album as a story of “love, revenge, and everything in between.”

The album continues his interest in using Western mythology as a framework for modern emotional stories.

“Born to Die” is among the songs introducing this new chapter.

Because the album had not yet been released at the time of publication, its complete sound and final place within Shaboozey’s catalog remain to be seen.

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Shaboozey’s GRAMMY Awards and Nominations

Shaboozey has earned one GRAMMY Award from eight nominations through the 2026 ceremony.

His nominated work includes:

• “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” — Song of the Year
• “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” — Best Country Song
• “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” — Best Country Solo Performance
• “SPAGHETTII” — Best Melodic Rap Performance
• Best New Artist
• “Good News” — Best Country Solo Performance
• “Good News” — Best Country Song
• “Amen” with Jelly Roll — Best Country Duo/Group Performance

“Amen” won Best Country Duo/Group Performance at the 2026 GRAMMY Awards.

The victory was significant because it recognized Shaboozey within a country category after years of creating music that crossed country, rap and alternative boundaries.

Visit the Recording Academy’s official Shaboozey profile.

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Shaboozey’s Influence on Modern Country Music

Shaboozey is part of a broader generation challenging the belief that country music must have one sound, image or cultural background.

His work demonstrates that country music can include:

• Hip-hop rhythms
• Nigerian American identity
• Pop hooks
• Alternative production
• Black Western history
• Traditional acoustic instruments
• Contemporary urban experiences

Country music has always developed through cultural exchange. African American musicians played essential roles in the histories of the banjo, blues, gospel, rock and early country music.

Shaboozey’s career brings that history into the present while creating music designed for contemporary listeners.

He is not simply adding rap to country. His work searches for the emotional and cultural connections that already exist between them.

Both traditions frequently tell stories about:

• Hard work
• Economic pressure
• Community
• Survival
• Celebration
• Regional identity
• Escaping difficult circumstances
• Personal ambition

That shared storytelling foundation makes Shaboozey’s musical combinations feel natural.

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Why Shaboozey Became a Breakout Star

Shaboozey’s rise resulted from more than one successful song.

A Distinctive Sound

His music is immediately recognizable but difficult to confine to one genre.

A Strong Visual Identity

Western clothing, cinematic videos and outlaw imagery give his work a consistent visual world.

Years of Development

He had already released multiple albums before achieving mainstream country success.

Cultural Relevance

His music arrived during an important period of renewed attention to Black country artists and the genre’s multicultural history.

Accessible Songwriting

“A Bar Song (Tipsy)” works because its story is simple, memorable and universal.

Cross-Genre Credibility

His earlier hip-hop work and later country success feel like parts of the same career rather than unrelated identities.

Shaboozey’s story demonstrates that an artist can reach the mainstream without erasing the unusual qualities that made the music interesting.

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Shaboozey’s Live Performances and Touring

Shaboozey’s live performances combine country instrumentation, hip-hop energy and large audience participation.

“A Bar Song (Tipsy)” has become a natural concert centerpiece because its chorus invites the entire audience to participate.

His shows may include:

• Full-band country arrangements
• Acoustic storytelling moments
• Hip-hop-influenced performances
• Audience singalongs
• Western visual design
• Material from his early independent albums
• New songs and collaborations

Shaboozey announced the 25-date Outlaws Never Die Tour for fall 2026, with scheduled stops in cities including Austin, Oklahoma City, Charlotte, Philadelphia, Chicago and Nashville.

Current concert and ticket information is available through his official artist links.

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Similar Artists to Shaboozey

Fans searching for artists like Shaboozey may also enjoy these country, Americana and crossover performers.

Beyoncé

Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter explores country, folk, rock, gospel and Black American musical history.

Recommended songs:

• “TEXAS HOLD ’EM”
• “16 CARRIAGES”
• “BODYGUARD”
• “SWEET ★ HONEY ★ BUCKIIN’”

Visit Beyoncé’s official website.

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Jelly Roll

Jelly Roll combines country, Southern rock, hip-hop, gospel and songs about struggle and redemption.

Recommended songs:

• “Save Me”
• “Need a Favor”
• “Son of a Sinner”
• “I Am Not Okay”

Visit Jelly Roll’s official website.

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Kane Brown

Kane Brown blends modern country with pop, R&B and hip-hop influences.

Recommended songs:

• “Heaven”
• “What Ifs”
• “Homesick”
• “Like I Love Country Music”

Visit Kane Brown’s official website.

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Breland

Breland combines country storytelling with pop, R&B and hip-hop production.

Recommended songs:

• “My Truck”
• “Praise the Lord”
• “Throw It Back”
• “For What It’s Worth”

Visit Breland’s official website.

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Willie Jones

Willie Jones blends country, Southern hip-hop, soul and songs about identity.

Recommended songs:

• “American Dream”
• “Down by the Riverside”
• “Get Low, Get High”
• “Slow Cookin’”

Visit Willie Jones’ official website.

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Darius Rucker

Darius Rucker combines country storytelling with pop, rock and soul influences.

Recommended songs:

• “Wagon Wheel”
• “Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It”
• “Alright”
• “Come Back Song”

Visit Darius Rucker’s official website.

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Orville Peck

Orville Peck uses Western imagery, alternative country and dramatic vocal performances.

Recommended songs:

• “Dead of Night”
• “Daytona Sand”
• “C’mon Baby, Cry”
• “Midnight Ride”

Visit Orville Peck’s official website.

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Paul Cauthen

Paul Cauthen blends outlaw country, gospel, rock and soul with a commanding baritone voice.

Recommended songs:

• “Cocaine Country Dancing”
• “Country as Fuck”
• “Holy Ghost Fire”
• “Wild Man”

Visit Paul Cauthen’s official website.

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BigXthaPlug

BigXthaPlug brings Texas identity and Southern storytelling to modern hip-hop and country collaborations.

Recommended songs:

• “Texas”
• “Mmhmm”
• “The Largest”
• “All the Way”

Visit BigXthaPlug’s official website.

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Post Malone

Post Malone has crossed among hip-hop, pop, rock and country while collaborating with major Nashville artists.

Recommended songs:

• “I Had Some Help”
• “Pour Me a Drink”
• “Guy for That”
• “California Sober”

Visit Post Malone’s official website.

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Shaboozey Official Artist Links

Official Artist Hub:
Shaboozey Official Links

GRAMMY Profile:
Shaboozey at the Recording Academy

Spotify:
Shaboozey on Spotify

Apple Music:
Shaboozey on Apple Music

YouTube:
Shaboozey on YouTube

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Shaboozey Social Media Links

Instagram:
Shaboozey on Instagram

TikTok:
Shaboozey on TikTok

Facebook:
Shaboozey on Facebook

X:
Shaboozey on X

YouTube:
Shaboozey Official YouTube Channel

The artist’s Linktree provides a central directory for current social, music and concert destinations.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Shaboozey

What is Shaboozey’s real name?

Shaboozey’s real name is Collins Obinna Chibueze.

Where is Shaboozey from?

Shaboozey was raised in Woodbridge, Virginia.

What nationality is Shaboozey?

Shaboozey is American and was born to Nigerian parents.

What type of music does Shaboozey make?

Shaboozey combines country, Americana, hip-hop, folk, alternative rock and pop.

What is Shaboozey’s most famous song?

“A Bar Song (Tipsy)” is Shaboozey’s biggest and most widely recognized hit.

What song does “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” reference?

The song reworks the familiar chorus from J-Kwon’s 2004 hip-hop hit “Tipsy.”

What album includes “A Bar Song (Tipsy)”?

The song appears on Shaboozey’s 2024 album Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going.

Was Shaboozey on Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter?

Yes. Shaboozey appears on “SPAGHETTII” and “SWEET ★ HONEY ★ BUCKIIN’.”

Has Shaboozey won a GRAMMY?

Yes. Shaboozey and Jelly Roll won Best Country Duo/Group Performance for “Amen” at the 2026 GRAMMY Awards.

How many GRAMMY nominations does Shaboozey have?

The Recording Academy lists Shaboozey with one win and eight nominations through the 2026 GRAMMY Awards.

What is Shaboozey’s new album?

Shaboozey announced The Outlaw Cherie Lee & Other Western Tales for release on July 31, 2026.

What artists are similar to Shaboozey?

Similar artists include Jelly Roll, Kane Brown, Breland, Willie Jones, Orville Peck, Paul Cauthen, Beyoncé and Post Malone.

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Listen to Shaboozey on Wild Country Radio

From the worldwide success of “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” to the emotional honesty of “Good News” and the country-gospel power of “Amen,” Shaboozey has become one of the most important genre-blending voices in contemporary country music.

His songs bring together barroom storytelling, Western imagery, hip-hop rhythm and the perspective of a Nigerian American artist raised in Virginia.

That combination makes Shaboozey more than a crossover success.

He represents a country music landscape that is becoming broader, more adventurous and more honest about the many traditions that created it.

Wild Country Radio celebrates Shaboozey alongside the legends, hitmakers and emerging performers shaping country music’s future.

 

Listen now: WildCountryMusic.Radio