Collins Obinna Chibueze known professionally as Shaboozey, is an American singer, songwriter, rapper, and record producer. He was born on May 9th 1995. 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 who attended college in Texas. 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’s music combines hip-hop, country, and Americana. 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.
Four: SPAGHETTII
“SPAGHETTII,” a standout track from Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter album, was released on March 29, 2024, and features vocals from Shaboozey and legendary Black country artist Linda Martell. The song blends country, hip-hop, and spoken word to challenge traditional genre boundaries and reclaim Black presence in country music. This track has garnered over 57M streams on spotify and over 4M views on it’s Official Music Video on YouTube. For Shaboozey, this collaboration was a major turning point in his career. Although he had been making genre-blending music for years, “SPAGHETTII” introduced him to a massive global audience. The Beyoncé cosign put him on the radar of millions, giving him a level of visibility and credibility that independent artists rarely achieve overnight. It positioned him as a key voice in the growing wave of Black country artists reclaiming space in a genre that has often marginalized them. Ultimately, “SPAGHETTII” didn’t just give Shaboozey a feature — it gave him a launchpad into mainstream success, aligning him with a powerful movement to redefine country music through a Black, genre-fusing lens.
FYI
- 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.
Three: Good News
“Good News” is a song by American country musician Shaboozey, released on November 15, 2024 as the lead single from the complete edition of Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going. It was produced by Sean Cook and Nevin Sastry. It has garnered over 107M streams on spotify and over 18M views on it’s Official Music Video on YouTube. “Good News” achieved notable international success, reaching number one on Australia’s Country Hot 50 chart, number 14 on Canada’s Country Billboard chart, and cracking the top 10 in New Zealand’s Hot Singles chart. It also charted in other countries including Australia’s ARIA and the UK Singles Sales chart, showcasing Shaboozey’s growing global appeal. Following the huge success of his previous single “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” which celebrated carefree fun, “Good News” marked a more introspective and serious side of Shaboozey’s music. It helped solidify his reputation as a versatile country artist who can blend traditional sounds with honest, modern storytelling.
Two: Fire & Gasoline
“Fire and Gasoline” is a soulful country ballad by Shaboozey, released on May 7, 2025. The track is featured on his deluxe album Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going: The Complete Edition, it served as his latest single release and was produced by Todd Clark. The song uses vivid metaphors of fire and gasoline to symbolize the intense passion and volatility of a past relationship, blending emotional storytelling with traditional country instrumentation like acoustic guitar and subtle percussion. It has garnered over 333K views on YouTube. Shaboozey’s live performance of “Fire and Gasoline” on COLORSxSTUDIOS’ A COLORS ENCORE series received critical acclaim. This performance introduced the song to a wider audience and cemented his reputation as a powerful live artist. Upon its release, “Fire and Gasoline” gained significant attention on streaming platforms, charting notably on Apple Music in several countries, including reaching number 43 in Bhutan.
Awards/Nominations
- Throughout his career he has received five Grammy Award nominations in 2025 and has won three Billboard Music Awards in 2024, two People’s Choice Country Awards in 2024 and an IHeartRadio Music Award in 2025.
Discography
- Lady Wrangler (2018)
- Cowboys Live Forever, Outlaws Never Die (2022)
- Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going (2024)
One: A Bar Song (Tipsy)
“A Bar Song (Tipsy)” is a song by American country musician Shaboozey and it serves as his biggest hit song of all time. The song was released April 12, 2024, as the fourth single from his third album Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going. The track blends country music with hip-hop elements, sampling J-Kwon’s 2004 hit “Tipsy.” It tells the story of a man unwinding at a bar after a tough week, capturing themes of escapism and the need for relief. The song’s catchy chorus and relatable lyrics helped it gain widespread popularity. It has garnered over 1.2B streams on spotify and over 238M views on it’s Official Music Video on YouTube. “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” achieved remarkable success, tying the record for the most weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 with 19 non-consecutive weeks, matching Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road.” It also reached number one on the Billboard Hot Country Songs and Country Airplay charts, breaking records for the longest-running debut single at number one on country radio. In Canada, the song spent 25 weeks at number one on the Hot 100, setting a new record. The track received critical acclaim and multiple award nominations, including three Grammy nominations for Song of the Year, Best Country Song, and Best Country Solo Performance. It also earned nominations at the American Music Awards for New Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, and Social Song of the Year.
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