Shaboozey calls out CMA Awards for microaggressions after record-breaking year

Shaboozey, the artist behind 2024’s breakout hit A Bar Song (Tipsy), entered the CMA Awards with two major nominations and a performance slot, but his night took a disappointing turn. Despite his contributions to country music, the evening was overshadowed by microaggressions, including jokes about his name by co-hosts Peyton Manning and Luke Bryan. Cody Johnson’s producer also made an offhand comment referencing Shaboozey in his Album of the Year acceptance speech, though the artist wasn’t nominated in the category.

Born Collins Obinna Chibueze to Nigerian immigrant parents, Shaboozey’s stage name stems from a nickname given by a football coach who struggled to pronounce his surname. At the CMAs, this backstory became the target of poorly received jokes, highlighting the lack of sensitivity toward Black artists in the industry. Despite these incidents, Shaboozey remained gracious, posting on social media, “Ain’t nobody kicking me!”

Shaboozey’s record-breaking year includes A Bar Song (Tipsy) spending 17 weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100 and six Grammy nominations, including Song of the Year and Best Country Song. The artist also appeared on Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter, which celebrated Black country musicians. Fans and industry insiders are now calling on the CMA Awards to issue an apology and create a more inclusive environment for artists of all backgrounds.