Shaboozey

Collins Obinna Chibueze, born May 9, 1995, in Woodbridge, Virginia, is an American singer, rapper, and songwriter known for blending country, Americana, and hip-hop. Performing as Shaboozey, he first gained notice with his debut album Lady Wrangler (2017) and its follow-up Cowboys Live Forever, Outlaws Never Die (2022). Wider recognition came through soundtrack contributions: he appeared on Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018) and later on Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter (2024).

His commercial breakthrough arrived with his third album, Where I've Been, Isn't Where I'm Going (2024). Its lead single "A Bar Song (Tipsy)" spent nineteen weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100, tying Lil Nas X's "Old Town Road" for the longest-running number one at the time. The follow-up "Good News" topped the US Country Airplay chart and reached the Hot 100 top 15. In 2025, he teamed with Jelly Roll on "Amen," which won the Grammy for Best Country Duo/Group Performance. Shaboozey has headlined major festivals including Glastonbury (2025), Stagecoach, and CMA Fest (2026), and sold out venues like Rod Laver Arena and the 9:30 Club. He has earned three Billboard Music Awards, two People's Choice Country Awards, and two iHeartRadio Music Awards. Beyond performing, he aims to open a recording studio in Virginia to nurture Mid-Atlantic talent, saying, "When I was young, I knew I would be a storyteller." [edit]

Shaboozey grew up in Woodbridge, Virginia, a suburb of Washington, D.C., in a Christian household of Nigerian Igbo descent. His father, a former farmer in Nigeria who attended college in Texas, favored cowboy attire and country music, while his mother worked as a nurse. These dual influences, country twang alongside hip-hop videos on 106 & Park, shaped his musical palette. For junior high, he spent two years at a boarding school in Nigeria, an experience that broadened his perspective. He graduated from Gar-Field Senior High School in 2013, where he played football as a freshman. As a teenager, he planned to become a novelist, telling Harper's Bazaar, "I was always telling stories, always trying to find ways to create something." He began his music career in 2014 during the SoundCloud rap era, initially earning money shooting music videos and photography, plus modest sums from early gigs. He secured his first record deal in 2017. [edit]

Shaboozey's first major exposure came in 2018 when his song "Start a Riot" appeared on the Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse soundtrack. He released his second album Cowboys Live Forever, Outlaws Never Die in 2022. The pivotal moment arrived in 2024 when he was featured on two tracks from Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter. That same year, his third album Where I've Been, Isn't Where I'm Going debuted in the top five of the Billboard 200 and achieved RIAA Platinum certification. The lead single "A Bar Song (Tipsy)" spent 19 weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, tying the record set by Lil Nas X's "Old Town Road." Forbes estimated the song earned roughly $10 million in royalties and streaming revenue in 2024. "Good News" topped the US Country Airplay chart and reached the Hot 100 top 15. He performed as musical guest on Saturday Night Live in December 2024 and featured in NFL halftime shows. In 2025, his collaboration with Jelly Roll on "Amen" won the Grammy for Best Country Duo/Group Performance. He headlined Glastonbury Festival and earned five Grammy nominations including Best New Artist and Song of the Year. "A Bar Song (Tipsy)" achieved RIAA Diamond certification. He won Billboard Music Awards for Top Song Sales Artist, Top Selling Song, and Top Country Song. In 2026, he headlined CMA Fest. He was named a TIME100 NEXT honoree and Billboard Country Power Player, and included in Forbes 30 Under 30. [edit]

Shaboozey is widely described as a genre-bending artist who fluidly merges country, hip-hop, and Americana. NPR called him "the future of country music," while the Los Angeles Times named him "the breakout country artist of the year." His music emphasizes storytelling, reflecting his Nigerian-American background and Virginia upbringing. He is known for building "his own world" in the alternative country and hip-hop space, and his style often incorporates cowboy aesthetics reminiscent of his father's influence. He draws connections between West African folk tales and country music storytelling traditions. No official fandom name has been reported, but his fanbase has grown rapidly since the success of "A Bar Song (Tipsy)." His social media presence is active but not heavily documented in terms of follower counts. [edit]

Shaboozey has cultivated a fanbase that operates less like a traditional club and more like a decentralized digital collective, rallying around his surreal storytelling and genre-blending sound. While the community lacks an official moniker, they have driven massive engagement through viral moments, most notably the August 2026 incident where he floated down a river at a California wedding. This event transformed him from a musician into a living piece of folklore, with fans eagerly sharing clips and debating the lore of his fictional character, Cherie Lee. His audience also flocked to support his multimedia expansions, pre-saving his 2026 album *The Outlaw Cherie Lee & Other Western Tales* and engaging with his debut comic book project. The group's influence extended into sports culture when his track "High Noon" was selected as the anthem for the 2026-27 college football season, bridging the gap between country hip-hop and collegiate fandom. Despite this cultural saturation, iFANN's Global Fame Engine evaluated Shaboozey in August 2026 and determined that he currently holds no placement in the published rankings, including the Global Top 1,000 or any scope-specific lists. He is not currently ranked among the world's most famous individuals by this metric. This absence of a numerical rank does not diminish the sheer scale of his consumption signals worldwide, which now span streaming platforms, festival headlining slots like the 2026 Global Citizen Festival, and major brand partnerships. The lack of a formal ranking reflects the unique nature of his ascent rather than a lack of visibility; he remains a defining voice in alternative country without fitting into standard hierarchical models.[edit]

Collins Obinna Chibueze adopted his stage name after a high school misspelling of his Igbo surname, which translates to "God is King." Before finding success on Spotify during the SoundCloud rap era, he originally dreamed of becoming a novelist. His background includes two years spent at a boarding school in Nigeria during junior high, while his father worked as a farmer in Nigeria before earning a degree in Texas. He currently owns a production company named V Picture Films. The hit single "A Bar Song (Tipsy)" famously samples J-Kwon's 2004 track "Tipsy." Beyond his discography, legends have emerged around his surreal public appearances. In August 2026, he became the subject of widespread retelling after floating down a river during a wedding photo session in California, an act that blurred the lines between performance art and reality. Fans also discuss the "NASCAR Jacket" story, a recurring anecdote from a GQ profile about him writing a song inspired by his favorite racing jacket. Additionally, his track "High Noon" featuring Gunna secured a spot as the official anthem for the 2026-27 college football season, cementing his crossover appeal.[edit]

Shaboozey's parents are Igbo Nigerians. His father was a farmer in Nigeria who later attended college in Texas, and his mother is a retired nurse. He has not publicly named any siblings. He was raised in a Christian family in Woodbridge, Virginia. As of 2026, he is not married and has no reported children. He has expressed plans to open a recording studio in Virginia to support local talent. [edit]

Shaboozey collaborated with Jelly Roll on the Grammy-winning track "Amen." He was featured on Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter album. His manager is Matt Graham at Range Media Partners. His hit "A Bar Song (Tipsy)" samples J-Kwon's 2004 song "Tipsy." [edit]

No public romantic relationships have been confirmed or reported for Shaboozey by credible outlets. As of 2026, he appears to be single, though this cannot be confirmed without official sources. [edit]

iFANN currently estimates Shaboozey's net worth at $10 Million. This figure reflects his diverse revenue streams, which include music royalties, streaming revenue, touring, and endorsement deals. Forbes reported that "A Bar Song (Tipsy)" earned approximately $10 million in royalties and streaming revenue in 2024 alone. His third album Where I've Been, Isn't Where I'm Going achieved Platinum certification, contributing significantly to his earnings. He has headlined major festivals such as Glastonbury and CMA Fest, and performed at NFL halftime shows, all generating substantial performance fees. Endorsement deals and brand partnerships have also added to his wealth. As his career continues to expand, his net worth is expected to grow.[edit]

Shaboozey has won several major awards. In 2025, his collaboration with Jelly Roll on "Amen" earned a Grammy for Best Country Duo/Group Performance. He has also won three Billboard Music Awards, two People's Choice Country Awards, and two iHeartRadio Music Awards. [edit]