Shaboozey

Shaboozey: Real Name, Age, Songs, Albums and Career Story

User avatar placeholder
Written by Alex Empire

October 3, 2026

Shaboozey is an American singer, rapper and songwriter who blends country, hip hop and rock. His real name is Collins Obinna Chibueze, and he was born on May 9, 1995. 

“A Bar Song (Tipsy)” made him a household name in 2024. By 2026 he had a Grammy, a fourth album and a packed fall tour. Here is the full picture, from his name to his newest music.

Shaboozey Quick Facts

DetailInformation
Full nameCollins Obinna Chibueze
Stage nameShaboozey
Age31 (born May 9, 1995)
BirthplaceNorthern Virginia, raised in Woodbridge
HeritageNigerian American (Igbo)
ProfessionSinger, rapper, songwriter, filmmaker, producer
GenresCountry, hip hop, rock, Americana
LabelAmerican Dogwood (current album era), earlier with Empire
Height6 feet 2 inches 
WeightAround 75 kg 
SpouseReportedly married to a Nigerian woman, name not publicly disclosed
ChildrenNot publicly disclosed
Net worthEstimated $10 million 
Social handlesX: @ShaboozeysJeans; Instagram and TikTok under Shaboozey

Who Is Shaboozey?

Shaboozey
Shaboozey

Shaboozey is a Nigerian American artist who mixes country storytelling with hip hop rhythm. He grew up in the Washington, D.C. area and now sits among the most talked about names in modern country music.

His parents are both from Nigeria, and his father is an immigrant. Shaboozey has said he spent two years at a boarding school in Nigeria during junior high. He also dreamed of becoming a novelist as a kid.

That love of stories shows up in every song. He writes about outlaws, bars, heartbreak and second chances. Think cowboy paperback, but with a bass line.

Where Does the Name Shaboozey Come From?

The name Shaboozey comes from a mispronounced version of his surname, Chibueze. In the Igbo language, Chibueze means “God is king.”

Reports say his high school football coach botched the pronunciation. Teammates found it funny, and the nickname stuck for good. The correct pronunciation of the real name is roughly “Chee BWAY zay.”

It is a great reminder that the best brand names often arrive by accident.

How Did Shaboozey Start His Music Career?

Shaboozey
Shaboozey

Shaboozey started small, with self made music and a lot of hustle. In 2014 he founded a production company called V Picture Films, which fits his filmmaker side.

His first major exposure came in 2018. He appeared on “Start a Riot” with Duckwrth, a track on the Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse soundtrack. That same year he moved to Los Angeles and signed with Republic Records.

He released Lady Wrangler in 2018 and Cowboys Live Forever, Outlaws Never Die in 2022. Both albums carried the Western imagery that later became his signature.

Early on, he was reportedly his own manager. His father ran businesses, and that entrepreneurial mindset rubbed off.

How Did Beyoncé Change Shaboozey’s Career?

Beyoncé gave Shaboozey a global stage by putting him on two songs from her 2024 album Cowboy Carter. Her team reportedly heard his unreleased “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” and asked him to join the project.

The two tracks were:

  1. “Spaghettii” with Linda Martell, the first solo Black woman to perform at the Grand Ole Opry
  2. “Sweet Honey Buckiin'”

Shaboozey was nominated at the Grammys for his feature on “Spaghettii” in the melodic rap category. Fans also saw him on stage with Beyoncé during her Christmas Day NFL halftime show in 2024.

The spotlight raised bigger questions about Black artists and African influence in country music. Shaboozey didn’t pick a side in the debate. He just kept making songs.

Read More: Riley Green: Age, Songs, Career, The Voice, and Life Story(2026)

What Made “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” So Huge?

“A Bar Song (Tipsy)” became one of the biggest country crossover hits ever. It reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and reportedly stayed there for 19 weeks, matching a record set by Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road.”

Here is why it worked:

  • A simple, singable hook that anyone can shout in a crowd
  • A relaxed beat borrowed from hip hop
  • Honky tonk imagery that feels familiar even to new country fans
  • Short, punchy verses built for replay

It also made history. Shaboozey became the first Black male artist to top the Hot 100 and the Hot Country Songs chart at the same time.

The song’s success pushed his 2024 album, Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going, into the mainstream. It remains his calling card at live shows. His 2026 iHeartCountry Festival set in Austin ended with it, and the crowd sang every word.

What Are Shaboozey’s Albums?

Shaboozey has released four studio albums, and the newest arrived on July 31, 2026. Each one pushes his Western storytelling a bit further.

AlbumYearNotes
Lady Wrangler2018Debut, early blend of Western themes and rap
Cowboys Live Forever, Outlaws Never Die2022Sophomore album with a bolder sound
Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going2024Breakout project, home of “A Bar Song (Tipsy)”
The Outlaw Cherie Lee & Other Western Tales2026Concept album with a revenge story

What Is the Story of The Outlaw Cherie Lee & Other Western Tales?

The 2026 album is a concept record built around a character named Cherie Lee. She sets out to avenge her father’s murder, then falls for one of the outlaws. The tale ends in a bloody, tragic climax.

It is closer to a Western film than a regular playlist. Given his background in filmmaking, that tracks.

The lead single, “Born to Die,” arrived on April 24, 2026. The second single, “Cowgirl,” followed ahead of the album.

What Awards Has Shaboozey Won?

Shaboozey won a Grammy in 2026 for Best Country Duo/Group Performance. The winning track was “Amen,” his collaboration with Jelly Roll.

Here is a quick look at his awards run:

  • Five Grammy nominations at the 2025 ceremony, with no wins that night
  • A Country Music Association Awards nomination in 2024
  • A 2026 Grammy win for “Amen” with Jelly Roll
  • Two 2026 MTV VMA nominations for “Cowgirl,” in Best Country and Best Cinematography

The 2025 shutout stung, but he came back a year later with a trophy. That arc makes for a good story.

What Is Shaboozey Doing in 2026?

Shaboozey is on a major North American tour, and he just performed at the MTV Video Music Awards. It has been a busy year, even by his standards.

The Outlaws Never Die Tour

The headline run began September 8, 2026, in Phoenix. It reportedly runs through October 27 and hits cities such as Austin, Nashville, Atlanta, Boston, Washington D.C., New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, San Francisco and a finale in Los Angeles.

This follows his 2025 tour, The Great American Roadshow, which wrapped in the fall of that year.

The 2026 VMAs Performance

On September 27, 2026, Shaboozey performed “Cowgirl” and “High Noon” at the VMAs. Rapper Gunna joined him for “High Noon,” and it was their first time performing the song together.

The set opened in a saloon, complete with card players and a staged bar fight. “High Noon” reportedly peaked at number 11 on the Hot Country Songs chart.

Other Recent Releases

Shaboozey kept busy with collaborations and singles before the album:

  1. “Good News” (November 2024)
  2. “Blink Twice” with Myles Smith (2025)
  3. “Amen” with Jelly Roll (2025)
  4. “Born to Die” (April 2026)
  5. “Cowgirl” (2026)

What Kind of Music Does Shaboozey Make?

Shaboozey makes country music with a hip hop pulse. Some critics label it alt country, others call it country rap or Americana.

He grew up on classic hip hop and R&B, along with country legends like Kenny Rogers and Garth Brooks. Pulp Western novels fed his lyrics.

You can hear all of it in his songs. A twangy guitar might sit under a rapped verse. A big chorus might follow a quiet, spoken line.

Does he belong in country? Fans argue about it online all the time. His sold out crowds and charting singles suggest the audience made up its mind.

Common Mistakes People Make About Shaboozey

Many casual listeners get a few basics wrong. Here are the most common slips and the right answers.

  • Thinking he is a one hit artist. His catalog stretches back to 2018, and he won a Grammy with a different song.
  • Saying his name wrong. The stage name rhymes with “booze,” but the surname is pronounced differently.
  • Assuming “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” was his first big break. The Beyoncé features and the Spider-Verse soundtrack came first.
  • Skipping the albums. The 2026 record is built as one connected story, so shuffle mode loses the plot.
  • Calling him only a rapper. He sings, writes, produces and directs.

Tips for New Shaboozey Listeners

Start with the hits, then work backward through the albums. Here is an easy path.

  1. Play “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” for the sound that started it all.
  2. Try “Good News” for his softer, reflective side.
  3. Move to “Amen” with Jelly Roll for something heavier.
  4. Listen to “Blink Twice” with Myles Smith for a warm, melodic mood.
  5. Finish with The Outlaw Cherie Lee & Other Western Tales from start to end.

If you can catch him live, do it. His shows lean theatrical, with a cowboy movie feel.

Frequently Asked Questions

How old is Shaboozey?

Shaboozey is 31 years old. He was born on May 9, 1995.

What is Shaboozey’s real name?

His real name is Collins Obinna Chibueze. The stage name comes from a mispronunciation of Chibueze.

Is Shaboozey Nigerian?

He is Nigerian American. He was born and raised in Virginia to Nigerian parents.

What is Shaboozey’s biggest song?

“A Bar Song (Tipsy)” is his biggest hit. It topped the Billboard Hot 100 for a reported 19 weeks.

Did Shaboozey win a Grammy?

Yes. He won Best Country Duo/Group Performance in 2026 for “Amen” with Jelly Roll.

Final Thoughts 

Shaboozey turned a mispronounced surname into one of the most recognizable names in music. He built his career through patience, film instincts and a sound that ignores genre fences.

With a Grammy, a concept album and a sprawling tour, 2026 may be his strongest year yet. If you haven’t listened beyond “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” now is the time. The outlaw story is still being written.

Image placeholder

Lorem ipsum amet elit morbi dolor tortor. Vivamus eget mollis nostra ullam corper. Pharetra torquent auctor metus felis nibh velit. Natoque tellus semper taciti nostra. Semper pharetra montes habitant congue integer magnis.

Leave a Comment