In a recent interview, country music star Shaboozey disclosed the origin of his stage name. The “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” singer reflected on the impact of his formative years on his professional trajectory in the most recent Billboard cover story.
On Thursday, October 3, 2024, Billboard reported an interview with Shaboozey, where he discussed how his name came to be. Shaboozey said, “It could be a little confusing at times. Hearing your name [mispronounced] during attendance was always an issue; you felt compelled to make it simpler for everyone else to comprehend.”
After his high school football coach misread Chibueze, which means “God is King” in Igbo, it went from a nickname to his stage name.
Who Is Shaboozey?
Shaboozey is an American musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer. He originally received widespread attention for his 2018 song “Start a Riot,” which featured Duckwrth. The track had appeared on the soundtrack for Sony’s “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.”
Subsequently, in 2024, he worked with Beyoncé on two songs off her eighth studio album, “Cowboy Carter.” Later, in 2024, he recorded the country hit “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” which reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100.
Following the release of “Starfoxx” and “Robert Plant,” he was noticed and signed by Republic Records in 2017. After releasing his debut studio album, “Lady Wrangler,” in 2018, Republic Records distributed it. His sophomore studio album, “Cowboys Live Forever, Outlaws Never Die,” was released through Empire Distribution in October 2022.
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His third studio album, “Where I Have Been, Is Not Where I am Going,” was published on May 31, 2024. Shaboozey has expressed his plans to promote his album by headlining gigs in the U.S. and opening for Jessie Murph’s tour. His previous work was more trap-influenced, while his latter tracks have a folk-pop vibe with acoustic guitar.
Which Shaboozey Songs Propelled Him to Fame?
When his song with Duckwrth, “Start a Riot,” got featured in “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse,” Shaboozey received widespread attention. After Beyoncé included him as a guest artist on two songs from her album Cowboy Carter earlier this year, he utilized that power to thrust himself into the spotlight.
And now, as a Black Country musician, he is forging his route and defining his career. After months of simmering popularity and scaling Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart, Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” has finally hit the Billboard Hot 100 summit, making the Virginia singer the first Black male artist to do so.
The only other Black artist to do so is his partner Beyoncé, who accomplished the same feat earlier this year with her song “Texas Hold ‘Em.”
What Is Shaboozey’s Net Worth?
Shaboozey is an American rapper and singer-songwriter with an estimated net worth between $1 million and $5 million. Known for his distinct musical style, Shaboozey has created a fanbase and an audience.
His music is a stunning mix of genres, inspired by iconic bands such as The Rolling Stones, Grateful Dead, Bob Dylan, and Led Zeppelin, as well as Martin Scorsese’s cinematic works.
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What Is Shaboozey Real Name?
While he is popularly known as Shaboozey, his real name is Collins Obinna Chibueze. In June 2024, Shaboozey revealed during an interview more about the origins of his stage name.
He said, “Playing football in high school as a freshman, you come in, and you’re kind of the guy that has to prove themselves. And my coach had seen my last name, and he was like ‘Shaboozey,’ wrote it on a helmet, like exactly how it’s spelled as my artist name, and smacked it on my helmet.”
Shaboozey said he embraced the error in his freshman year to progress and found it exciting. He continued, “I just got called that throughout my years in high school and Woodbridge, and everyone around town knew me as that. I thought it was cool to just play up my football coaches like, ‘Look at me now.’”
Speaking about his coach, Shaboozey stated that he was no longer in contact with the coach who misspelled his name. However, he joked, saying, “He might go to the dinner table every night and say, ‘Do you know I named him?’”
Where Is Shaboozey From?
Shaboozey was born in northern Virginia on May 9, 1995, to Nigerian immigrant parents and grew up in Woodbridge. His stage moniker comes from mispronouncing his surname, which means “God is King” in Igbo. He was motivated as a youngster by seeing music videos on 106 & Park and attending a boarding school in Nigeria.
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His father initially moved from Nigeria to Texas to pursue education, where he became interested in community development. He finally purchased land in Virginia, where he and his wife resided, and Shaboozey was born and raised. When his father returned to Nigeria, he established a farm.
Speaking with Baller Alert, Shaboozey said, “He was always big on working with his hands. If anything, I kinda ended up being a lot like him.” During this period, Shaboozey attended boarding school in his own country, which he credits with influencing his outlook.
Shaboozey stated that while he listened to Ja Rule and Usher, his father exposed him to country singers such as Kenny Rogers and Garth Brooks.
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