At this year’s CMA Awards in Nashville, Shaboozey emerged as a standout figure, generating buzz throughout the event. Host Luke Bryan incorporated puns related to Shaboozey in his opening remarks, and the artist was even mentioned in an acceptance speech by Cody Johnson’s producer, although not all the jokes resonated with the audience.
Born Collins Obinna Chibueze, Shaboozey chose his stage name during high school after a misspelling by his football coach. He was nominated for two awards at the 58th Annual CMA Awards and performed his hit track “Tipsy (A Bar Song)” along with another favorite, “Highway.”
Prior to his performance, Bryan teased the crowd by mentioning Shaboozey, even playfully referring to his hit song with a twist: “Yeah, we call that a sha-doozey.”
Meanwhile, Cody Johnson received the album of the year award for “Leather” during the event. In his acceptance speech, he expressed surprise and afterward, handed the microphone to his producer, Trent Willmon. In a perplexing moment, Willmon stated, “This is for this cowboy who’s been kicking Shaboozey for a lot of years,” leaving fans confused about the meaning behind his words. Was it a dig at Shaboozey or simply a play on words? The puzzling comment sparked discussions across social media platforms.
Many fans speculated that the comment was an attempt at humor that didn’t quite land. One user suggested it was a poor pun, while others echoed their confusion regarding the remark.
In response to the comments, Shaboozey took to social media after the ceremony, sharing a joyful photo from inside an SUV limousine, captioned, “ain’t nobody kicking me!” signaling his good spirits despite the confusion.
The CMA Awards can be watched live on ABC until 10 p.m. CT, with a replay available on Hulu the next day.
This whirlwind of attention around Shaboozey demonstrates the artist’s growing prominence in the country music scene, and his positive reaction amidst the zany moments showcases his ability to maintain a good sense of humor. As audiences engage with his work, it’s clear that Shaboozey is carving out a space for himself in the industry, leaving fans eager to see what comes next.