Shaboozey: Grammy-nominated Nigerian-born Artiste on Billboard Hot 100 Record
A Bar Song (Tipsy), the smash single by Nigerian-American artiste, Collins Obinna Chibueze, renowned as Shaboozey, is now the joint longest-running number one hit in Billboard Hot 100 chart’s 66-year history, alongside Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road” (featuring Billy Ray Cyrus), with both songs tied at 19 weeks.
The smash hit, a rework from J-Kwon’s 2004 hit “Tipsy,” also ruled the Hot Country Songs chart (for 23 weeks and counting), according to the charts.
The 29-year-old Nigerian-American musician recently bagged six Grammy nominations for the 67th annual awards. They include the coveted Song of the Year, as well as Best New Artist, Best Country Solo Performance, Best Country Song, Best Remixed Recording, and Best Melodic Rap Performance.
“I don’t think I had ever been nominated for an award ever, even as a kid. It’s the Grammys — I’ve never even been invited. It’s a huge deal and a huge honor to me. Personally, I’m super optimistic, but because there’s so much talent on that list it’s going to be a hard one,” Shaboozey, who released his debut single, Jeff Gordon, as a rapper in 2014, told the New York Times.
With Igbo roots from the South East region of Nigeria, Shaboozey was born and raised in Virginia, US, to Nigerian immigrant parents.
The artiste adopted his stage name “Shaboozey” from the mispronunciation of his real name, Chibueze (Chee-boo-eh-zay), which means “God is king” in Igbo.
On staying connected to his Ngerian roots, Shaboozey stated that he spent two years in Nigeria as a young boy.
“I was sent there (to Nigeria) to go to school from (age) 9 to 11. My dad still lives there (Nigeria). My sisters lived there for a long time. It’s always going to be there. So, Virginia, by the way of Nigeria, you know,” he said in an interview.
Currently, A Bar Song (Tipsy), which was released in April 2024, has almost 160 million views on YouTube.
