Music fans all over the world are expressing their anger towards the Country Music Awards (CMAs) for not awarding any wins to Shaboozey last night.
The 58th annual ceremony took place last night, featuring several prominent artists, including Luke Bryan and Shaboozey. Shaboozey, whose real name is Collins, has had an exceptional year in the music industry since being featured on Beyoncé’s highly successful album, “Cowboy Carter.”
In April 2024, Collins released his own single titled “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” which quickly gained popularity on streaming platforms. The track achieved global success and recently spent 18 weeks at the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100, tying it for the longest-running No. 1 hit of the 2020s.
Shaboozey experienced a surge in popularity with the success of their single, resulting in two nominations at the 2024 CMAs. Unfortunately, the singer did not win in either category, causing disappointment among fans.
Many took to social media to express their frustration, with one fan stating, “The fact that Shaboozey didn’t win a single Country Music Award despite having the [No. 1] country song for like 3 months straight is proof that they don’t want somebody black to be the face of country music.”
However, the controversy didn’t end there. A viral clip of Cody Johnson’s music producer, Trent Willmon, claiming that his artist has been “kicking Shaboozey for years” sparked further backlash from viewers.
He Said What? Fans Are Livid With the CMAS for Disrespecting Black Artists
As Cody Johnson stepped up to receive his well-deserved award for album of the year, his producer made a thought-provoking comment that caught everyone’s attention. The exact meaning behind his words remains ambiguous.
Could it be a phrase he grew up hearing from his parents? Or perhaps he was subtly expressing some form of criticism towards the emerging artist, who, it must be noted, has managed to ignite a cultural phenomenon with his sensational single.
@KyleCoroneos expressed their thoughts on X, previously known as Twitter. According to them, Cody Johnson’s producer Trent Willmon recently stated that Cody Johnson has been “overcoming obstacles and facing challenges for many years” after Johnson won the Album of the Year. It is believed that this statement was deliberately made to highlight Johnson’s resilience and determination.
In response to the post, a commenter expressed their disgust with Willmon’s statement, referring to it as a troubling reminder of the racism that continues to plague the world of country music.
One user shared the video, expressing their concern about the CMAS having a race issue. They went on to describe the association as racist and disrespectful.
The CMAs have faced backlash before when they removed Beyoncé’s surprise performance of “Daddy Lessons” from their website in 2016. Despite Beyoncé delivering the show’s highest-rated 15 minutes ever, the moment was erased from their archives.
And that’s not all. In 2024, the CMAs excluded her from the ballot box, even though she had a No. 1 country single and album. These actions have sparked strong reactions from fans and critics alike.
Shaboozey Responds to the CMAs and Cody Johnson
Shaboozey was undoubtedly overwhelmed with love after last night’s CMA show. He couldn’t contain his joy and immediately took to X to share a photo of himself, beaming with a dazzling outfit.
In the caption, he confidently declared, “Ain’t nobody kicking me!” The outpouring of support and admiration for his performance was truly heartwarming.
Shaboozey took to the internet hours later to express his further thoughts on the matter.
“I am incredibly grateful for something or someone that holds an inexplicable power, whether I win or lose,” he expressed. ”
Being here today, I hope that I am fulfilling my purpose, and if my music can bring even the slightest positive influence to someone’s life, I can pass away with contentment. Country music has transformed my life, and I will forever cherish and appreciate it.”
Shaboozey has a lot to be excited about as he recently received multiple Grammy nominations for his contributions to Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter. The 29-year-old artist is in the running for five prestigious awards, including nods for his songs “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” and “Spaghettii.”