Shaboozey isn’t quite sure if there’s a specific moment when he knew his dreams became a reality.
In the past few months alone, the country artist, 30, has performed at the Grammys, walked the red carpet at the Met Gala and collaborated on a huge hit with Jelly Roll.
“With the space I’m occupying and the story and everything I’ve been doing, it feels like everything hasn’t really been done before,” he exclusively shared in Us Weekly’s Country Stars Celebrate America issue.
After growing up in Woodbridge, Virgina, Shaboozey (real name Collins Chibueze) has earned his spot in the music industry thanks to his determination, work ethic and “A Bar Song (Tipsy).” Now, he’s ready to celebrate a country that continues to provide him with countless gifts.
Shaboozey Shares What It’s Really Like Working With Jelly Roll
“If you work hard and never give up and put in the sweat equity, you can really make something of yourself,” he told Us before hitting the road on “The Great American Road Show” with Coors Light. “You can make history. I think that’s what the American dream is about. It’s about striving and resilience and making the world a better place for the next person.”
The Great Outdoors
After shooting a music video in Montana, Shaboozey fell in love with the state’s landscape and greenery. “I got a thing for mountains,” he told Us. “By the end of the trip, I didn’t want to leave, and ever since then, I’ve been talking about how I want to move to Montana.”
Passion for Fashion
When it’s time to walk the red carpet, Shaboozey isn’t afraid to express himself through his sartorial choices. One of his favorite looks came from working with stylist Anastasia Walker for the Met Gala.
“With the theme being fine tailoring, it made sense to do something that was a little bit out of my comfort zone, but at the end of the day, I think a lot of people loved it,” he told Us of the turquoise beaded look, complete with matching grillz. “It kind of pushed the narrative, and then pushed a little bit more about just diversity and being OK and comfortable with being yourself.”
Food Frenzy
While his career may take him all over the world, Shaboozey says there’s plenty of grub to feast on in the good ol’ U.S. of A. “Anytime I travel east, I love Kansas City for barbecue,” he says. “Terry Black’s in Austin has great barbecue. Nashville’s got great food too. I go to Dino’s quite a bit, which is like a hole-in-the-wall hot chicken spot that’s really sick out there. There’s so much good food.”
All Are Welcome
Shaboozey believes everyone has an opportunity in the arts. Early in his career, he remembered a Nashville friend telling him, “You can write a song as long as you have a story to tell.” The words made Shaboozey realize he had a home in the country music genre. “Everyone’s got a story, and everyone has a voice,” he adds. “So as long as you have those two things, you’re a country artist. You can make country songs.”
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Faith Over Fear
Growing up in Virginia, the Grammy-nominated artist remembers going to church and religion being a big part of his family’s life. His faith remains important to him and that shows through the music and lyrics he creates. “People always ask me, ‘How’d you get to this point’ or ‘How’d you get here?’” he recalled. “Sometimes I’m like, ‘Yeah, I don’t know, kind of impossible, but anything’s possible with God.’”
For more on Shaboozey, pick up the latest issue of Us Weekly — on newsstands now.
