Shaboozey won his first-ever Grammy Award on Sunday afternoon. The country star took home the trophy for Best Country Duo/Group Performance for “Amen,” his collaboration with Jelly Roll, during the Grammys Premiere Ceremony, which streamed online ahead of the TV broadcast.
Shaboozey, who takes his stage name from a pronunciation of his family surname Chibueze, dedicated the win to the “children of immigrants.” The “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” singer, raised in Virginia, is the son of Nigerian immigrants.
“Immigrants built this country, literally,” he said onstage. “So, this is for them, for all children of immigrants. This is also for those who came to this country in search of better opportunity to be a part of a nation that promised freedom for all and equal opportunity to everyone willing to work for it. Thank you for bringing your culture, your music, your stories, and your traditions here. You give America color.”
Shaboozey is an eight-time Grammy nominee and was nominated for Best New Artist at last year’s awards ceremony. At this year’s 68th annual Grammy Awards, he was also nominated for Best Country Song and Best Country Solo Performance, both for “Good News.” “Amen” appears on the deluxe edition of Shaboozey’s 2024 album Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going.
“I’m from a small town in Virginia,” Shaboozey told reporters backstage. “I wasn’t the most talented kid in any respect, but, I just had dreams. I was a dreamer, and I think this is just a representation of one of my dreams.” Breaking down in tears, he stepped away from the microphone to compose himself. “I just feel like all my ancestors and just everyone that’s ever believed in me [are here with me].”
Immigration is poised to be a running theme throughout the 2026 Grammys, as the awards come during the controversial deportation campaign of the Trump administration and the nationwide ICE raids, particularly in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
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During a recent appearance on Rolling Stone’s Nashville Now podcast, country singer Bryan Andrews spoke about the importance of immigrants to the fabric of the United States. “I believe in the idea that this country can be great for all people in it. Since its inception, we’ve been trying to do that, and that’s what makes us great,” Andrews said. “This country was built on immigrants.”
[Reporting by Nancy Dillon]