BET Awards 2024: Who is Shaboozey? Meet the Genre-Bending Singer Performing at This Year’s Ceremony
Nigerian-American multi-hyphenate Shaboozey is taking the music scene by storm.
Since garnering attention with collaborations such as “Start a Riot” with Duckworth from the soundtrack to Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, the 29-year-old has released two complete studio projects acclaimed for their innovative sound and production, seamlessly blending hip-hop, country, and rock sounds.
His journey from local performances to national recognition has been nothing short of inspiring and has prepared him to make his debut performance at the BET Awards 2024.
Culture’s biggest party airs Sunday, June 30th at 8 PM, but not before the return of the BET Experience, Presented by Walmart. Starting June 26th, the week-long event will include star-studded performances, workshops, celebrity sightings, and much more. For BET Experience, Presented by Walmart tickets, click here.
His stage name was given to him
Speaking with New Wave Magazine, the singer revealed that he got his moniker while still in high school, noting that it was a play on his last name, Chibueze, being mispronounced. The last name means “God is king" in Igbo.
“It’s something everyone around town called me,” he told the outlet, adding, “It kind of just stuck, so I picked it and kept it pushing.
He speaks highly of his hometown of Virginia
Shaboozey was born in northern Virginia to Nigerian parents and grew up in Woodbridge, Virginia. He attributes his hometown as a significant influence on his musical path, sharing with ColorsxStudios, “In Virginia, I always felt that I could do whatever I wanted and people would accept me.” He further explained, “I knew I would never be forced into a box because Virginia is so eclectic.”
He’s multi-hyphenated
Aside from being a musician, singer-songwriter, and instrumentalist, Shaboozey is also a producer and filmmaker. He directed the music videos for his records, “Rodeo World Champion,” “Tall Boy,” and “Beverly Hills” from his 2022 sophomore album Cowboys Live Forever, Outlaws Never Die.
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The rising star started his own production company
In 2014, the “Spaghettii” singer founded his production company, V Picture Films. Its name is an ode to a collective he was once a part of called Five Sense Records. The singer said he changed the five into the Roman numeral ‘V’ to get V Picture Films.
The rising star’s goal is to build his company and someday have a film studio in Virginia where mid-Atlantic artists can collaborate.
He’s also highly into fashion
Shaboozey's style, much like his music, is deeply influenced by country Western culture.
“As an artist, fashion is a big part of the world I’m building, so I’m very particular in the pieces I wear. I believe that with being an artist, everything should feel connected, from the music to the visuals, in order to submerge fans into your space,” he shared in an earlier interview. He added, “I think fashion plays a huge role in having fans be immersed in your world. Not to mention, who doesn’t like to look fly?”
Tune in to the BET Awards 2024 on Sunday, June 30 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on BET.
