MC’s MUSIC LOUNGE: Shaboozey’s Concept

Shaboozey’s latest album The Outlaw Cherie Lee & Other Western Tales is a concept record about a character in the Wild Wild West, and it’s one of the richest country albums this year. Cherie Lee watched her father, a sheriff, get gunned down, and sets on a path for revenge. Oh, and of course there’s a love story in there between Cherie and one of the killers. It’s drama, it’s cinema, in a perfect musical package. Each song on the record represents another chapter on Cherie’s journey, a modern day Western in audio form, complete with interludes performed by Jamie Foxx – as well as features from Gunna, Leon Bridges, Teyana Taylor, Kehlani, Sam Elliott and Orville Peck. Shaboozey merges country with hip-hop and R&B, making this album engaging in both story and genre.

The greatest takeaway after listening to Shaboozey’s album is just how daring it is. Most artists would aim at a similar formula to their breakout album, especially for its follow-up. But in his case, he decided to take this next project as an opportunity to flex his creativity, to truly embrace his artistry. Along with the release of the album, he also launched an accompanying comic book titled The Outlaw Cherie Lee. He made his Comic-Con debut in San Diego where he sat for a live podcast panel and signed Funko Pops for fans. Side bar: I need to get my hands on one of his Funkos for my collection. His comic book only expands the story that the album is telling. Think Madonna’s Sex book, except without the sex, and for comic stans. Plus, I love a Western revenge pseudo-love story. When an artist is able to create a world of escapism associated with their new releases, it amplifies the entire experience for the fans. Is a full-length feature film next up for the character of Cherie Lee? Shaboozey sure seems to hope so, and I second him on that. In a streaming society where music has become like fast food sometimes, I will always encourage music as a form of storytelling rather than background noise.

This album era has already been receiving some serious kudos. “High Noon”, his track with Gunna, has been chosen as ESPN’s 2026-27 college football season anthem. Shaboozey also just performed “Cowgirl” with Ciara Miller as Cherie Lee on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Maybe he learned this from the Beyoncé school of performance, but seeing him bring his creative visions to life both visually and sonically have made him one of my favourite artists this year. Maybe I am able to get down with country on occasion? Are cowboy boots next for me?

Next week, we have a new album by KAROL G. She announced the project during her show at Rogers Stadium in Toronto last week. We also can expect the long-awaited collaboration between Madonna and Kylie Minogue. Gay gasp. This week, along with Shaboozey, we have new tunes from Cardi B, Davido with Aya Nakamura, Slayyter and Rachel Chinouriri. Plus, a viral trend that has brought an unknown artist from 1000 monthly Spotify listeners to over 7 million.

Listen on…

MC’s PICKS OF THE WEEK

“Burn it Down” by Shaboozey, Leon Bridges

The entire album is an enjoyable listen, but this song is the one that has me on repeat. He did one hell of a job performing it during his Tiny Desk concert, and it translates just as well in recorded form. Leon Bridges has that old-school bluesy sound that complements Shaboozey’s deep vocal timbre in a magical way. The song is traditionally country in instrumentals and sonic melodic choices, however the way that Shaboozey delivers his lines are unique and make the song more appealing to music listeners like myself who don’t usually take to the genre. The chorus has such an infectious bass line and melody, you will be left singing it for days. The entire Cherie Lee project has that same note: strong melodies with deep and delicious vocals. The verses are like the recounting of a story, a story about a love so confusing that it consumes you. Leon Bridges adds a smooth vibe to the song’s country roots and it feels like the days of 90s country where the songs were automatic pop crossovers. That seems to be growing trend because it was just this week where all the top five songs on the Billboard Hot 100 are country songs for the first time ever.

“AH HA” by Cardi B

What was originally just a snippet on an IG post has now resulted in the first new Cardi B music of 2026. Cardi is so herself in the high-tempo track with her unmistakable flow and even a diss to Trump sprinkled in the lyrics for good measure. She’s also taking aim at her haters, something that she does very well. You can always count on Cardi to supply us with some serious bangers, something fun and catchy. It’s fun and makes you want to sing along with your tongue sticking out. Cardi is living the single life and she’s made a joint for the clubs. This is the song you want to have playing while you’re getting ready for a night out where you’re the baddest bitch in the room. Cardi is letting everyone know that she’s getting her money and staying blessed regardless of whatever they try to throw her way. As a first single since her last album Am I The Drama? it serves as a perfect transition out of that album campaign and into what the next phase of Cardi’s career looks like.

 

“Yaya” by Davido, Aya Nakamura

The track list to Davido’s newest album Oriadé is stacked with talent for days. He’s got songs with Black Sherif, JAXXWRLD, NO11, Mayorkun, Leon Thomas, Llona and Aya Nakamura. The track with Aya is a standout, it blends Aya’s brand of French pop music with Davido’s afrobeat vibe. The song features three separate languages: Igbo, English, and French. It’s the most diverse song on his entire album, and showcases a multitude of cultures and it would work really well as a TikTok challenge a la “Raindance” by Wizkid and Tems. When it goes viral you can remember that I told you all here first, LOL. Davido’s album is already making some serious noise, it’s the #2 most played album of the weekend on Spotify’s global charts, expanding his momentum on a worldwide scale. Basically, the song is a banger and the entire album is resonating hard with music listeners. If you want to catch a vibe, this is the perfect album to throw on. It’s giving summer day party with your friends and a bottle of henny.

“brand new chanel$” by Slayyyter

I wrote about Slayyyter’s viral success with “DANCE…” a few months ago, and ever since, she has been capitalizing off that momentum with a deluxe version of her new album, and now this week a new nasty pop girl jam that we can all add to our slutty workout playlists. It also feels like she’s reaching new heights in her pop potential, a moment that her fans have always thought was possible. The music video delivers some quality c-nty Gaga inspired looks. She’s singing about a cheating boyfriend who left her for someone wearing Chanel shoes. She gets graphic, detailing the clothes in the closet in her apartment and the hidden photos of her and her man. Is it a true story, or is she singing about a character? The way she’s selling the lyric, you couldn’t tell me that it wasn’t her own experience. It’s the lead single to her upcoming album wor$t man in America, the sequel album to her most recent album WOR$T GIRL IN AMERICA. Could this be another Sabrina Carpenter situation where an artist pops off a few albums into their career? It would make for an interesting plot twist in the greater pop conversation of 2026.

“One song away from crying” by Rachel Chinouriri

Rachel has created a bop with beautiful synths and equally beautiful vocals to match. It’s giving song of the summer if this was performed by a bigger artist, but instead it gets to live in this marvellous underground pop world in which Rachel thrives. This is certainly more upbeat and bubblegum pop coded than her previous works, but it sounds so great on her. I love the sparkle in the video and the overall 80s sound/aesthetic that oozes from the track. I’m noticing this sound on a lot of pop gems, and it makes my soul smile. I love a vibe don’t get me wrong, but these days I’m looking for bops. The lyrics are the classic dance your troubles away message, and if you are going to cry then you better be doing it as you dance. Think “Dancing On my Own” by Robyn or even “Dancing Alone” by Ashlee Simpson (if you know, you know). It’ll be a staple on the gay club scene over the next couple of months, and is an excellent lead single for this new era of Rachel’s career with the potential to become her first true mainstream radio pop hit.

MC’s VIRAL PICK

“FREAKED OUT” by Fat Papi, prodshushy

This week’s viral pick comes courtesy of a new artist who only a few months ago had barely a thousand monthly listeners on Spotify. Then a content creator decided to use one of his songs as the soundtrack to her showcasing her new bob haircut – and like these things usually do, the song popped the f-ck off. The trend features people showing off some type of bob hairdo, whether it be a wig or a real cut. The more comical, the more viral. The videos are funny enough, but the true story here is what it has done for Fat Papi. Before this trend, his music was gaining next to no traction. Just a normal guy with a dream who put his music up on streaming services independently. He now has over seven million monthly listeners and “FREAKED OUT” has already earned 51 million streams on the platform. Combined with other streaming services and social media, the song is easily at over one hundred million impressions and continues to grow every day. At the time of writing, the song is at #3 on the viral 50 TikTok charts. This is a standard song about getting freaky with a member of the opposite sex like your local rappers do. There’s no real magic formula as to why it’s resonating with people, but it certainly is doing things for the content creator Jocelyn Meiere who originated the trend. Her image is now being used as the video canvas on streaming for “FREAKED OUT”, and she recently collaborated with Fat Papi for a TikTok. It’ll be interesting to see where this takes Fat Papi’s career and whether it will result in the birth of a true musical career or a modern day one hit wonder.

@fatpapimusic The power of the BOB got this guy have way across the world 😭 @𝐌𝐈𝐒𝐒 𝐃𝐈𝐕𝐀 𝐁𝐎𝐁 @Shushy🇸🇧🇵🇬 #synthclub #bob #kurdish #kiwi #fatpapi ♬ FREAKED OUT - Fat Papi & prodshushy

@jarredjermaine

Congrats to him 🙏🏼

♬ original sound - jarred jermaine

@jocelynmeiere Side note these lashes from @ArdellBeauty I’m actually in love they look so cool - I don’t have the original box and I’m so angry with myself because I want to get more but I DONT EVEN KNOW WHAT THEY ARE CALLED #lashes #lashextensions ♬ FREAKED OUT - Fat Papi & prodshushy

The 2026 “MC’s MUSIC LOUNGE” Spotify playlist is live. You can add it here to keep up to date with my weekly picks throughout the year. 

With Love, 

MC