Shaboozey is King

Billboard released its chart results yesterday and topping the Billboard Hot 100 and the Hot Country Song chart is Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)”. 

This is history as he becomes the first Black male artist to simultaneously reach #1 on both charts. And of course it’s been record after record for Shaboozey as he previously succeeded Beyoncé on the Hot Country Song chart at #1 after “Texas Hold ‘Em” marking the first time two Black artists have gone back-to-back. 

As we’ve been saying ever since Beyoncé released COWBOY CARTER, a rising tide lifts all ships. This was always the Queen’s purpose – to reclaim the space, to open up more space, to amplify the music of artists who may not otherwise have had a platform. Shaboozey is featured on two tracks on her album and from there, the Beyoncé effect was put in motion. She is a kingmaker!

And for Shaboozey, this was all by design too. As he told Billboard back in May, “We were pretty prepared for this moment”. COWBOY CARTER came out before “A Bar Song” and he capitalised on the timing: 

Even though his Bey-assisted breakout was unveiled first, Shaboozey suspects his solo track was the reason he was featured on Cowboy Carter at all. “Someone at Parkwood or in Beyoncé’s camp heard [“A Bar Song”] from me playing it live and was like, ‘We have to bring him in the studio,’” Shaboozey recalls. “Then the Beyoncé [album] came out, and we were like, ‘Oh, it’s time. Drop it.’”

So it’s literally Beyoncé opening the door, and Shaboozey kicking it wide open. And by the way, according to Shaboozey, J-Kwon is “more excited” about the success of “A Bar Song” than almost anyone else. And maybe definitely more than the country music establishment? 

CMA first round voting began yesterday and this is an especially intriguing year because of Beyoncé, as people are paying closer attention than usual to see if COWBOY CARTER will be a factor. The CMAs is where Beyoncé was disrespected back in 2016 when she performed with The Chicks. She has already told us that was one of her motivations behind this album. So it’ll be really interesting to see what happens here – whether she’s nominated and whether she actually shows up. 

As for Shaboozey, with “A Bar Song” as big as it is, how can the CMAs ignore him? This happened with Lil Nas X and “Old Town Road” a few years ago. They tried to gatekeep but the song was so massive they couldn’t keep him and he showed up at the CMAs and collected his award. Will it be the same with the Queen and the King she made? 

“Everybody at the bar getting tipsy!”