Shaboozey gets honest about pivoting to predominantly White country genre

Shaboozey has opened up about entering the White-dominated genre of country music and whether he felt welcomed as a Black artist.

When asked about it, he told People, “I loved that there was so much room for some diversity in the space and to stand out. I love standing out. I love that I’m different. I think it’s my superpower. [I’m] not feeling like I’m not allowed in this space because of the way I look or the way I dress or the way I present myself.”

He noted that his success in the genre with his breakthrough hit A Bar Song may open doors for more artists.

“If anything, hopefully it opens doors for people,” he added.

Praising the Grammy-nominated singer, his collaborator Myles Smith said, “He inspires me every day with everything he’s accomplishing and the walls that he’s tearing down. The precedent that he’s setting is incredible.”

Elsewhere in the interview, the Spaghettii singer recalled how his father taught him about individual responsibility.

“[My dad] told me a story the other day about how he told his parents, ‘Hey, I’m going to make you guys proud,’ ” Shaboozey recalled. “He washed dishes and figured out any menial jobs he could to pay his way through college."

"He’s always telling me about individual responsibility. It’s on you to really make something of yourself. I definitely put a lot of those principles into my work ethic. My mom also worked pretty tirelessly. It’s very inspiring. I’m grateful for them,” he gushed.

Shaboozey shot to global fame with his 2024 hit A Bar Song, which is featured in his album, Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going.