Shaboozey has revealed Beyoncé advised him to “just be yourself” when he recorded songs for ‘Cowboy Carter’. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in his career, as ‘Cowboy Carter’ has become one of the most successful country crossover albums of the decade.
The 29-year-old singer featured on two tracks on the ‘Single Ladies’ hitmaker’s Grammy winning country album, ‘Sweet Honey Buckiin” and ‘Spaghettii’. Both songs have garnered millions of streams across various platforms since their release.
“When I was recording the songs on her album, [I was like], ‘Oh man, I can’t do these runs’ or ‘I am nowhere near the vocalist, performer or anything Beyoncé is.’ And I kind of got in my head about that,” the ‘A Bar Song (Tipsy)’ singer has admitted he was nervous going into the studio because he considers himself “nowhere near the vocalist” Beyoncé is. This vulnerability resonated with many emerging artists in the industry.
“What they told me was, ‘Hey, we brought you here for you to do you, for you to be yourself,'” he shared. The recording sessions took place at one of Los Angeles’ most prestigious studios, known for producing numerous Grammy-winning albums.
The ‘Irreplaceable’ singer encouraged Shaboozey – whose real name is Collins Chibueze – to embrace his uniqueness. His Nigerian heritage and American upbringing have significantly influenced his distinctive musical style.
“Just be yourself,” he said when asked what advice the 43-year-old megastar gave him personally. The interaction happened during one of their collaborative recording sessions, which reportedly lasted several hours.
He continued: “Just be confident in the fact that you are different, you are unique and that’s what people are going to resonate with.” This philosophy has become central to his artistic approach, influencing his subsequent performances and recordings.
‘Cowboy Carter‘ was crowned Album of the Year at last weekend’s Grammy Awards. The album has broken several streaming records and has been praised for its innovative blend of country and R&B elements.
“I just feel very full and very honored. It’s been many, many years and I just want to thank the Grammys, every songwriter, every collaborator, every producer, all the hard work,” Beyonce said, joined on stage by her 13-year-old daughter Blue Ivy Carter. The moment became one of the ceremony’s most memorable highlights.
Shaboozey earned five nominations, including Song of the Year for ‘A Bar Song (Tipsy)’, but wasn’t lucky this time. His nominations alone represent a remarkable achievement for an artist who began his career performing in local bars just a few years ago.
“I was on tour with Jelly Roll. To have two people on the same tour nominated and just share a moment like that was really awesome,” he said when asked where he was when he found out about the nods. The tour has been playing to sold-out venues across the country.
The collaboration with Beyoncé has opened numerous doors for Shaboozey, leading to increased streaming numbers and sold-out shows. Industry experts predict this partnership could mark the beginning of a new era in country music, bringing more diversity and fresh perspectives to the genre.
His journey from performing in small venues to collaborating with one of music’s biggest stars serves as an inspiration to emerging artists. The success of ‘Cowboy Carter’ has also helped shine a spotlight on the evolving landscape of country music, which is becoming increasingly inclusive and diverse.
Music critics have praised Shaboozey’s authentic approach to blending different musical styles, noting how his unique voice complements Beyoncé’s vocals on their collaborative tracks. His contributions to ‘Cowboy Carter’ have been highlighted as standout moments on an already groundbreaking album.
