Sophia Michaels
Shaboozey has recently gained recognition for his catchy tunes like “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” “My Fault,” and his collaboration with Beyoncé on her album “Cowboy Carter.” Curious about how he chose his stage name? Shaboozey revealed that the name originated during his high school days based on a playful twist on his last name, Chibueze. In an interview with New Wave Mag, he commented, “Everyone in my community started calling me ‘Shaboozey’ and it just stuck.”
His full name is Collins Obinna Chibueze, and the unique pronunciation of his surname often led to confusion among peers in Virginia, where he grew up. “Being Nigerian-American, my last name is actually pronounced Chibueze,” he explained during an interview with Genius. Since his friends had a tough time saying it, they settled on ‘Shaboozey,’ which he embraced. “Initially, I had my doubts but it grew on me. I really do like it,” he said, although he joked that it might have been a disadvantage for him in the long run.
With his soaring popularity, it seems that the name choice has paid off!
Insight into Shaboozey’s New Album
Shaboozey’s new album, titled “Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going,” has piqued the interest of country music enthusiasts. Just as with his name, the album’s title is often mispronounced. Recently, he addressed this confusion during an interview on Kelly Clarkson’s show. “People mix it up a lot… they say it back to me in all sorts of ways,” he noted, referring to the phrase becoming somewhat of a tongue twister.
As for the album’s creation, Shaboozey expressed his passion for concept albums, emphasizing the importance of storytelling in his music. “I love narratives and structured storytelling, similar to films,” he shared in an interview with Grammy Awards. He aims to convey a story with arcs, including character growth and resolution, ensuring a rich, immersive experience for his listeners.
It appears that he has indeed accomplished that and more!
