Shaboozey

In the organizer's words:

US superstar and newly crowned People's Choice Award winner, SHABOOZEY, is celebrating international success and impressive milestones while bringing a breath of fresh air to the music scene. A talented singer-songwriter, director and producer, he masterfully blends elements of country and hip-hop to create a unique, genre-bending style that captures the pulse of the times. His worldwide hit single "A Bar Song (Tipsy)" not only got social media dancing and spent 14 weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100, but also caused a sensation here in Germany - reaching number 14 in the official single charts and a top 10 position in the German airplay charts. One day before his mainstage appearance at the C2C: Country to Country Festival in Berlin, SHABOOZEY will bring his energetic headlining show to Cologne and will get the Theater am Tanzbrunnen dancing and singing alongas part of his "Where I've Been, Isn't Where I'm Going" tour on 08.03.2025.

Collins Obinna Chibueze aka SHABOOZEY was born in Virginia in 1995 to Nigerian parents. Growing up in a region where cowboy hats and country music are commonplace, he was influenced by a variety of musical styles from classic hip-hop and R&B to country icons like Johnny Cash and Garth Brooks. Inspired by artists like Drake, he began his music career in the SoundCloud rap era before increasingly incorporating country influences. In 2016, he planned a country album, but it wasn't released as he believed the world wasn't ready for a black country artist. Instead, his debut album "Lady Wrangler" was released in 2018 on Republic Records. His subsequent album - 'Cowboys Live Forever, Outlaws Never Die' (2022) - eventually combined country, hip-hop and Americana.

A true crossover artist, his impressive rise finally began with two guest features ("SweetHoneyBuckiin' & 'Spaghettii") on Beyoncé's internationally acclaimed album "COWBOY CARTER", cementing his status as one of the most exciting new talents on the music scene. His hit single "A Bar Song (Tipsy)" followed shortly after, going five-times platinum, setting the record for the longest time at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 in 2024 and breaking numerous records on the Billboard Country Airplay chart. The song went on to become the summer hit of the year, breaking the 800 million stream mark on Spotify and ultimately catapulting it into mainstream heaven. The song's popularity was further boosted by remixes by renowned DJs such as David Guetta and Alesso, which also brought it to the attention of the dance and alternative music scene.

SHABOOZEY's influence extends far beyond his singles: as early as 2018, he managed to make it into cinemas with the powerful song "Start a Riot", which he created together with rapper Duckwrth. The track found its place on the soundtrack of the animated superhero film Spider-Man: A New Universe. His latest album, the critically acclaimed masterpiece "Where I've Been, Isn't Where I'm Going", also debuted in the top 5 of the Billboard 200, achieved gold status within a very short time and received recognition from the New York Times for its successful crossover between hip-hop and country. Rolling Stone also praised the album for its "appreciation of the country tradition and its further development".

SHABOOZEY is coming to Germany for his first solo show in March 2025. The concert in Cologne promises visitors an unforgettable experience that will immerse them in the fascinating world of his music.