Shaboozey had the Bey Hive smiling as he accepted the award for Best New Artist at the 2024 People’s Choice Country Awards (PCCA) held at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville on Thursday, September 26. The rising country star, who gained widespread recognition from his collaboration on Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter album, thanked Queen Bey as he proudly flashed his statue on stage.
Shaboozey was the first winner of the night.
Wearing an all-denim ensemble, the trailblazing artist said, “I prepared a little something. I want to read it to you guys because it comes from the bottom of my heart. First off, thank you to People’s Choice, the fans, and listeners for this award. I’m so honored and extremely humbled. I never would have thought in a million years that I’d be up here at the Grand Ole Opry accepting something like this. It’s a dream come true.”
The Nigerian-American singer-songwriter also won the New Artist Song of 2024 Award for “A Bar Song (Tipsy).”
‘You’re Amazing’: Shaboozey shouts out Beyoncé on the People’s Choice Country Awards stage.
Shaboozey’s popularity surged after his vocal appearance on Cowboy Carter. He contributed to standout tracks like “Spaghetti” and “Sweet Honey Buckiin’.” He was one of several young Black country artists featured on Beyoncé’s historic country album. (Many have credited their inclusion as a major step in diversifying the genre.)
After thanking his management, friends, and family, Shaboozey gave a special shoutout to the icon herself. “Beyoncé, you’re amazing. Yeah!“ he exclaimed, sending the crowd into cheers.
Post Malone, who sang “Levi’s Jeans“ with Bey, took home the award for Song of 2024 for “I Had Some Help.” Other album collaborators like Tanner Adell, Tiera Kennedy, Brittney Spencer, and Reyna Roberts were nominated for various awards.
Shaboozey is unapologetic about his appreciation for Beyoncé and her impact on his music.
Shaboozey continues to be unapologetic about his appreciation for Beyoncé. He recently spoke to Entertainment Tonight about his respect for the Texas star.
He told ET on the red carpet, “I feel like with awards, it’s really important that, as an artist, you know, Beyoncé puts everything she has into her music. That can be an exhausting process within itself. So, you know, if you’re doing that, you’re putting everything you’re having intentionality, and you’re connecting with people these awards don’t, you know, they’re fun, it’s fun and games you get to see your friends, and it’s cool to get that, you know, get that look. But you know, I know that that changed my life and so many different people’s lives and I think that’s super important.“
RELATED: Beyoncé Receives Zero CMA Nominations, BeyHive Reacts
Beyonce’s Cowboy Carter obviously impacted Black country music artists last night in Nashville. But, despite receiving 17 nominations, the “16 Carriages” singer did not clinch an award. Fans have taken to social media to express disappointment in the PCCA snubs and those from the Country Music Awards earlier in September.
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