Shaboozey has issued a public clarification following online backlash to comments he made during his acceptance speech at the 2026 Grammy Awards. The Nigerian-American country artist addressed the response directly on February 3, sharing a detailed message across social media that reaffirmed both his Black identity and his intent to honor immigrant contributions without diminishing Black history.
The moment unfolded after Shaboozey won Best Country Duo/Group Performance for “Amen,” his collaboration with Jelly Roll, during the Grammy Premiere Ceremony on February 1. The win marked a milestone. He became the first Black man to take home the award, and the achievement arrived on the first day of Black History Month. In an emotional speech, Shaboozey thanked his mother, a Nigerian immigrant who worked multiple jobs in the medical field, before broadening his remarks to immigrants more broadly. “Immigrants built this country, literally,” he said, dedicating the award to children of immigrants and those seeking opportunity in the United States.
While the speech was met with applause inside the room, it quickly sparked debate online. Some praised the artist for highlighting immigrant stories, particularly given his personal background. Others, including voices within the Black community, criticized the statement as reductive, arguing that it overlooked the central role of enslaved Black Americans and their descendants in building the nation through forced labor. The reaction was heightened by the genre’s deep roots in Black musical traditions and the timing of the speech during Black History Month.
In response, Shaboozey released a clarification that sought to acknowledge those concerns while reaffirming his original intent. His full statement reads:
“First and foremost, I want to express my deep gratitude to everyone who has supported and celebrated my journey as an artist. I also want to acknowledge the conversation surrounding my acceptance speech.
To be clear, I know and believe that we-Black people, have also built this country. My words were never intended to dismiss that truth. I am both a Black man and the son of Nigerian immigrants and in the overwhelming moment of winning my first Grammy my focus was on honoring the sacrifices my parents made by coming to this country to give me and my siblings opportunities they never had.
At the same time, winning this award on the first day of Black History Month and becoming the first Black man to win Best Country Duo is Black history. It stands on the foundation laid by generations of Black people who fought, sacrificed, and succeeded long before me. This moment belongs to all of us.
My entire career has been rooted in lifting people up, honoring where we come from, and expanding what’s possible. I am proud to be part of this legacy, and I intend to continue doing that work for the rest of my life.”
Photo by Getty Images for the Recording Academy®
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