Nigerian-American country singer, Shaboozey, took to social media on Tuesday to address the backlash that came his way after saying that “immigrants built” America during his acceptance speech at the Grammys on Sunday.
Shaboozey, whose real name is Collins Obinna Chibueze, wrote his name in the history books on Sunday when he became the first Black man to win a Grammy for Best Country Duo for his Amen song with Jelly Roll. And though that was also the 30-year-old’s first Grammy award, his acceptance speech drew divided opinion.
“Immigrants built this country, literally,” Shaboozey partly said in his acceptance speech. “So this is for them. For all children of immigrants. This is also for those who came to this country in search of better opportunity, to be part of a nation that promised freedom for all, and equal opportunity to everyone willing to work for it. Thank you for bringing your culture, your music, your stories and your traditions here. You give America color, I love y’all so much.”
Though a section of people commended the A Bar Song (Tipsy) singer for highlighting the contributions of immigrants in America, particularly when the federal government has been profiling them in recent times, others were of the view that he relegated the plight and experiences of Native Americans and Black Americans to the background, per the Los Angeles Times.
But Shaboozey, in his post on X, made it clear that he “never intended to dismiss” the truth about Black people also building America. The singer, who was born in Virginia, said that he wanted to honor the sacrifices his parents made for him and his siblings. Shaboozey’s parents immigrated to the United States from Nigeria.
“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,” Shaboozey wrote. “To be clear, I know and believe that we-Black people, have also built this country.”
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“My words were never intended to dismiss that truth,” he added. “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.”
Shaboozey continued: “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.”
The current political climate in the United States is conspicuously tense because of President Trump’s aggressive clampdown on illegal immigration. Though a section of the president’s supporters have lauded his actions, others have registered their displeasure with the manner by which ICE agents have been enforcing his orders.
For weeks, tensions have also flared between anti-ICE protesters in Minneapolis and ICE agents after Trump deployed the federal agents to the city. The protests have spread to many other states, particularly after ICE agents fatally shot Minneapolis residents Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti.
Shaboozey added up to other artists who spoke about the current happenings in the country when they took the stage at the Grammys on Sunday. The others included Bad Bunny, Billie Eilish and Kehlani.
