Celebrity Coverage
Shaboozey: country music’s newest star
Photo source: Daniel Prakopcyk
Shaboozey is carving out his own lane. Building on the success of her appearance on two of Beyoncé’s songs, “SPAGHETTII” and “SWEET HONEY BUCKIIN’,” the Virginia native’s country song “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” became a Top 100 hit on the Billboard 100. The album combines the sounds of hip-hop, country and folk right into a sonic melting pot that could be a microcosm of Shaboozey’s sound as an entire. In the face of his newfound fame, he desires to take his music to the subsequent level while highlighting all of the black talent that the genre of country music has to supply.
Born Collins Obinna Chibueze, Shaboozey grew up immersed in an eclectic mixture of music that included every little thing from classic hip-hop and R&B to country icons corresponding to Kenny Rogers and Garth Brooks. “My sound comes from this whole melting pot,” he tells ESSENCE. “He comes from Virginia. It’s just Virginia to a T. Honestly, I just wanted to lay the groundwork for other artists in the area to not be confused about what this sound is and should be.” Although his childhood dream was to turn into a novelist, he began experimenting with making music in highschool and shortly joined a collective of local artists – and the remaining, as they are saying, was history.
Now the Nigerian-born singer, songwriter, filmmaker and music producer is preparing to release his debut country album titled The upcoming project focuses on Shaboozey’s incredibly detailed storytelling and soulful vocals. Songs like “Let it burn“, a haunting song about heartbreak”Annabelle” and most recently “Vegas” were met with each critical and industrial acclaim, which raised expectations for the star’s recent work.
“It’s some of the best music I’ve made in a long time,” Shaboozey says of the album. “I’m very excited about the collaboration I’ve had on this film; We introduce them slowly as we speak and they sound amazing. It’s cool to collaborate in this process and have access and talk to some of the people who inspired me to create this project, so I’m really grateful for that.”
With a slate of chart-topping songs, newfound fame, and infinite creativity, Shaboozey has a protracted profession ahead of him – and he desires to take the world with him.
ESSENCE: Your artistry could be very unique. Can you speak about your beginnings in music and what was the primary art form you were exposed to as a baby?
Shaboozey: I believe everyone listens to music, especially at a young age. You are exposed to every little thing, TV, radio, what your parents are playing, just different events, weddings, cooking. So I believe all of us encountered music quite early. It’s probably not the primary day we were born, but in my case, my parents immigrated here from Nigeria. I used to be born in Virginia. My dad, who also went to school in Texas, then moved to Virginia. He was also exposed to country music, in order that got thrown into the combination as well. So it’s hard to reply this query because I believe music has all the time been around me.
In your earlier profession, your sound was more influenced by trap and hip-hop. Now it is a heavier mixture of country, folk-pop and more. When did this transformation in your music occur and what inspired this transformation in your sound?
I believe obviously growing up – I used to be an enormous hip hop fan. If I turned on MTV or turned on , I might see Ja Rule, Chingy, J Kwon and others. That’s why I do know every hit from 1999 to the current – every hip-hop song. In highschool, girls loved Drake and Future, so we began desirous about it. And then I believe sooner or later when it got here to me making music, all of us rapped because that was the thing you probably did. It was sort of what was around, what my friends were playing and every little thing, and within the football locker room, what I mean? You’re not going to pretend to be Garth Brooks simply to get hot.
So I believe playing sports gave me a predisposed must go to the studio. And then I believe after I began desirous about it, I asked myself, “What will set me apart? How can I stand out?” And then I ponder, “What do I want my message to be? Where am I from?” Hip-hop is very important depending on where you come from. You have people like Goodie Mob in Atlanta, Future, etc. You have your people in New York, you have people from the West Coast and the Midwest. So I asked, ” What does this mean for Virginia? Why do I need this where I come from?”
I believe that put me on a mission to see what was around me. What are some features of Virginia which might be unique to this region that usually are not found elsewhere? So I began in search of outdoor things. We have Cabela’s. Many people engage in outdoor activities. We fish, we wish to go to the bay, we go to the paths, to the Shenandoah Valley. We even have the Richmond International Raceway and NASCAR. We got some of these things too. And then there’s also Pharrell, there’s also Missy, there’s also Timbaland, there’s also Patsy Klein, the old country singer. Beyonce put her personal songs on “Sweet Honey Buckin.”
You mentioned Beyoncé in your previous answer. I desired to ask you ways you two got together and what was your experience, recording process like while you made music together with her?
Yeah, after I got here into this place, there wasn’t a number of representation there. Of course you might have Darius Rucker, Jimmy Allen, Mickey Guyton and Charlie Pride, all those people. But it isn’t lots should you compare the variety of hip-hop artists, R&B artists. You go to country music, there’s about 4 or five. As for the brand new ones, again there usually are not lots of them. So I believe after I set out on this journey, I didn’t realize how difficult it might be to realize acceptance there, not only from white people, but in addition from black people and the industry as an entire.
When I did that, I saw it as a chance because people see that you simply are following your path. So I believe when Beyonce decided to take a risk and express that a part of her artistry, it made sense. When you concentrate on this music, genre and magnificence, my name comes up very often. So truthfully, I believe it made sense. Many fans have requested this. Many of her fans asked within the comments, “Oh, are you recording a country album? If you aren’t getting Shaboozey, this will likely be an issue. So the universe, man, a number of people put their energy into wanting this to occur and manifest – I believe it has come true.
You had a successful profession before, but I do know you are getting more attention now, you are energetic . How has your life and profession modified because you appeared on the album?
Oh yes. He is certainly one of the best artists of all time, an all-time artist. Because I’m black, lots of my relations, especially the ladies in my life, are die-hard fans. She’s having a tough time. So to see your cousin, brother or member of the family on something like this can be a crazy move for me. But it has definitely modified. It had some of the famous projects and implementations of the yr. She was making history. We made history or are making history. And that is a blessing, man. My life has definitely modified, as you’ll expect. People are taking pictures and lots of eyes are on me, many ears are on me, individuals are what I say. If I say I ate turkey bacon this morning, it’d make the news. This is cool. It’s great to have such an enormous platform now, to give you the option to confer with more people and spread my message.
How do you’re feeling in regards to the recent popularity of black artists within the country genre straight away?
I believe this has already been done, but I still think there continues to be lots to do. We are still in its early stages. I still think individuals are listening and tuning in, but I still think there’s a number of work to be done. Even when all is alleged and done, I still don’t think there are that lots of us. There are other artists who have not even been tested, like Buffalo Kin, a black country artist who sings more traditional, classic bluegrass Americana music. Kashus Culpepper, War and Treaty, all these people who find themselves still making music that I actually like, bluegrass Americana. So I need to see more people talking about these guys and what they do, because they’re amazing voices that I believe are still misaligned.
Celebrity Coverage
ICYMI: Tessa Thompson’s Mocha Lip, Danielle Brooks’ Updo and More – Essence
With just a number of weeks left until the tip of 2024, the celebrities are setting the tone for the brand new 12 months this week. And although mocha mousse is predicted to be fashionable in 2025, neutral shades in darker tones have gotten more and more popular. Paired with an array of beauty eras – from elegant Nineteen Twenties updos to 2000s-style round pink, the brand new Hollywood showcases its best 12 months-end beauty moments.
Tessa Thompson and Issa Rae are the newest to debut mocha lips holiday shade near the season, and Coco Jones’ lipstick was cranberry red. Doechii’s perforated suggestions and signature face-lift tape made it probably the most avant-garde look of the week, and within the sweetest moment, Chloe and Halle Bailey’s round pink cheeks made pink cheeks a winter styling staple.
From makeup to hairstyles, Sabrina Elba and Alva Claire opted for light, coffee colours, and Jourdan Dunn’s short hairstyle proved relevant at any time of the 12 months. Meanwhile, Lupita N’yongo, Danielle Brooks and Venus Williams’ braided buns showed just how classic this style may be.
In case you missed it, take a have a look at 17 of the perfect celebrity beauty moments from the week below.
Celebrity Coverage
Black artists shine with 2024 Christmas albums – Essence
This holiday season, a few of the most talented Black music artists are reimagining the sounds of Christmas. From the soulful sounds of gospel legends to the contemporary kind of rising stars, these albums offer something for everybody who wants so as to add splendor to their celebrations. Whether it’s fresh takes on timeless classics, moving original songs, or reissues of beloved favorites, these projects bring joy, warmth and a way of community to everyone.
Jennifer Hudson makes her holiday debut with a track that mixes powerful vocals and heartfelt melodies. CeCe Winans brings a spiritual touch and Coco Jones adds her unique talent. Celebrating her thirtieth anniversary, Mariah Carey returns to the zeitgeist, and the reissue of Boyz II Men offers the right, cozy soundtrack.
As you decorate the halls and meet your family members, let these albums fill your space with music that uplifts, inspires and sets the right holiday mood. Here’s a more in-depth have a look at Black artists bringing joy to the world with their Christmas 2024 releases.
Celebrity Coverage
Let Anok Yai’s spiky bun inspire your holiday hair look – the essence
Images by Dave Benett/Getty
Earlier this week, Model of the Year nominee Anok Yai appeared at the Fashion Awards gala at London’s Royal Albert Hall. And regardless that the night ended there controversial joke for this yr’s award, the look of her hair stood out, as did her skilled achievements.
Paired with an archival John Galliano gown from 1994, her hairstyle was as avant-garde as the supermodels of the day – and was the most groundbreaking look of the night. On the foundation, a pixie cut with micro-mushrooms framed her sculpted features, and the sides stopped just at the tip of her eyebrows.
However, the summit took an unexpected turn. Almost like a headdress, straight, long strands gathered at the top of the head, overlapping right into a bow. The look was romantic and evoked the essence of Mugler’s Alien Hypersense, of which it’s the face. “I carry a bottle in every purse, it’s an addiction” Yai said in front of the red carpet.
The iconic outfit was repeated by Rihanna, who two days later arrived in an identical style at the thirty eighth annual Footwear Awards Gala in New York. With slight moderation – longer, blunt bangs and full updo – hairdresser Nafia Biała used an identical technique. Could this be the hottest hair trend of the season? These two icons actually suggest that.
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