LOS ANGELES, USA — Country musician Shaboozey has responded to online criticism over remarks he made during his acceptance speech at the Grammy Awards, after some social media users accused him of overlooking the role of Black Americans and enslaved Africans in building the United States.
The artist won his first Grammy Award on Sunday, February 1, 2026, for Best Country Duo/Group Performance for “Amen,” a collaboration with Jelly Roll.
During his acceptance speech, he spoke in support of immigrants in the United States.
“Immigrants built this country, literally,” Shaboozey said on stage. “So this is for them — for all children of immigrants. This is also for those who came to this country in search of better opportunities, 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 colour.”
Online Reaction After Ceremony
Following the broadcast, the speech prompted criticism across social media platforms, including X, TikTok and YouTube.
Some users argued that his remarks failed to acknowledge the contributions and suffering of Black Americans during slavery and its aftermath.
One YouTube commenter wrote: “African Americans are the bottom of everything. We literally died and suffered through the most violent form of slavery ever recorded to build America for free then fought for all POC to have the same rights only for our history to be forgotton (sic) and disrespected.”
The debate continued for several days, with posts and videos reflecting both support for the singer’s message and disappointment over what critics described as an omission of historical context.
Clarification on Social Media
On Tuesday, Shaboozey addressed the controversy in a post on social media, offering clarification about his intentions.
“To be clear, I know and believe that we — Black people, have also built this country,” he wrote. “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 honouring the sacrifices my parents made by coming to this country to give me and my siblings opportunities they never had.”
He said his remarks were shaped by his personal background and the emotional nature of the moment.
Significance of the Award
In his statement, Shaboozey also reflected on the historical context of his win. He noted that he was the first Black man to receive the Grammy Award for Best Country Duo/Group Performance and that the honour came on the first day of Black History Month.
He described the achievement as one that “stands on the foundation laid by generations of Black people who fought, sacrificed and succeeded long before me.”
Mixed Response From Fans
After his response, some social media users expressed appreciation for his willingness to address the criticism and clarify his position. Others maintained that discussions about immigration and national history should more fully recognise the legacy of slavery and racial inequality.
One user wrote: “I love this. Shaboozey is just keeping it real he’s proud of his roots and also celebrating his parents’ sacrifices. Big respect!”
The debate surrounding his speech has continued to generate discussion about identity, history and representation within the music industry and the wider public sphere.
