LOS ANGELES, United States — Country music artist Shaboozey used his first Grammy Awards acceptance speech to draw attention to the role of immigrants in American society, a message that drew widespread attention and mixed reactions following the ceremony on Sunday, February 1, 2026.
Shaboozey, whose birth name is Collins Obinna Chibueze, won Best Country Duo/Group Performance alongside Jelly Roll for their song “Amen” at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards.
The award was presented during the Grammy Premiere Ceremony at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
The victory marked a significant moment in the career of the 30-year-old musician, who has emerged in recent years as a prominent figure in contemporary country music.
Acceptance Speech and Personal Background
After receiving the award, Shaboozey thanked God, his family and his professional team before turning his remarks to immigration and opportunity in the United States.
“This is for all children of immigrants. This is also for those who came to this country in search of better opportunity, to be a part of a nation that promised freedom for all and equal opportunities for everyone willing to work for it,” he said.
“Thank you for bringing your culture, your music, your stories and your tradition here. You give America colour.”
He also told the audience, “Immigrants built this country, literally.”
A son of Nigerian immigrants, Shaboozey singled out his mother during the speech, describing her career as a registered nurse and acknowledging the sacrifices she made to support him and his siblings.
His remarks came during a ceremony in which several performers and award recipients addressed social and political themes, including immigration, reflecting broader national discussions.
Reaction on Social Media
The speech generated extensive discussion online in the hours and days following the ceremony.
Many social media users praised Shaboozey for highlighting immigrant communities and sharing his family’s story. Others criticised his language, arguing that it failed to sufficiently recognise other historical contributions to the country’s development.
Rapper Nas criticised the remarks on social media, calling them “pure evil” and referring to Shaboozey as “a guest in this country,” comments that intensified public debate around the speech.
Response to Criticism
On February 3, 2026, Shaboozey responded to the controversy in a post on Twitter, seeking to clarify his intentions.
“To be clear, I know and believe that we— Black people, have also built this country,” he wrote. He added that his remarks were meant to reflect both his background as the child of immigrants and the broader history of Black Americans in the United States.
He also noted that receiving the award as a Black artist during Black History Month held special significance for him and represented a moment of shared pride.
A letter from me 🖤 pic.twitter.com/DgcOavMHjx
— Shaboozey (@ShaboozeysJeans) February 3, 2026
Career and Industry Context
Born and raised in Virginia, Shaboozey has built his career by blending elements of hip-hop, R&B and traditional country music. His work has brought him recognition in a genre that has historically been dominated by other voices.
His Grammy win has been seen as part of a broader evolution within country music, as artists from more diverse backgrounds gain prominence and visibility.
A Widely Discussed Moment
The 2026 Grammy Awards, hosted by Trevor Noah, featured several historic milestones and politically engaged speeches. Among them, Shaboozey’s acceptance remarks became one of the most widely discussed moments of the night.
While reactions to his message remain divided, his speech and subsequent response have continued to generate conversation about identity, history and representation within American music and culture.
