The CMA Awards are at the center of a social media storm, facing accusations of racism and claims that Shabuzy was snubbed for failing to win any nominations despite the overwhelming success of his breakthrough hit “Bar Song (Drunk)” success.
The rising star on the country charts is in the running for New Artist of the Year and Single of the Year. Shaboozey is currently at the top of the charts for its 18th consecutive week with “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” the longest-running No. 1 single in Billboard Hot 100 history.
Still, Shabzi, who performed his breakthrough hit at the ceremony, left empty-handed, sparking outrage on social media.
Users criticized the lack of recognition from the CMA and the country music industry in general, highlighting Shaboozey’s musical contributions and efforts to immerse herself in the Nashville scene. Others noted that despite the success of Beyoncé’s record-breaking COWBOY CARTER album, the CMAs snubbed her.
“They brought Beyoncé to Nashville,” one frustrated critic wrote. “Come play with us. Make your presence felt. Shabuzer played the game. He did what was encouraged to be “popular” in country music even though he had the No. 1 record in the country, breaking record but they gave him zero awards lol.
They told Beyoncé to come to Nashville. Come and play with us. Make your presence felt. Shabuze played the game. He did what was encouraged to be “popular” in country music and even though he had a number one record in the country and broke records, they gave him zero awards. Haha https://t.co/l0bgMbOW8U
— MONIE.🌹 (@xmonielove) November 21, 2024
However, Shabuzy did get a mention on the championship podium, but that only added fuel to the fire.
Cody Johnson’s producer Trent Willmon took a swipe at the 29-year-old singer during his Album of the Year acceptance speech, even though Shaboozey is not up for the award .
“It takes a group of people to make a great record,” he told the crowd. “But I gotta tell you, this is for this cowboy who’s been kicking Shabbuz for years.”
Is everyone drunk at the #CMAawards? 🤔 How did you feel when #codyjohnson producer Trent Willmon mentioned #Shaboozey during his Album of the Year acceptance speech?
🎥:X/Jennifer Su pic.twitter.com/c9kPXum68Q
— E Dose Daily (@e_dose_daily) November 21, 2024
Shabbozey responded on X (Twitter): “No one kicked me!”
Even so, the damage was done and the backlash was strong.
One person asserted, “The CMA has a race problem,” and posted a clip of the inflammatory remarks. “The #CMAAwards are racist. Look at the rampant racism at the CMAs last night. Shaboozey deserves better and he has released the biggest country song of the year, spending 18 consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. You How can someone be so disrespectful @CountryMusic?
The CMA has a race problem. The #CMAAwards are racist. Look at the rampant racism at the CMAs last night. Shaboozey deserves better, and he’s released the biggest country song of the year, spending 18 consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. How do you let someone get away with something like this… pic.twitter.com/lu8uUaAgxC
— T̷h̷e̷ ̷M̷i̷s̷t̷r̷e̷s̷s̷ ̷O̷f̷ ̷C̷h̷a̷o̷s̷ (@M3GAN_E_KNOWLES) November 21, 2024
Another added, “The fact that Shaboozey didn’t win any country music awards despite being the #1 country song for 3 months proves they don’t want black people to be the face of country music.”
The fact that Shaboozey didn’t win any country music awards despite having three consecutive No. 1 country songs is proof that they don’t want black people to be the face of country music.
— BREEZY SUPREME (@BreezyxSupreme) November 21, 2024
Shabuzi expressed his gratitude amid the social media uproar, noting that “win or lose, I have been blessed with things or people beyond my understanding.”
Check out some other reactions to Shaboozey snubbing the 2024 CMA Awards below.
You mean to tell me that a young black man like Shabuze, who released the biggest country single of the decade, didn’t win any awards at the Country Music Awards?
Shocking! I was shocked! pic.twitter.com/92srohp4sw
— Sisa (@TheTitanBaddie) November 21, 2024
Shabuze not winning any awards is actually one of the most blatantly racist things I have ever seen in public
— 🦅 (@JayZ0verrat3d) November 22, 2024
The fact that Shaboozey didn’t win any country music awards despite having three consecutive No. 1 country songs is proof that they don’t want black people to be the face of country music.
— BREEZY SUPREME (@BreezyxSupreme) November 21, 2024
Just last week, Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song” became the most consecutive No. 1 solo song in Billboard Hot 100 history.
Despite this historic achievement, the CMA didn’t award him Single of the Year or New Artist of the Year pic.twitter.com/V60sfJ5pqK
— Cowboy Carter Update 𐚁 ⭑ (@B7Album) November 21, 2024
So they told Beyoncé that she didn’t get nominated because she didn’t go to Nashville to play the game. Shaboozey has played the game and currently has the longest chart-topping number one song, but has not won any awards. Look that’s why seeing what she did…she knew they weren’t** #CMAawards #CMA pic.twitter.com/Mo4UcE74sK
— Dean (@thedeans_list) November 21, 2024
That’s why all the comments made by dolly, tierra, etc. don’t mean s###. Shaboozey played their little game, went to Nashville, sang the biggest hit of the year, and they still play him. It has nothing to do with how obedient you are to them, at the end of the day you are black. https://t.co/YghdYLubG2
— Homasexah (@StopLaughinHoe) November 21, 2024
