Shaboozey’s Viral Moment at the 2025 AMAs: Shining a Light on Black Contributions to Country Music

At the 2025 American Music Awards (AMAs) held on May 26 at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas, a seemingly routine moment during the presentation of the Favorite Country Duo or Group award turned into a viral flashpoint, igniting a much-needed conversation about the true origins of country music. Country artist Shaboozey, born Collins Obinna Chibueze, shared the stage with fellow rising star Megan Moroney to present the award, which was ultimately won by Dan + Shay. As the duo read from the teleprompter, Moroney delivered a line that described the Carter Family as the ones who “basically invented country music.” Shaboozey’s immediate reaction—a subtle but unmistakable side-eye followed by a brief chuckle—captured the attention of viewers and sparked a broader dialogue about the erased contributions of Black musicians to the genre’s foundation. His response, both on stage and later on social media, underscored the importance of acknowledging pioneers like Lesley Riddle and DeFord Bailey, whose influence has been historically sidelined. This moment not only highlighted Shaboozey’s commitment to rewriting country music’s narrative but also served as a powerful reminder of the genre’s diverse roots.

The Viral Moment and Its Context

The AMAs incident unfolded as Shaboozey and Moroney took the stage to honor the legacy of country music at the awards show. Shaboozey, a Nigerian-American artist who has risen to prominence with his record-breaking hit “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” began by noting the significance of country music in AMA history, referencing the 1974 inaugural awards where Charley Pride, a trailblazing Black country artist, won Favorite Male Country Artist. Moroney followed, stating, “That same year, Favorite Female Artist went to Lynn Anderson, and this award [Favorite Country Duo or Group] went to the Carter Family, who basically invented country music.” The cameras caught Shaboozey’s visible skepticism, a moment that quickly went viral across platforms like X and TikTok. His side-eye and laugh spoke volumes, signaling discomfort with the oversimplified narrative that credited the Carter Family alone with the genre’s creation.

The Carter Family—A.P. Carter, Sara Dougherty Carter, and Maybelle Addington Carter—are undeniably pivotal figures in country music. Often referred to as the “First Family of Country Music,” they helped popularize harmony singing and standards like “Wildwood Flower” and “Can the Circle Be Unbroken” through their recordings in the 1920s and 1930s. However, the claim that they “invented” country music ignores the complex, multicultural roots of the genre, particularly the contributions of Black musicians who shaped its sound and style. Shaboozey’s reaction was not directed at Moroney personally—both artists were reading from a scripted teleprompter—but rather at the broader narrative perpetuated by the AMAs’ scriptwriters, which erased the significant influence of Black artists like Lesley Riddle and DeFord Bailey.

Shaboozey’s Response and Defense of Moroney

Following the viral moment, Shaboozey took to social media to clarify his reaction and provide context for his skepticism. In a since-deleted post on X, he urged fans to “Google: Lesley Riddle, Steve Tarter, Harry Gay, DeFord Bailey, and The Carter Family,” highlighting Black musicians who played critical roles in shaping country music’s early sound. In a follow-up post, he wrote, “When you uncover the true history of country music, you find a story so powerful that it cannot be erased… The real history of country music is about people coming together despite their differences, and embracing and celebrating the things that make us alike.” These statements emphasized his belief in a more inclusive narrative for the genre, one that acknowledges its diverse influences and challenges the whitewashed history often presented by the industry.

Recognizing that some fans misinterpreted his side-eye as shade toward Moroney, Shaboozey quickly moved to defend his co-presenter. In a comment on Moroney’s Instagram post from the event, he wrote, “Just want to clear something up: my reaction at the AMAs had nothing to do with Megan Moroney! She’s an incredibly talented, hard-working artist who’s doing amazing things for country music and I’ve got nothing but respect for her. I’ve seen some hateful comments directed at her today, and that’s not what this moment was about. Let’s not twist the message—she is amazing and someone who represents the country community in the highest light!” This clarification underscored Shaboozey’s intent to focus on the historical oversight rather than personal conflict, while also highlighting his commitment to fostering unity within the country music community.

The Overlooked Contributions of Black Pioneers

Shaboozey’s call to recognize figures like Lesley Riddle and DeFord Bailey brought renewed attention to the often-ignored Black contributions to country music. Lesley Riddle, a Black guitarist and singer from Tennessee, played a crucial role in the Carter Family’s development. In the late 1920s and 1930s, Riddle accompanied A.P. Carter on song-collecting trips through Appalachia, serving as what he described to the Birthplace of Country Music Museum as A.P.’s “tape recorder.” Riddle’s ability to memorize lyrics and melodies from Black communities allowed the Carter Family to incorporate songs like “The Cannonball,” “Let the Church Roll On,” and “Coal Miner’s Blues” into their repertoire. Additionally, Riddle taught Maybelle Carter his distinctive finger-picking technique, which became the foundation of her iconic “Carter Scratch” guitar style, a hallmark of the Carter Family’s sound.

DeFord Bailey, another pioneer highlighted by Shaboozey, was a Black harmonica player who became the first performer at the Grand Ole Opry in 1927. Known as the “Harmonica Wizard,” Bailey’s performances of songs like “Fox Chase” and “Pan American Blues” captivated audiences and helped establish Nashville as a hub for country music. Despite his groundbreaking contributions, Bailey faced significant barriers due to racial discrimination. He was fired from the Opry in 1941, allegedly over publishing disputes, and spent much of his later life running a shoe-shining business in Nashville. His legacy was not widely acknowledged until decades later, underscoring the systemic erasure of Black artists in the genre.

Other Black musicians, such as Steve Tarter and Harry Gay, also influenced early country music, though their stories are less documented. The banjo, a central instrument in country music, has African origins, brought to the Americas by enslaved people. Additionally, artists like Rufus “Tee Tot” Payne, who mentored Hank Williams, and Gus Cannon, who influenced Johnny Cash, played critical roles in shaping the genre’s sound. These contributions, however, were often marginalized by the music industry’s commercial decisions, which categorized Black artists’ work as “race records” to segregate them from white artists performing similar music.

The Broader Context of Black Erasure in Country Music

Shaboozey’s AMAs moment is part of a larger reckoning within country music, as artists, historians, and critics work to highlight the genre’s Black roots. Musician Rissi Palmer, one of the foremost Black women in country music, echoed Shaboozey’s sentiments in an Instagram post, writing, “Tell me you know nothing about the actual roots of Country music without telling me you don’t know the roots… like, who wrote this script? What in the Project 2025 hell is this? … Behind every founding father and mother of Country music stands a Black musician playing Black roots music, strategically hidden in the mix.” Palmer’s frustration reflects a growing awareness of how Nashville’s commercial industry has historically gatekept Black artists, limiting their visibility and recognition.

Dom Flemons, a revered musician and historian, also weighed in, encouraging fans to explore a video he created with Black in Appalachia about Riddle’s contributions. While acknowledging the Carter Family’s role in establishing country music as a commercial genre alongside producer Ralph Peer, Flemons emphasized that Riddle’s influence was integral to their success. “Lesley Riddle was never an established artist, which is why he fell to the wayside in the early years,” Flemons noted, highlighting the structural barriers that prevented Black musicians from achieving mainstream recognition.

The 2025 AMAs incident also resonates with recent efforts by artists like Beyoncé, whose Grammy-winning album Cowboy Carter celebrated Black contributions to country music. Beyoncé dedicated her Album of the Year Grammy to Linda Martell, the first Black woman to perform at the Grand Ole Opry, and featured Shaboozey on the album. Her work has sparked conversations about the genre’s inclusivity, particularly after she faced resistance from some country music institutions. Shaboozey’s collaboration with Beyoncé and his own success, including topping Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart, mark a historic moment for Black artists in the genre, yet his experiences at events like the 2024 CMA Awards—where he faced microaggressions disguised as humor—underscore the ongoing challenges.

The Significance of Shaboozey’s Stand

Shaboozey’s reaction at the AMAs was more than a meme-worthy moment; it was a bold statement against the erasure of Black contributions to country music. By highlighting pioneers like Riddle and Bailey, he challenged the industry’s whitewashed narrative and called for a more inclusive understanding of the genre’s history. His response also reflected a personal evolution. Earlier in his career, Shaboozey had been criticized for seemingly adhering to Nashville’s assimilationist expectations, as noted by columnist Andrea Williams in The Tennessean. However, his AMAs moment and subsequent comments suggest a growing willingness to confront these issues head-on, aligning himself with other Black artists like Willie Jones and The War and Treaty, who have also called out the genre’s racial barriers.

The broader impact of Shaboozey’s stand lies in its potential to educate audiences and inspire change within the industry. As he noted on X, “The real history of country music is about people coming together despite their differences, and embracing and celebrating the things that make us alike.” This message resonates with the genre’s roots, which were shaped by a blend of African, European, and Indigenous musical traditions. By amplifying the stories of Black pioneers, Shaboozey is helping to rewrite country music’s narrative, ensuring that figures like Lesley Riddle and DeFord Bailey are no longer relegated to the margins.

Conclusion

Shaboozey’s viral side-eye at the 2025 American Music Awards was a pivotal moment in the ongoing effort to recognize Black contributions to country music. His reaction to the claim that the Carter Family “basically invented” the genre sparked a necessary conversation about the genre’s diverse origins, bringing attention to pioneers like Lesley Riddle, DeFord Bailey, and others whose influence has been historically overlooked. By using his platform to educate fans and defend his co-presenter Megan Moroney, Shaboozey demonstrated both a commitment to truth and a desire for unity within the country music community. As the genre continues to evolve, moments like this serve as a reminder that country music’s story is one of shared heritage, resilience, and creativity—a story that cannot be erased.