Shaboozey Responds to Viral 2025 AMAs Megan Moroney Side-Eye Moment with Insight on Country Music’s ‘True History’
NEED TO KNOW
- Shaboozey has responded to the viral side-eye moment from the 2025 American Music Awards
- The singer appeared skeptical when Megan Moroney read the teleprompter, saying that the Carter family “basically invented country music” before Shaboozey giggled
- Shaboozey’s X post referred to Black influence on the genre
Shaboozey is responding to that viral moment during the 2025 American Music Awards.
During the 2025 AMAs on Monday, May 26, the “Tipsy (A Bar Song)” singer and Megan Moroney took the stage at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas to announce the Favorite Country Duo or Group award winner.
“Country music has been an important part of AMA history,” Shaboozey, 30, began. “The very first year of this show, the award for Favorite Male Country Artist went to the great Charley Pride.” Pride, who died in 2020, is considered a pioneer for Black musicians in country music.
“That same year, Favorite Female Artist went to Lynn Anderson. And this award went to the Carter family, who basically invented country music,” Moroney, 27, read off the teleprompter, which prompted Shaboozey to react by side-eyeing the comment.
Check out all of PEOPLE’s full AMAs coverage here.
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He let out a brief laugh before introducing the “very impressive” nominees for the Favorite Country Duo or Group category.
The next day, Shaboozey, whose real name is Collins Obinna Chibueze, alluded to the viral moment. “When you uncover the true history of country music, you find a story so powerful that it cannot be erased…” the singer posted on X, referring to Black influence on country music.
The Carter family, made up of A. P. Carter, Sara Dougherty Carter and Maybelle Addington Carter, are considered the first family in country music, per the Country Music Hall of Fame.
They “essentially invented the kind of harmony singing used for years in the music, and popularized numerous songs that became country standards,” per the website.
Shaboozey’s comment refers to the fact that the Carter Family was influenced by Lesley Riddle, a Black guitar player who assisted A.P. in gathering “song material” almost 100 years ago. Country music is “indebted to African and African-American traditions,” per TIME.
However, “commercial decisions by white industry executives led to their exclusion from the genre for decades.”
Riddle isn’t the only Black musician who contributed to the genre. Country musician Hank Williams was mentored by Black guitar player Rufus “Tee Tot” Payne. Gus Cannon, who played banjo, trombone, fiddle, piano, guitar, and other instruments, served as a mentor for Johnny Cash.
DeFord Bailey, a Black harmonica player whose influence spread to country and blues genres, was the first artist to perform at the Grand Ole Opry, which became instrumental in setting Nashville up as a major country music hub.
Black musicians continue to be an integral part of the genre. Beyoncé’s country album COWBOY CARTER won the Album of the Year. She dedicated the win to Linda Martell, the first Black female country singer who worked with her on the record-breaking album.
“I hope we just keep pushing forward,” Beyoncé, 43, said at the time.
Source: People
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