Shaboozey Goes Viral After Eye Roll at 2025 AMAs
It didn’t take long for social media to light up after country-rap artist Shaboozey went viral at the 2025 American Music Awards. While presenting the award for Favorite Country Duo or Group alongside Megan Moroney, a moment of subtle but loud expression caught the internet’s attention.
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During their stage moment, Megan Moroney gave a brief nod to country music’s roots, highlighting past AMA winners like Charley Pride and Lynn Anderson. But it was her line — “This award went to The Carter Family, who basically invented country music” — that stirred the pot. As she delivered the statement with excitement, Shaboozey took a slight pause, rolled his eyes, and continued with the nominees. The crowd might’ve missed it live, but the internet did not.
Shaboozey Calls Out Whitewashed Country Music History
After the show, Shaboozey didn’t hold back. He hopped on X (formerly Twitter) to give fans and critics alike a history lesson. His first post read:
“Google: Lesley Riddle, Steve Tartar, Harry Gay, Defoe Bailey and The Carter Family.”
In one tweet, the Sweet Honey Buckin’ artist challenged viewers to dig deeper into the often-overlooked Black pioneers of country music. These names weren’t just thrown out for clout — they’re part of the real DNA of the genre. Lesley Riddle, for example, was a Black musician who directly influenced The Carter Family’s music by teaching them songs and playing styles they later popularized.
Shaboozey then followed up with a powerful message:
“When you uncover the true history of country music, you find a story so powerful that it cannot be erased.”
The message was clear — country music’s story is richer, deeper, and more inclusive than the mainstream narrative suggests. And Black creators like Shaboozey are no longer staying silent about it.
“We All Built This”: Shaboozey Highlights Unity in Country Music
Despite the frustration in his expression and tweets, Shaboozey wrapped his statement with a message of unity. He tweeted:
“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 moment at the AMAs wasn’t about tearing anyone down — it was about lifting up the truth. It was about representation. About legacy. About not letting the contributions of Black musicians be erased for the comfort of mainstream narratives.
That eye roll? It was about respect. Not just for himself — but for every artist whose influence helped shape a genre that still struggles to acknowledge its full history.
