Shaboozey speaks on Black history and his Nigerian roots after receiving backlash for his Grammy acceptance speech.
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Country breakout star Shaboozey finds himself at the center of a social media firestorm following his acceptance speech at the 2026 Grammy Awards. While celebrating a major career milestone, the artist’s comments regarding the foundations of the United States have sparked a heated debate over historical representation.
Shaboozey took the stage after winning Best Country Duo/Group Performance alongside collaborator Jelly Roll for their hit song, “Amen.” During his emotional speech, Shaboozey dedicated the honor to the immigrant community, stating emphatically, “Immigrants built this country.”
While intended as a tribute to the immigrant experience, the comment drew criticism for marginalizing other groups. Critics argued it overlooked the role of enslaved Black Americans and Indigenous peoples in building the nation.
Advocates for a more inclusive historical narrative argue that attributing the building of the country solely to immigrants ignores the centuries of forced labor by enslaved people and the prior existence and contributions of Indigenous nations.
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Supporters of the artist suggest his comments were likely meant to be inclusive of his own heritage and the general spirit of the American Dream, rather than an intentional erasure of Black and Indigenous history.
In response to the viral debate over his 2026 Grammy Awards acceptance speech, Shaboozey shared a heartfelt open letter on X (formerly Twitter) to clarify his intentions.
Shaboozey addressed the backlash head-on, acknowledging that his original comment—”Immigrants built this country”—was never meant to diminish the foundational role of enslaved Black Americans.
He stated unequivocally, “I know and believe that we—Black people, have also built this country,” and noted the significance of his win occurring on the first day of Black History Month.
