By Ayomide Otitoju
Nigerian-American singer Collins Obinna Chibueze, professionally known as Shaboozey, won his first Grammy Award at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, February 1, 2026, at Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena.
Shaboozey took home the Best Country Duo/Group Performance award for Amen, his gospel-inspired country collaboration with Jelly Roll. The track, featured on Jelly Roll’s album, blends contemporary country production with themes of faith, redemption, and gratitude.
The win marks a major milestone for the Woodbridge, Virginia-born artist of Igbo-Nigerian descent, whose music fuses hip-hop, R&B, and country. It also represents Jelly Roll’s first Grammy, highlighting the increasing acceptance of genre-blending artists in country music.
Shaboozey received the award during the Grammy Premiere Ceremony, arriving moments before the category was announced. Overwhelmed, he fought back tears as he took the stage and delivered one of the night’s most emotional acceptance speeches.
After thanking God, he dedicated the award to his mother, “an immigrant who retired from her nursing career that very day after more than 30 years of working multiple jobs to support her family.” He expanded the tribute to all immigrants in the United States, saying, “This is for all children of immigrants… Immigrants built this country, literally.”
The speech received widespread praise online, with many calling it one of the ceremony’s most moving moments. Backstage, Shaboozey credited his management teams at American Dogwood and EMPIRE for their support, describing the win as “surreal.”
The full Grammy Awards ceremony was broadcast on CBS and streamed on Paramount.
