Shaboozey is addressing the controversy surrounding his acceptance speech at the 2026 Grammys.
During the pre-show on Sunday (February 1), the 30-year-old country music rapper and Jelly Roll won the award for Best Country Duo/Group Performance for their collaboration “Amen.”
In his emotional acceptance speech, Shaboozey dedicated the award to immigrants, stating, “immigrants built this country.”
“So this is for them, for all children of immigrants,” he said. “This is also for those who came to this country for better opportunities … Thank you for all your stories … you’ve given America color. Thank you.”
After Shaboozey‘s speech made headlines, many took issue with his comment that “immigrants built this country.”
Keep reading to find out more…Most prominently was Martin Luther King Jr.‘s daughter Bernice King, who argued that Shaboozey‘s comments “diminished the forced contributions of slaves.”
“Are people including enslaved Africans, descendants of those enslaved, and Black people whose unjust, low-wage labor sustained the economy in the 1800s/1900s as immigrants when they say ‘immigrants built this country’?” Bernice, 62, wrote on X, without naming Shaboozey.
“[O]Our ancestors weren’t folks who came here seeking a better life,” she continued. “They arrived in chains, were bred like cattle, and severely violated, sexually and otherwise. Their trauma shouldn’t be diminished or forgotten, even in efforts toward freedom from ICE’s inhumane, violent tactics. We can only achieve justice for all when truth is taught, embraced, and spoken.”
Following the backlash, Shaboozey took to his Instagram Story to respond.
“First and foremost, I want to express my deep gratitude to everyone who has supported and celebrated my journey as an artist,” he began. “I also want to acknowledge the conversation surrounding my acceptance speech.”
“To be clear, I know and believe that we—Black people—have also built this country,” Shaboozey continued. “My words were never intended to dismiss that truth. I am both a Black man and the son of Nigerian immigrants and in the overwhelming moment of winning my first Grammy my focus was on honoring the sacrifices my parents made by coming to this country to give me and my siblings opportunities they never had.”
He added, “At the same time, winning this award on the first day of Black History Month and becoming the first Black man to win Best Country Duo is Black history. It stands on the foundation laid by generations of Black people who fought, sacrificed, and succeeded long before me. This moment belongs to all of us.”
“My entire career has been rooted in lifting people up, honoring where we come from, and expanding what’s possible,” Shaboozey concluded. “I am proud to be part of this legacy, and I intend to continue doing that work for the rest of my life.”
You can take a look at all of the winners from the 2026 Grammys here.
