Shaboozey Responds To Backlash Over His Grammys Speech |

Shaboozey’s speech on immigrants constructing the nation failed to acknowledge the historical past of enslaved African Americans.
Shaboozey clarifies that Foundational Black Americans constructed this nation, and their sacrifice and resilience are plain.
Shaboozey’s Grammy win is a continuation of Black historical past, standing on the shoulders of those that paved the way in which.

Shaboozey has responded to followers who had been upset by the speech he gave on the 2026 Grammy Premiere Ceremony.

Source: Julian Hamilton / Getty

At this 12 months’s Grammy Awards, the breakout nation star gained the award for finest nation duo/group efficiency for his tune “Amen” with Jelly Roll. During his acceptance speech throughout Sunday’s pre-broadcast occasion, he declared that “immigrants constructed this nation,” which rubbed a few of his followers the mistaken manner.

Shaboozey paid homage to his Nigerian mother and father, who immigrated to America, the place he was born and raised in Virginia.

“Immigrants constructed this nation, actually. So that is for them,” he stated onstage as he accepted his first Grammy. “For all kids of immigrants, that is additionally for individuals who got here to this nation in quest of higher alternatives, to be a part of a nation that promised freedom for all and equal alternative to everybody keen to work for it. Thank you for bringing your tradition, your music, your tales and your traditions. You give America shade, I really like y’all a lot. Thank you.”

While his recognition of immigrants was appreciated, particularly in in the present day’s political local weather, some of us on social media identified that Shaboozey’s speech failed to acknowledge the historical past of many Black Americans whose ancestors had been enslaved and delivered to the United States towards their will, particularly throughout Black History Month.

“I perceive what Shaboozey was most likely attempting to say, however my brother in Christ — it’s Black History Month!” one X consumer wrote on Sunday. “You must phrase that correctly when you’re going to carry it up, as a result of the 400 years of constructing by African-American slaves is such a key a part of the story.”

Another fan tweeted: “Just heard Shaboozey’s speech for his Grammy. Congrats to him However, he was incorrect when he stated ‘immigrants constructed this nation, actually…’ That is unfaithful. Immigrants adopted the infrastructure that was already right here. The wealth & alternative got here off the backs of slaves.”

In response to this criticsm, Shaboozey took to X on Tuesday, Feb. 3, to put up an apology within the type of an open letter.

“I need to be clear and unequivocal: Foundational Black Americans constructed this nation. Period,” he started. “My phrases weren’t meant to erase, diminish, or overlook that fact, and I sincerely apologize for a way they got here throughout. That historical past, sacrifice, and resilience are plain, and I ought to have been extra intentional in honoring that in my second on stage.”

He went on to factors out that he’s the primary Black winner in one of the best nation duo/group class, which is “not simply my achievement — it’s a continuation of Black historical past.”

“It stands on the shoulders of those that fought, created, and paved the way in which lengthy earlier than me,” the singer continued. “This second belongs to all of us.”