Shaboozey sparked an arena-wide singalong with his viral song of the summer, “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” on the first night of the 2024 iHeartRadio Music Festival presented by Capital One on Friday (September 20). Thomas Rhett, who performed ahead of Shaboozey in the star-studded lineup, introduced him to the stage.
Shaboozey, who appeared on Beyoncé’s COWBOY CARTER earlier this year, and the massively-popular single received widespread recognition among fans and nominations in serveral major categories at country award shows this year. Next week, Shaboozey is up for New Artist of 2024 at the second annual People’s Choice Country Awards on Thursday, September 26. “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” is nominated in the Song of 2024 category, among others. He’s also up for two awards at the 58th CMA Awards in November: New Artist of the Year and Single of the Year (“A Bar Song (Tipsy)”).
The high-energy moment at the iHeartRadio Music Festival arrived as the Virginia-born rapper and singer-songwriter, 29, released his newest song and music video, directed by Aidan Cullen in Montana. Shaboozey released “Highway” on Friday. Cullen said in an Instagram post that it’s “a story about a nomad who just has to keep going.” Shaboozey wrote in his own Instagram caption: “Sometimes the hardest goodbyes are the ones that keep you holding on.”
Shaboozey was one of several artists to take the stage in the star-studded, genre-spanning lineup. Others included Big Sean, Camila Cabello, Doja Cat, Gwen Stefani, Hozier, Keith Urban, New Kids on the Block, Paramore, Thomas Rhett, The Black Crowes, Victoria Monét, and more. It was all hosted by Ryan Seacrest.
If you missed any of the action this weekend, or just want to re-live it all, an iHeartRadio Music Festival special including highlights from the event will be available to stream on Hulu on October 7th.