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Shaboozey Blends Country and Hip-Hop with Fresh Energy at Extra Innings Festival

By on March 16, 2026

When Shaboozey took the Home Plate stage at 4:25 p.m. on February 28, the afternoon crowd at Tempe Beach Park responded with the kind of enthusiasm reserved for artists who feel both new and instantly familiar. His signature sound—a seamless blend of country storytelling, hip-hop rhythms, and wide-open Americana—brings something genuinely distinctive to today’s music scene. By weaving together rootsy melodies, sharp lyricism, and modern production, he creates songs that feel rooted in tradition while speaking directly to a broader audience.

File Photo: Shaboozey and his band perform in Lexington Kentucky at the Railbird Festival on May 31, 2025. (Photo Credit and Copyright; Larry Philpot/SoundstagePhotography.com)

The festival offered a natural home for that kind of cross-genre appeal. Extra Innings Festival, now in its third year since launching in 2024, continues as the country-and-roots companion to the original Innings Festival, which has welcomed fans to Tempe Beach Park since 2018. The two-day event combines live music with spring-training atmosphere, local food, and lakefront views, giving artists room to connect in a relaxed, welcoming setting.

Virginia Roots and a Genre-Blending Breakthrough

Born Collins Obinna Chibueze in Woodbridge, Virginia, Shaboozey grew up in the Washington, D.C., suburbs as the son of Nigerian immigrants. He has been active since 2014, quietly building his craft before exploding onto the national stage in 2024 with his album Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going. His music draws from an eclectic mix of country icons, hip-hop, and Virginia’s own creative legacy, creating a sound that feels personal and expansive at the same time.

File Photo: Shaboozey and his band perform in Lexington Kentucky at the Railbird Festival on May 31, 2025. (Photo Credit and Copyright; Larry Philpot/SoundstagePhotography.com)

Shaboozey performs as a solo artist backed by his longtime touring band. There have been no substantial lineup changes in the past few years that fans would need to note; the same tight group that helped shape his live sound has stayed consistent, allowing his performances to feel polished yet spontaneous.

The performance features:

  • Shaboozey – lead vocals, guitar

Signature songs include the chart-topping “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” which spent weeks at No. 1 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and Hot Country Songs charts, along with “Good News,” the Jelly Roll collaboration “Amen,” and tracks such as “Last of My Kind” and “Highway.” He has earned multiple Grammy nominations, including Best New Artist and Best Country Duo/Group Performance, and appeared on Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter. His festival appearances have grown rapidly, drawing crowds who appreciate his ability to bridge genres without losing authenticity.

File Photo: Shaboozey and his band perform in Lexington Kentucky at the Railbird Festival on May 31, 2025. (Photo Credit and Copyright; Larry Philpot/SoundstagePhotography.com)

That blend is exactly why Shaboozey belongs on a country festival lineup. His music has helped expand the definition of contemporary country by reaching new listeners while honoring the storytelling and melodies at the genre’s core—something festival crowds clearly embraced.

The Verified Home Plate Stage Set

The verified setlist from February 28, 2026, at Tempe Beach Park ran as follows:

  • Last of My Kind
  • Annabelle
  • Blink Twice
  • Tall Boy
  • Drink Don’t Need No Mix
  • Vegas
  • Family Tradition (Hank Williams, Jr. cover)
  • Highway
  • Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door (Bob Dylan cover)
  • Amen
  • Horses & Hellcats
  • Good News
  • A Bar Song (Tipsy)

Shaboozey moved easily between originals and respectful covers, letting the grooves build as the late-afternoon light stretched across the park.

Shaboozey’s afternoon performance showed how one artist’s vision can quietly shift the conversation around a genre. He kept the focus on the songs, the stories, and the shared energy of the moment, never forcing anything beyond what the music naturally delivered. For music lovers curious about where country is headed—or simply looking for a live experience that feels alive and inclusive—his sets offer something quietly rewarding.

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