Shaboozey and Gunna Ignite 2026 VMAs with Fiery Western Show

"High Noon," the powerful collaboration with Gunna, was featured on Shaboozey's album *The Outlaw Cherie Lee & Other Western Tales*, which dropped in July 2026. The track quickly gained widespread recognition when it was selected by ESPN as the anthem for the 2026-27 college football season, significantly broadening its reach. The accompanying music video for "High Noon" features Shaboozey in a pale-blue Western suit and Gunna behind a bar, dressed in a white shirt, waistcoat, and dark sunglasses, performing amidst saloon patrons. This visual, co-written by Shaboozey and Xaivia Inniss, utilizes a gritty style, transitioning between color and black-and-white footage.

Shaboozey, whose birth name is Collins Obinna Chibueze, is a Nigerian-American artist born on May 9, 1995, in Woodbridge, Virginia. His distinct musical style is celebrated for its seamless blend of country, Americana, and hip-hop, drawing inspiration from his rich heritage and upbringing. He first gained significant recognition through his features on Beyoncé's 2024 album *Cowboy Carter* and his chart-topping single "A Bar Song (Tipsy)," which famously tied Lil Nas X's "Old Town Road" for the then-longest run at Number One on the Billboard Hot 100. Prior to his music career, Shaboozey initially aspired to be a novelist and founded V Picture Films, a production company, in 2014 with ambitions to write, direct, and produce.

His fourth studio album, *The Outlaw Cherie Lee & Other Western Tales*, arrived in late July 2026 via American Dogwood and Empire Distribution. This ambitious project is a concept album, co-created with Xaivia Inniss, that unfolds a revenge story arc centered on a fictional outlaw named Cherie Lee. Shaboozey described the album as a project that had been "several years in the making," exploring themes of "revenge, redemption, and romance." The album debuted impressively at Number One on Billboard's Independent Albums chart and Number 12 on the Billboard 200, garnering mostly positive reviews from critics. *Rolling Stone* praised it as "a bold, thrilling listen" that highlights the "unbridled creativity [Shaboozey] brings to country music," while *The Guardian* lauded it as "a striking addition to the rich canon of country concept albums."

Gunna, born Sergio Giavanni Kitchens on June 14, 1993, in College Park, Georgia, is a prominent American rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer. He rose to prominence after signing with Young Thug's YSL Records in 2016, known for his melodic flow and signature trap sound. His career boasts successful albums such as *Drip or Drown 2* (2019), *Wunna* (2020), and *DS4Ever* (2022), with numerous tracks reaching high positions on the Billboard charts. Gunna's collaborations with artists like Lil Baby and Young Thug, including the diamond-certified "Drip Too Hard," have cemented his mainstream success. Producers Sean Cook and Nevin Sastry are credited for their work on both "Cowgirl" and "High Noon." Sastry, a producer and songwriter, has a history of collaboration with Shaboozey, having worked on his previous album *Where I've Been, Isn't Where I'm Going* and the chart-topping "A Bar Song (Tipsy)." Sastry has been nominated for three Grammy Awards and is recognized for his ability to blend elements of country, hip-hop, and pop in his productions.

Shaboozey's continued embrace of the "outlaw" concept resonates deeply with him. He has publicly stated, "I get a lot of strength from the idea of an outlaw. When I read their stories and listen to their music, it's like, man, they were kind of just like me. They weren't always accepted or honored the way that you would think. Those are the guys that we all look up to and want to be as country artists." This philosophy is visibly integrated into his current headlining "Outlaws Never Die Tour," which is designed around the story and imagery of *The Outlaw Cherie Lee & Other Western Tales*, featuring cinematic visuals and Western costuming.

Shaboozey's ability to effortlessly fuse country, Americana, and hip-hop continues to push genre boundaries, making him a significant voice in contemporary music. The widespread appeal of "High Noon" as a college football anthem further demonstrates his expanding influence beyond traditional music audiences. The VMA performance underscored not only the artistic vision behind his latest album but also his dynamic stage presence. Fans can still catch Shaboozey on his "Outlaws Never Die Tour," which runs through October 27, with upcoming stops in cities including Boston, Washington D.C., New York City, Philadelphia, Chicago, San Francisco, and a finale show in Los Angeles.