Shaboozey Reacts at AMAs Over Country Music Origins Claim

At the 2025 American Music Awards, a tense moment arose when Megan Moroney stated that the Carter Family "basically invented country music" while presenting an award with Shaboozey, who responded with a sharp side-eye and an awkward chuckle. Shaboozey later clarified on social media that his reaction stemmed from a deeper understanding of country music's history, emphasizing the significant contributions of Black artists to the genre, and expressing discomfort with the perceived whitewashing in Moroney's statement. The Carter Family, pioneers from the late 1920s to 1940s, did influence country music, but Shaboozey's response sparked broader discussions about recognizing the full and diverse roots of the genre. Some speculated that Shaboozey momentarily associated "the Carter family" comment with Beyoncé and her family, who recently entered country music with the album "Cowboy Carter," which won Favorite Country Album at the same event, despite mixed public reception. Social media users debated the accuracy of Moroney's line and defended her as merely reading the teleprompter, while others supported Shaboozey's reaction as highlighting important historical context. The incident underscored ongoing conversations about race, recognition, and history within country music.