As football fans across the country prepare for the annual Detroit Lions Thanksgiving Day Classic, the team has just announced that Grammy-nominated artist Shaboozey will be the headliner for this year’s highly anticipated halftime show.
On November 28th, when the Lions host the Chicago Bears at Ford Field, the rising country music star, known for his unique blend of rap and country influences, will take the stage. Shaboozey, whose real name is Chibueze Collins Obinna, first broke onto the scene in 2014 and has since gone on to earn six Grammy nominations, including a nod for Best New Artist.
The 27-year-old artist, who was born to Nigerian immigrant parents in the small town of Woodbridge, Virginia, has quickly become one of the most exciting up-and-coming acts in the country music landscape. Rolling Stone praised his 2023 album “Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going” for “honoring country tradition and moving it forward,” and it debuted in the top 5 on the Billboard 200 chart.
Shaboozey’s breakout single “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” has been a smash hit, topping the Billboard Hot 100 chart for a record-setting 12 weeks. Over 1 billion streams across platforms have contributed to the track’s 6x platinum certification. The song’s catchy lyrics and dance-friendly beat have made it inescapable on country radio and helped cement Shaboozey’s status as a rising star.
“I’m so excited to be a part of the Detroit Lions Thanksgiving Day tradition,” Shaboozey said in a statement. “Performing at halftime is a dream come true, and I can’t wait to get the crowd on their feet and feel ‘tipsy’ before the second half kicks off.”
The announcement of Shaboozey as the halftime performer continues the Lions’ tradition of booking high-profile musical acts for their annual Thanksgiving showcase. Last year, rap superstar Jack Harlow headlined the halftime festivities, and the team has previously featured artists like Meghan Trainor, Maren Morris, and Keith Urban.
“Shaboozey is the perfect artist to get our fans fired up for the second half,” said Detroit Lions President and CEO Rod Wood. “His unique sound and energetic stage presence are a perfect fit for our Thanksgiving Day halftime show, and we can’t wait to see what he has in store.”
The Detroit Lions Thanksgiving Day Classic has been a staple of the holiday since 1934, and this year’s matchup against the Bears is sure to be a hotly contested affair. The Lions, who are off to an 8-1 start, will be looking to solidify their position atop the NFC North, while the Bears will be hoping to pull off an upset on the road.
Regardless of the on-field action, Shaboozey’s halftime performance is sure to be a highlight for the thousands of fans in attendance and the millions more watching at home. With his blend of country, rap, and infectious stage presence, the young artist is poised to deliver a Thanksgiving Day halftime show that will have everyone in Detroit feeling “tipsy.”