Shaboozey Celebrates Women In Country, Cherishing Dolly Parton’s Legacy And Praising Ella Langley
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The death of country music icon Dolly Parton has impacted many, speaking to her wide-ranging influence.
That influence wasn’t limited to the United States, of course, but one may be surprised to learn that her music reached listeners as far as Nigeria.
For Shaboozey, who is a first-generation American born of Nigerian immigrants, that’s exactly what he has lived.
Giving recent remarks on the red carpet, Shaboozey opened up about Dolly Parton’s influence on him and his family, as well as country music altogether.
He also spoke more broadly on women excelling in country music, including how it feels to have his record beaten by Ella Langley.
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Shaboozey Opens Up About Dolly Parton’s Influence On Country, And How He Feels About Ella Langley Besting Him On The Charts
Shaboozey’s affinity for Western and country music culture is sincere, and that includes his appreciation for Dolly Parton.
Both Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tispy)” and his more recent “Cowgirl” allude to Dolly Parton’s song “9 to 5,” with the latter of those songs being more direct with a well-placed Dolly namedrop.
When Dolly died at the age of 80 in August, Shaboozey posted a brief tribute to her on X, formerly Twitter, describing her as “everyone’s favorite artist.”
Rest in peace Dolly Parton, I wish I had the honor of meeting you. You were everyone’s favorite artist. Thank you for giving us some of the greatest music we’ll ever know.
— Shaboozey (@ShaboozeysJeans) August 25, 2026
Speaking on Nov. 2 with People on the red carpet of the CFDA Fashion Awards, which was the Council of Fashion Designers of America’s 45th award ceremony, Shaboozey spoke about women leading country music, paying special attention to the late Dolly Parton.
“She was one of my dad’s favorite country artists,” Shaboozey told People of Dolly Parton, adding, “He was born in Nigeria and grew up there.”
He went on to say:
“The fact that [my dad] knows Dolly Parton just shows you how much of a global impact she had on the entire world, not just Nashville … and just her activism and just her wanting to just see country music become what it is today. I think she accomplished that, man. Dolly Parton forever.”
This is not the first time that Shaboozey has opened up about his family’s enjoyment of country music.
Interviewed on The People Diaries in November of 2025, Shaboozey expounded upon his Nigerian roots and how that led to a country music appreciation as a young man.
“One thing I learned about Nigerians is, like, and especially my pops, they like really love country music,” Shaboozey said. “You go back there… my grandma used to play Don Williams, and Dolly Parton and all of them, Charley Pride, when I was young — probably even before I was alive — like my dad, [played] Kenny Rogers. It’s interesting to see how much they was always in tune with, like, Western music as much as they were with, you know, the traditional stuff, too.”
Resuming his remarks to People on the CFDA Fashion Awards red carpet, Shaboozey turned his attention to Ella Langley‘s recent accomplshment.
Prior to Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas,” Shaboozey shared the record for the longest time a non-holiday song had been No. 1 on the charts, with his “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” being No. 1 for 19 weeks, tying with Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus’ “Old Town Road.”
Since then, Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas” has been No. 1 for 26 non-consecutive weeks, besting Mariah Carey’s 1994 song “All I Want For Christmas,” which has been No. 1 for 22 non-consecutive weeks over the course of its release.
“It’s cool to see … I mean, Ella Langley getting the longest No. 1 of all time,” Shaboozey said. “‘Choosin’ Texas,’ you know, beatin’ me out. I think that was pretty cool to see.”
Further, he told People:
“Just seeing country music becomin’ what it is and fun and everybody enjoying it in, just, different places. Again, it’s what Dolly would’ve wanted, as well. It’s just cool to see women, just like, you know, really kicking butt.”
See Shaboozey address Ella Langley besting him on the charts, here:
Watch the cinematic music video Shaboozey co-directed for his song “Cowgirl,” which includes a lyrical shoutout to Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5,” here:
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