Shaboozey asserts that Dolly Parton’s imprint on country music resonates worldwide.
The 31-year-old performer, whose track Amen Cowgirl nods to the late Queen of Country’s classic hit 9 to 5, credited Dolly with widening the reach of country beyond Nashville.
He revealed that Parton had long been admired within his own family, and stated that her global fame speaks volumes about her cultural impact.
He told People: “She was among my dad’s favourite country artists.”
“He was born in Nigeria and grew up there. The fact that he knows Dolly Parton just shows you how much of a global impact she had on the entire world, not just Nashville.”
The A Bar Song (Tipsy) creator also credited Dolly with helping country music evolve into the form it has today.
He said: “And just her activism and just her wanting to see country music become what it is today. I think she accomplished that, man. Dolly Parton forever.”
Shaboozey also celebrated the ongoing success of country music, especially the rising prominence of female artists on the charts.
The singer recently saw his own chart milestone eclipsed as Ella Langley’s Choosin’ Texas enjoyed a lengthy run at number one.
Rather than expressing disappointment, he welcomed the achievement and viewed it as another sign of the genre’s continued growth.
He said: “It’s cool to see Ella Langley getting the longest number one of all time. ‘Choosin’ Texas’ beating me out.”
Shaboozey’s breakthrough smash A Bar Song (Tipsy) previously matched Lil Nas X’s Old Town Road as the longest-running non-holiday No. 1 in Billboard Hot 100 history after spending 19 weeks at the top of the chart.
Reflecting on country music’s expanding audience, he suggested Dolly would be pleased to see the genre thriving in new places and attracting a broader fanbase.
He added: “Just seeing country music becoming what it is and fun and everybody enjoying it in just different places, again, it’s what Dolly would’ve wanted as well.
“So it’s just cool to see women really kicking butt. I’ll say that.”
