Cody Johnson recently won the 2024 CMA Award for Album of the Year, but the spotlight quickly shifted to a controversial remark made by producer Trent Willmon during the ceremony.

During his acceptance speech, Willmon jokingly referenced breakthrough artist Shaboozey, stating, 'this is for this cowboy who’s been kicking Shaboozey for a lot of years,' which many interpreted as a microaggression.

This comment, alongside light-hearted jabs about Shaboozey's name from hosts Peyton Manning and Luke Bryan, sparked significant backlash from fans and critics alike.

Willmon's joke was met with outrage, prompting fans to demand an apology on social media platforms like X, Instagram, and TikTok.

Many fans criticized Willmon's remark as inappropriate, with some expressing anger and defending Shaboozey against what they saw as disrespect.

Music writer Larisha Paul highlighted the problematic nature of Willmon's comment, emphasizing the troubling trend of simplifying Black culture for mainstream audiences.

In a composed response, Shaboozey, whose real name is Collins Obinna Chibueze, stated on X, 'Ain’t nobody kicking me!' which resonated positively with the public.

Shaboozey's response was viewed as classy, enhancing his image as a respectful artist amidst the controversy.

After the incident, Willmon clarified his remarks on social media, expressing pride in Cody Johnson's success after 15 years in the music industry.

Despite the backlash, the CMA Awards have not issued an official apology regarding the incident.

Shaboozey made history with his song 'A Bar Song (Tipsy),' which reached Number One on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart, marking a significant achievement for Black artists in the genre.

Shaboozey explained that his stage name originated from a mispronunciation of his surname by a high school football coach.