For those keeping tabs on the statewide music scene, this might not come as news, but it’s worth noting: Over the summer, two artists from Woodbridge, Virginia—Shaboozey and Tommy Richman—made serious waves on the national stage, both landing spots on the Billboard “Hot 100” chart.
It’s relevant to Richmond, as both artists have ties to our city, whether through collaborations or appearances, and they’ve found success beyond the limitations of their local music scene. Here’s a recap for anyone who might have missed it.
Shaboozey’s Genre-Blending Success
Shaboozey, born Collins Chibeuze, is a 29-year-old artist who has gained recognition by merging country and rap, a blend that reflects his diverse upbringing in Virginia. A Gar-Field High School graduate, Shaboozey’s stage name was a nickname from his classmates. Growing up in a Nigerian-American household, his music is deeply influenced by his father.
In a May 2024 interview with NPR, Shaboozey discussed how his father’s hard work and eclectic musical tastes shaped his own journey. “He washed dishes at Roy Rogers, worked on cars, and did as many odd jobs as he could just to get through college in Texas. Those morals and teachings stuck with me throughout my life,” Shaboozey explained. “He listened to traditional Nigerian music, but he also played Kenny Rogers and Willie Nelson for me. That mix of influences definitely shaped who I am.”
Shaboozey’s single, “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” has topped both the Billboard Hot 100 and the Hot Country Songs charts, making him the first Black man to achieve this milestone. His album Where I’ve Been Isn’t Where I’m Going, released on May 31, 2024, continues to build on his success.
Reflecting on Virginia’s influence, Shaboozey told COLORS X EDITORIAL earlier this year, “In Virginia, I always felt the freedom to be myself and explore my creativity. The diversity here meant I would never be confined to a single style or genre. The cultural icons from Virginia, like Pharrell, Missy Elliott, and Timbaland, have been huge inspirations—they’re all incredibly innovative and creative.”
Shaboozey also sees a parallel between his own journey and that of Nelly, who was a pioneer in blending hip-hop with country music. He explained “Nelly is from St. Louis and was exposed to country music early on, leading him to incorporate it into his hip-hop in a way that hadn’t been done before. Our stories are similar—I’m from Virginia, where hip-hop is part of our scene, but in our rural areas, we’re known for country music. Experimenting with country music was easy for me.”
Shaboozey continues to draw inspiration from Virginia’s rich musical legacy. “No two artists from Virginia are alike,” he said. “We champion individuality here. Virginia is a breeding ground for world builders.”
Here is his newest.
Also, Shaboozey performing at the now defunct Create Space Richmond, VA back in 2015.
Tommy Richman’s Rise in the Rap Scene
Tommy Richman, a 24-year-old rapper has been making headlines with his mega hit “Million Dollar Baby.” Growing up with a drum teacher for a father, Richman’s musical journey started early. His career began to gain momentum after he released his EP Paycheck and relocated to Los Angeles in 2022.
Reflecting on his journey in an interview with Billboard, Richman shared that he grew up in Woodbridge, Virginia, listening to artists like 50 Cent and Lil Wayne. Despite the town’s lack of a vibrant music scene, he inherited his musical sensibilities from his father. While many around him pursued traditional careers, Richman was determined to follow his passion for music. He self-released the single “Pleasantville” during his freshman year of college, promoting it by sharing links on various YouTube pages and asking for honest feedback. The positive responses fueled his decision to pursue music full-time.
In 2022, Richman connected with Darren Xu, COO of ISO Supremacy, who quickly recognized Richman’s potential and introduced him to Brent Faiyaz. By August, Richman had signed a record deal with ISO Supremacy in partnership with PULSE Music Group. He also joined Faiyaz on his “F*ck the World, It’s a Wasteland” tour that summer and collaborated on the track “Upset” for Faiyaz’s album Larger Than Life, which reached No. 12 on Billboard’s Hot R&B Songs chart.
In the aforementioned interview, Richman talked about the importance of having a supportive team, “[My team] values me as a person. A lot of people see you as an object: ‘We have to stay around this guy because he makes good songs.’ But this wouldn’t have really happened if we didn’t get along as people.” He also mentioned that “Drake reached out super early when I put out [2023 single] ‘Last Nite,’” and as more A-list endorsements rolled in, Richman’s confidence grew. In 2024, he released two singles, “Soulcrusher” and “Selfish,” before his breakout hit “Million Dollar Baby.”
The success of “Million Dollar Baby” was driven by a viral teaser posted on social media. Shot in a grainy VHS style, the clip featured Richman and his friends dancing in the studio, quickly amassing over 12.5 million views on TikTok. Richman attributes the video’s success to its raw, in-your-face audio and nostalgic vibe. The track’s popularity led to a hurried release, with Richman turning in the final master recording just days before its official drop on April 26.
Despite heavy competition from hip-hop giants like Drake and Kendrick Lamar, “Million Dollar Baby” debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped several other charts, including Streaming Songs, Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, and Hot R&B Songs. Reflecting on the timing of his release, Richman said, “It was a blessing, low-key. People were saying it was the worst time to drop, but it ended up being funny. We were seen as the palate cleanse.”
Richman is also a strong advocate for local artists in Virginia, often calling for more collaboration and unity within the state’s music scene. In a 2022 interview with Lyrical Lemonade, he expressed his frustration with the gatekeeping in Virginia, saying, “There’s so much talent in Virginia, but it feels like people are gatekeeping, which doesn’t make sense because we’re all up-and-coming artists. It feels divided instead of united. We have legends like Pharrell and Timbaland, but for the new generation, we need to come together more.”
Yesterday, Richman teased his newest album COYOTE.
Impact on the Charts and Beyond
Both Shaboozey and Richman have seen significant success on streaming platforms. Richman’s “Million Dollar Baby” hit No. 1 on Apple Music’s USA Top 100 chart and No. 3 globally, while Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” earned top 10 spots both nationally and globally on Spotify.
As these artists continue to rise, the hope is their achievements inspire local musicians in Richmond to realize that success is possible, even when their surroundings might seem limiting. Who knows—maybe we’ll even see these two collaborate for a show in Richmond, something we’d definitely be down to witness.
