Key Takeaways:

• Their “Took a Walk” duet earned Shaboozey and Stephen Wilson Jr. a standing ovation on the 2025 CMA Awards.
• BigXThaPlug teamed up with Luke Combs for a dwell model of “Pray Hard” from his genre-blending album.
• Shaboozey was nominated for New Artist of the Year, a serious milestone in his nation music crossover.

Shaboozey and BigXThaPlug represented for the tradition on the annual Country music Association (CMA) Awards final night time (Nov. 19). The former even earned a standing ovation for his efficiency alongside singer Stephen Wilson Jr.

The CMAs kicked off at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena with Luke Combs, who returned later to hit the stage with BigXThaPlug. The pair carried out “Pray Hard,” from BigX’s newest album, I Hope You’re Happy. Released in August 2025, the “Mmhmm” rapper’s third challenge is a fusion of hip hop and nation and obtained crucial acclaim.

While BigX is extra of a conventional rapper, Shaboozey got here to fame being steeped closely within the nation wave. The Virginia native’s 2024 hit, “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” arrived after he obtained an enormous co-sign from Beyoncé when he appeared on her COWBOY CARTER album. His observe went to the highest of Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart. During its run, it broke a number of information, together with the music/chart-beat/shaboozey-a-bar-song-tipsy-breaks-radio-songs-number-one-record-1235891417/”>most time spent at No. 1 on the Billboard Radio Songs chart. During the award present, singer Lainey Wilson riffed on “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” with Shaboozey, who was within the viewers.

Shaboozey has since confirmed he’s not a one-hit marvel. He additionally carried out his more moderen single, “Took A Walk.” The track is taken from the soundtrack for the movie The Long Walk. The film’s theme was carried out into the stage presentation, because it was embellished to seem like a area. Shaboozey walked alongside a path as he sang and approached a guitar-wielding Wilson. The stirring efficiency, which additionally featured a full band, earned them a standing ovation.

Besides drawing applause, Shaboozey was nominated for New Artist of the Year. Zach Top in the end took house the respect on the 59th annual ceremony.