J-Kwon Removed As Songwriter For “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” By Grammys

The Recording Academy has revoked J-Kwon’s Grammy eligibility for Shaboozey’s breakout country hit, “A Bar Song (Tipsy).”

Initially nominated for Song of the Year at the 2025 Grammys, the track featured an interpolation of J-Kwon’s 2004 hip-hop classic “Tipsy,” crediting him and its original writers, Joe Kent and Mark Williams. However, a recent announcement confirmed that J-Kwon, along with Kent and Williams, will no longer be recognized as songwriters for the Shaboozey track.

Under the Academy’s rules governing sampled or interpolated material, the original creators of “Tipsy” are now only eligible to receive a certificate if “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” secures a win at the February 1 ceremony. Despite this, the legacy of “Tipsy,” which reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2004, endures through Shaboozey’s record-breaking hit.

“A Bar Song (Tipsy)” has enjoyed immense commercial success, reigning atop the Billboard Hot 100 for an unprecedented 19 weeks. It now joins Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road” as one of only two tracks to achieve such a feat. The single propelled Shaboozey, born Collins Obinna Chibueze, into the spotlight, earning him five Grammy nominations, including Song of the Year, Best Country Song, and Best Country Solo Performance.

Hailing from Virginia, Shaboozey has garnered acclaim for his innovative fusion of country and rap. His third album, Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going, secured him a Best New Artist nomination, further solidifying his place as one of the genre’s most exciting new voices.

Beyond his solo work, Shaboozey has made waves through collaborations, most notably with Beyoncé on her experimental country track “Cowboy Carter.” Their duet, “Spaghetti,” is also up for a Grammy, contending in the Best Melodic Rap Performance category.

As the Grammys approach, the conversation around “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” and its connection to J-Kwon’s legacy highlights the evolving landscape of genre-blurring music. While the Recording Academy’s decision may reshape the recognition of the song’s origins, its impact on the charts and Shaboozey’s rising career remains undeniable.