Photo Credit: J-Kwon for Spotify
The Recording Academy has withdrawn rapper J-Kwon’s Grammy eligibility as a songwriter for Shaboozey’s country hit “A Bar Song (Tipsy).”
Shaboozey’s smash hit, “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” is up for a Grammy for 2025 Song of the Year, but rapper J-Kwon, whose 2004 hip-hop track “Tipsy” is interpolated in the song, won’t be eligible for a songwriting credit. Initially, Shaboozey’s country jam credited the rapper, as well as writers Joe Kent and Mark Williams.
But an updated post on the Recording Academy website reveals Kent, Williams, and J-Kwon (real name Jerrell C. Jones) will no longer be considered songwriters. Instead, the writers of the original hip-hop track will only be eligible for a certificate if Shaboozey’s song wins at the awards ceremony on February 1, according to the Academy’s rules regarding sampled or interpolated material.
“Tipsy” hit #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in April 2004. It continues life 20 years on through “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” which held the #1 spot for over four months. The song joined Lil Nas X’s 2018 hit “Old Town Road” as the only songs to maintain the top spot for 19 weeks.
“A Bar Song (Tipsy)” propelled Shaboozey into the limelight, landing him his first of five Grammy nominations, including Best Country Song, Best Country Solo Performance, and Song of the Year. Known for fusing country and rap, the Virginia native also secured a Best New Artist nomination following his third album, Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going.
His collaborations with Beyoncé on her country debut, Cowboy Carter, further launched him into the cultural zeitgeist. Their track “Spaghetti” is also nominated for Best Melodic Rap Performance. Queen Bey is up for Song of the Year as well for “Texas Hold ‘Em.”
The 2025 Song of the Year Grammy nomination also includes Billie Eilish’s “Birds of a Feather,” Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars’ “Die With A Smile,” Taylor Swift and Post Malone’s “Fortnight,” Chappell Roan’s “Good Luck, Babe!,” Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us,” and Sabrina Carpenter’s “Please Please Please.”