Hip-hop and country intersected on the annual Country Music Association (CMA) Awards stage last night (Nov. 19), with high-profile performances from Shaboozey and BigXThaPlug. The former even received a standing ovation for his powerful set alongside singer Stephen Wilson Jr.
The CMAs, hosted at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, featured a surprising collaboration when Luke Combs returned to the stage to join BigXThaPlug. The two performed “Pray Hard,” a track taken from BigX’s latest album, I Hope You’re Happy . Released in August 2025, the “Mmhmm” rapper’s third project has garnered critical acclaim for its successful fusion of Hip Hop and country elements.
While BigX is rooted in traditional rap, Shaboozey’s recent fame has been heavily steeped in the new country wave. The Virginia native’s 2024 smash hit, “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” followed a massive co-sign from Beyoncé after he appeared on her COWBOY CARTER album. The song quickly soared to the top of Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart, where its record-breaking run included setting a new high for the most time spent at No. 1 on the Billboard Radio Songs chart. Earlier in the award show, host Lainey Wilson acknowledged the viral hit by riffing on “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” with Shaboozey, who was in the audience.
Shaboozey proves he’s far from a one-hit wonder with his main performance, a stirring rendition of his more recent single, “Took A Walk.” The song, a collaboration with Stephen Wilson Jr., is taken from the soundtrack for the film The Long Walk , an adaptation of the Stephen King novel. The movie’s theme was integrated into the stage design, which was decorated to resemble a field. Shaboozey sang as he walked along a path and approached a guitar-wielding Wilson. The cinematic performance, which included a full band, was met with a resounding standing ovation from the crowd.