J-Kwon’s excitement over his two Grammy nominations for Shaboozey’s viral hit, “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” has been short-lived. The St. Louis rapper and his co-writers of the 2004 classic “Tipsy”were originally listed as nominees for Song of the Year and Best Country Song but have now been disqualified. Instead, they’ll receive certificates if Shaboozey’s track wins in either category.
The rule behind the decision, as clarified by the Grammys, states that songwriters of interpolated or sampled material aren’t eligible for awards—only for recognition certificates. The news surfaced last week (December 12) but gained traction over the weekend after Billboard reported the change.
Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” borrows heavily from the hook of J-Kwon’s early 2000s banger, which led to the original writers being credited. While this might have seemed like a Grammy-worthy nod initially, the Recording Academy’s strict rules on interpolation put an end to that.
Despite the setback for J-Kwon, Shaboozey has been on a roll. In November, he delivered a show-stopping performance of “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” during the Detroit Lions’ Thanksgiving Day game against the Chicago Bears. The highlight? Hanging out with none other than Eminem, who joined Shaboozey in a post-game Instagram carousel.
Eminem himself has had a banner year, with his Grammy-nominated album “The Death Of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce)” surpassing a billion streams on Spotify. He’s also up for Best Rap Album, while his hit single “Houdini” is contending for Best Rap Performance and Best Music Video at the 2025 Grammys.
While J-Kwon may have lost the chance to snag a Grammy statuette, his impact on Shaboozey’s chart-topping hit ensures his legacy lives on—certificates or not. For now, fans can look forward to seeing how “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” fares on music’s biggest night.
