Shaboozey is preparing for one of the biggest television moments of his career as the genre-bending country and hip-hop star takes the stage at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles, California, on September 27.
The performance will mark Shaboozey’s VMAs performance debut, giving the singer-songwriter an opportunity to bring his distinctive blend of country, hip-hop and Americana to one of the world’s most recognizable music stages.
MTV and CBS confirmed that he will perform his hit single “Cowgirl” and will also be joined by rapper Gunna for the first broadcast performance of their collaboration, “High Noon.”
The appearance comes during a major period in Shaboozey’s career. His ability to move between country music and hip-hop has helped him establish a distinctive identity in contemporary popular music, while his songs have connected with audiences well beyond traditional genre boundaries.
“Cowgirl” has already amassed more than 100 million official streams, according to the VMAs’ official announcement, underlining the commercial reach of the song ahead of his high-profile performance.
Shaboozey is also entering the awards ceremony with recognition from MTV. He has received five career VMA nominations, including two nominations at this year’s ceremony — Best Country and Best Cinematography. Gunna, meanwhile, has received two career nominations.
The Los Angeles ceremony will feature a star-studded lineup, with Madonna scheduled to open the show, marking her return to the VMAs stage after 23 years. Other performers include LISA, RAYE, Sienna Spiro, GENER8ION and Yung Lean.
The ceremony will be hosted by Snoop Dogg, with the 2026 VMAs returning to Los Angeles for the first time since 2017. The show will air live on CBS and MTV and stream on Paramount+.
For Shaboozey, however, the spotlight will be firmly on his own moment.
With “Cowgirl” showcasing his country side and “High Noon” bringing Gunna into the mix, his performance promises to underline the musical versatility that has made him one of the notable crossover artists of his generation.
The 2026 VMAs could therefore become a defining chapter in Shaboozey’s rapidly expanding career and a major showcase for an artist continuing to blur the boundaries between Nashville and hip-hop.
