Shaboozey believes Dolly Parton’s influence on country music can be felt across the globe.
The 31-year-old star, whose track Amen Cowgirl tips the hat to the late Queen of Country’s classic hit 9 to 5, has praised Dolly for helping the genre reach audiences far beyond Nashville.
Shaboozey revealed Parton had long been admired in his own family and said her worldwide recognition speaks volumes about her cultural impact.
He told PEOPLE: “She was one of my dad’s favourite country artists.
“He was born in Nigeria and grew up there. The fact that he knows Dolly Parton just shows you how much of a global impact she had on the entire world, not just Nashville.”
The A Bar Song (Tipsy) hitmaker also credited Dolly for helping country music evolve into the genre it is today.
He said: “And just her activism and just her wanting to just see country music become what it is today. I think she accomplished that, man. Dolly Parton forever.”
Shaboozey went on to celebrate the continued success of country music, particularly the growing prominence of female artists on the charts.
The singer recently saw his own chart record eclipsed after Ella Langley’s Choosin’ Texas enjoyed a lengthy run at number one.
Rather than expressing disappointment, he welcomed the achievement and viewed it as another sign of the genre’s continued growth.
He said: “It’s cool to see Ella Langley getting the longest number one of all time. ‘Choosin’ Texas’ beating me out.”
Shaboozey’s breakthrough smash A Bar Song (Tipsy) previously matched Lil Nas X’s Old Town Road as the longest-running non-holiday number one in Billboard Hot 100 history after spending 19 weeks at the top of the chart.
Reflecting on country music’s expanding audience, he suggested Dolly would be pleased to see the genre thriving in new places and attracting a broader fanbase.
He added: “Just seeing country music becoming what it is and fun and everybody enjoying it in just different places, again, it’s what Dolly would’ve wanted as well.
“So it’s just cool to see women really kicking butt. I’ll say that.”
