Prairie State Wire

The Illinois State Fair has announced that rising star and crossover artist Shaboozey will headline the Illinois State Fair Grandstand on Sunday, August 18.

Shaboozey is carving his lane in the alternative country and hip-hop space. Born to parents of Nigerian descent and raised in Woodbridge, VA, Shaboozey grew up on an eclectic mix of music encompassing everything from classic hip-hop and R&B to country and blues icons like Johnny Cash, Kenny Rogers, Garth Brooks, and Lead Belly. He also drew inspiration from master lyricists such as Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen.

A true crossover artist, he began his 2024 run in March with two standout features on Beyoncé's "COWBOY CARTER"—the only artist with multiple appearances on the album. His latest body of work, the critically acclaimed "Where I've Been, Isn't Where I'm Going," debuted in the top five of the Billboard 200. The New York Times praised it for "bring[ing] hip-hop grit to country."

The album's single "A Bar Song (Tipsy)," which is two-time RIAA-certified platinum and peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, launched him to mainstream stardom. With this rise, Shaboozey and Beyoncé became the first Black artists to score back-to-back leaders in Billboard Hot Country Songs' history.

Tickets for this event featuring Shaboozey will be on sale Saturday, July 6 at 10 a.m. via Ticketmaster. Prices range from $20 to $85 depending on seating tier or standing room options.

Tickets for all Grandstand shows are available via Ticketmaster:

- August 9: Keith Urban with MacKenzie Porter

- August 10: Motley Crue with Phil X and The Drills

- August 11: Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit with Ashley McBryde

- August 13: Jordan Davis with Ashley Cooke

- August 14: Lil Wayne

- August 15: Jonas Brothers

- August 16: The Smashing Pumpkins with PVRIS

- August 17: Miranda Lambert with Gavin Adcock

- August 18: Shaboozey

Stay updated with news from the Illinois State Fair by connecting via Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Mark your calendars for the fair running from August 8 through August 18 in Springfield.