Shaboozey Plants Roots: Global Superstar Launches Genre-Defying Label, American Dogwood, with EMPIRE
By Christian Lamitschka for Country Music News International Magazine
Continuing a breakthrough year defined by an avalanche of award nods, widespread critical accolades, and record-breaking hits, Shaboozey has announced his latest evolution as a trail-blazing artist: the founding of his own record label, American Dogwood. This move is far more than a vanity project; it is a critical institutional step designed to formalize and expand the cultural movement that his music has ignited.
In partnership with Shaboozey’s label home, EMPIRE, American Dogwood will emerge directly from the artist’s own genre-blurring and boundary-pushing musical philosophy. The label’s primary mandate is to discover and empower a roster of artists whose backgrounds and visions are as diverse and unconventional as Shaboozey’s own. This initiative positions the rising star not just as a musician, but as a genuine curator and architect of the future sound of Americana and beyond.
The Vision: Fostering Cultural Convergence
American Dogwood is set to become a haven for creators who refuse to be pigeonholed. Shaboozey’s sound—a seamless blend of hip-hop swagger, country storytelling, rock energy, and folk earnestness—has demonstrated that modern audiences crave music that defies traditional classification. The label’s name itself, invoking the sturdy, classic beauty of the American Dogwood tree, suggests a commitment to deeply rooted, authentic artistry that branches out in unexpected directions.
This vision is critical for the current musical landscape, which often forces artists who blend genres to choose one lane for commercial viability. American Dogwood is designed to eliminate that choice, providing the necessary support and infrastructure for artists whose work exists at the intersection of cultural convergence. The goal is to build a community of risk-takers who prioritize artistic integrity over adherence to strict genre formulas, thereby institutionalizing the kind of boundary-breaking creativity that propelled Shaboozey to global stardom.
The Operational Structure: Mentorship Meets Global Infrastructure
The label’s operational structure combines proven executive expertise with the vast resources of a global music powerhouse. American Dogwood was co-founded by Shaboozey alongside his longtime collaborators, Jared Cotter and Abas Pauti.
Cotter and Pauti, who currently manage multiple multi-platinum artists, will spearhead the label’s A&R (Artists and Repertoire) efforts. Their roles will focus heavily on discovering and mentoring talent, bringing their wealth of experience in artist development and strategic career management to the new venture. This hands-on, artist-centric approach ensures that American Dogwood will be built on a foundation of genuine creative guidance and mentorship.
The partnership with EMPIRE—a leading independent record label and distributor—is essential to the model. EMPIRE will provide the global infrastructure, distribution network, marketing resources, and administrative support necessary to scale the label’s operations worldwide. Having shepherded Shaboozey’s own ascent, EMPIRE is perfectly positioned to support American Dogwood in replicating that success with its future signings. This strategic alliance allows Shaboozey and his team to focus purely on the creative and developmental aspects of the business while relying on EMPIRE’s powerful global reach.
Impact on the Industry and Future Outlook
The launch of American Dogwood represents a seismic shift in how artists can leverage massive commercial success into long-term influence. By creating his own home for diverse talent, Shaboozey is not just celebrating his own lane; he is building a highway for others who follow a similar, unconventional path.
For the music industry, this move validates the importance of artistic independence and the increasing irrelevance of genre walls, particularly in country and roots music. It will likely attract a flood of submissions from artists who have previously felt marginalized by traditional industry structures—those blending country with trap, folk with R&B, or rock with regional sounds. American Dogwood is poised to be a vanguard for this new generation, ensuring that the artists who are fundamentally changing the sound of popular music have a dedicated and influential platform.
Photo (c) Daniel Prakopcyk