Billy Ray Cyrus has expressed immense pride in Shaboozey for achieving a historic milestone in the realm of country music with his song “A Bar Song (Tipsy).” This track has dominated the Billboard Hot 100 chart for 19 weeks—a remarkable achievement that Cyrus is quite familiar with.

The country music icon shares a record with Lil Nas X for having the longest stay at No. 1 on the Hot 100 with “Old Town Road (Remix),” which topped the chart for 19 straight weeks in 2019. Recently, Shaboozey’s hit also secured 19 weeks at the top, although not in consecutive weeks.

This distinction makes Shaboozey’s track the longest-running No. 1 for a solo artist, and interestingly enough, both records are now held by Black artists within the country genre.

“I’m genuinely proud of Shaboozey and the team at Empire,” Cyrus explains, noting his recent collaboration with Empire Publishing, the label backing Shaboozey.

Cyrus has personally experienced the challenges of exclusion in the country music scene and has been part of history as Lil Nas X challenged the industry standards.

Back in 2019, Lil Nas X’s viral hit “Old Town Road” was controversially removed from the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart because it supposedly lacked enough traditional country elements, sparking debates about discrimination. In response to this, Cyrus joined forces with Lil Nas X to remix the song, which then skyrocketed to fame, ultimately earning two Grammy Awards for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance and Best Music Video, as well as winning the Musical Event of the Year at the Country Music Association Awards.

“I told Lil Nas X the first time we met on Sunset Boulevard, while listening to our mix, ‘You’re a beacon in this world. Keep shining,'” Cyrus mentions during an interview with the YSL News Network. “Here’s the real advice: when you’re creating music, don’t box yourself in. Forget the box altogether.”

Cyrus has always believed in the potential for artists like Lil Nas X and Shaboozey to achieve groundbreaking success within the genre. His own music carries this message of hope, such as his duet “Hope Is Just Ahead” with the legendary Dionne Warwick, which addresses the tragedy at Sandy Hook.

“Back in early 1992—remember, I lived in my car in ’91—’Achy Breaky Heart’ was climbing to No. 1, and my album ‘Some Gave All’ was No. 1 across all genres,” he recalls. “I don’t intend to sound boastful, but breaking down genre barriers has defined my career—it’s the only place I truly belong.”

Cyrus reflects on how touring with Charley Pride significantly influenced him.

“In 1992, I found myself performing in Australia alongside Charley Pride, who, along with Carl Perkins and Porter Wagoner, really took me under his wing,” Cyrus shares. “He opened up about his experiences. There was a night that brought me to tears, but we managed to laugh through it—he was a fantastic friend.”

Pride came to Cyrus’s mind when he learned about Lil Nas X’s struggles.

“I discovered that this artist was seen as an underdog, facing backlash similar to what Charley Pride had told me about,” Cyrus states. “Not only did it anger me, but it also motivated me to say, ‘Do it for Charley.'”

He also mentioned being inspired by the legendary Johnny Cash, who had written him an encouraging letter in 1992 about perseverance and dismantling barriers.

“I’ve always made decisions by asking myself, ‘What would Johnny do?’ And when it came

“When I think of Lil Nas, I remember Johnny’s TV show and how he broke down barriers on that platform,” Cyrus remarks. “Without a doubt, Johnny would have asked, ‘How can I assist?'”

Cyrus has openly discussed his own struggles in the music industry. Back in 2019, he revealed that his track “Chevys and Fords” was initially turned away by country radio for being deemed “too country.” Although he believes that music is currently in a “fantastic place with no barriers,” he admits there’s still progress to be made.

“Country music has made significant strides. The CMAs demonstrated that there’s still some work to be done, which is perfectly fine,” he shares. “Like I mentioned regarding Beyoncé, she doesn’t need their validation to know she’s accomplished great things. Plus, she’ll collect plenty of Grammys for her efforts.”

Despite the success and influence of her album “Cowboy Carter,” which highlighted Black country artists and the genre’s heritage, Beyoncé received no nominations at the CMA Awards. Shaboozey, a collaborator from the album, was featured on tracks like “Spaghettii” and “Sweet Honey Buckin’,” and he has since seen his career flourish.

However, “Cowboy Carter” earned an impressive 11 Grammy nominations, including five in the country and American roots categories.

The absence of recognition at the CMA Awards sparked backlash from fans, with Cyrus being among the country music figures who supported her.

Before launching “Cowboy Carter,” Beyoncé spoke candidly about her experiences while creating the project, recalling her 2016 CMA Awards performance, which received a cold reception.

For Cyrus, the focus is on creating music that unites people, and his collaboration with Lil Nas X continues to resonate with fans even years later.

“I just checked the Spotify stats, and I was stunned that ‘Old Town Road’ is still getting so many streams,” he expresses. “That’s fantastic! My intention was to create music that everyone can enjoy and that touches lives across the globe.”

He recently released his new single “Remember Why You’re Here,” which he co-wrote with James Slater, on November 22. The song came out after he faced near-death experiences multiple times, right before Thanksgiving, which he spent singing and engaging with families at a veterans hospital in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

Cyrus credits his inspiration for the track to a trip to Anguilla, where he built tennis courts for children. He hopes it encourages others “to give back, to find happiness, to love one another, and to dream big.”