Shaboozey shines in Toronto debut

Country star's show left a positive, lasting impression

- NICK KREWEN

Well, Shaboozey - that was a doozy!

If there was any sort of debate about who owned the song of the summer, the winner at least in terms of chart action - would be the dreadlocked country singer from Woodbridge, Va.

The crossover "A Bar Song (Tipsy)" has been topping Canadian charts for the past three months, while in the U.S., the good-time number has peaked at No.1 for close to 10 non-consecutive weeks: Overall, a pretty good accomplishment for a guy that's been kicking around the system for a decade. "Tipsy" hasn't been his only breakthrough this year: He also embellished the second part of Beyoncé's "Renaissance" trilogy the acclaimed "Cowboy Carter" album with a rap appearance on "Spaghettii" and a co-write and appearance on "Sweet Honey Buckiin," an impressive calling card if you can get it.

On Friday night, Collins Obinna Chibueze made his Toronto debut at a fairly filled Danforth Music Hall and left a positive, lasting impression for a genre that occasionally needs a breath of fresh air.