Shaboozey and EMPIRE form new label American Dogwood with Kevin Powers as first signing

Five-time Grammy nominated singer-songwriter Shaboozey and his label EMPIRE have teamed up to establish an independent record label called American Dogwood.

The new label is described as “inspired by the culture and traditions of Virginia and the greater Mid-Atlantic“.

American Dogwood’s first signee is Nashville songwriter Kevin Powers, whose co-writing credits include Shaboozey‘s recent collaboration with Jelly Roll on Amen. The track has accumulated over 50 million streams within three months of its release. Powers also has viral singles including Walked In and How You Been?

To mark the launch of American Dogwood, Shaboozey and Powers are releasing a new song called Move On on September 19. Powers will also serve as opener for Shaboozey’s upcoming 12-city The Great American Roadshow Tour, beginning September 22 in Indianapolis.

The launch of Shaboozey’s own label in partnership with EMPIRE follows his commercial breakthrough with A Bar Song (Tipsy), which achieved 8x RIAA-Platinum certification and was recognized as the longest-leading Hot 100 No. 1, while also topping Billboard’s Hot Country Songs, Country Airplay Chart, and Mediabase/Country Aircheck charts.

A Bar Song (Tipsy) also established Shaboozey as the first Black male artist to simultaneously top Billboard’s Hot Country Songs and Hot 100 charts. It ranked No. 7 on PPL‘s ranking of the most-played track across UK radio, TV and public venues in 2024.

Shaboozey was also featured on Beyoncé’s COWBOY CARTER. His latest record, Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going, debuted in the Top 5 of the Billboard 200.

Shaboozey co-founded American Dogwood with longtime collaborators Jared Cotter and Abas Pauti, who manage several multi-platinum artists. EMPIRE will provide global infrastructure and support to the partnership, building on a similar relationship with Shaboozey.

“American Dogwood is a tribute to where we come from, and to the artists, storytellers, and creators who make this life remarkable.”

Shaboozey

Commenting on the launch, Shaboozey said: “American Dogwood is a tribute to where we come from, and to the artists, storytellers, and creators who make this life remarkable.

“Our mission is to nurture the next generation of voices and to give them a place to grow, connect, and create. This is the beginning of a new chapter – one I hope always feels like home.”

Powers added: “I couldn’t be more excited to join the American Dogwood family. My first release, Move On featuring Shaboozey, is about what happens when a relationship ends – how some people can let go, while others hold on longer than they should.

“It’s a story I think a lot of people will connect with, and I couldn’t imagine a better way to begin this journey than sharing it with Shaboozey by my side.”

For EMPIRE, the deal marks its latest partnership after teaming up with Cambodian music company Baramey Production in April to break Cambodian artists globally.

In February, the San Francisco-based independent label, distribution and publishing company made a strategic investment in artist marketing platform un:hurd.

Music Business Worldwide