Shaboozey and Gunna Set the 2026 VMAs Stage on Fire With 'High Noon'

Shaboozey and Gunna debuted their collaboration "High Noon" live at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards — and closed the number by setting the stage's saloon set on fire.

Shaboozey opened the performance inside a saloon, rapping the lyrics of "Cowgirl" while backup performers played cards, danced and staged a bar fight around him. The scene then went dark. A Wanted poster of "Boozey" landed on the barroom table, and Shaboozey walked out of the saloon. Gunna emerged from a jet-black carriage to join him for "High Noon," their runaway hit. The set was fiery — literally, because the saloon caught fire at the end.

The performance gave the VMAs its most theatrical country moment of the night. It also served as a launchpad for a track that has already become the biggest crossover of Shaboozey's year.

"Cowgirl" is nominated for two MTV VMAs this year: Best Country and Best Cinematography.

The song is the second single from Shaboozey's fourth studio album, The Outlaw Cherie Lee & Other Western Tales, which arrived in late July. Sean Cook and Nevin Sastry produced the guitar-laden track, which peaked at Number 11 on Billboard's U.S. Hot Country Songs chart.

The accompanying Western-inspired music video was co-directed by Shaboozey and Logan Meis. It stars Summer House personality Ciara Miller — who, in a neat piece of ceremony symmetry, introduced Shaboozey's VMA performance on the night.

Shaboozey is currently on the road with his headlining Outlaws Never Die Tour, which runs through Oct. 27. Remaining stops include Boston, Washington D.C., New York City, Philadelphia, Chicago and San Francisco, before a finale show in Los Angeles.

With a burning saloon behind him, a double VMA nomination and a national tour still rolling through late October, Shaboozey leaves the 2026 ceremony as country's most conspicuous presence at an awards show built for pop.