Like a rallying cry, the words “worldwide Plutomanians dat na normal ting” have continued to unite people on dancefloors across the world, sending them into a perfectly orchestrated frenzy. These opening lyrics of Shallipopi’s smash hit, “Cast”, are pretty akin to the current positioning of the Nigerian artist’s career.
Performances at global festivals, collaborations with brands like boohooMAN, and tours in cities across the globe have all become normal things in the life of Shallipopi (born Crown Uzama) since getting his big break with 2023’s party anthem, “Elon Musk”. “The realisation [that my career was taking off] came gradually, but the life-changing feeling grew stronger as things started happening,” he says in conversation with Rolling Stone Africa.
Shallipopi’s quick ascension to the top following his 2022 debut could be seen as a result of a number of things. For one, the Nigerian music industry needed a slight push—something different, audacious, and compelling to shake up the charts. Shallipopi—with his niche, almost nursery rhyme-esque flow, log-drum-infused numbers, riveting personality and experiences (as exemplified on “Ex Convict”, his single inspired by his brush with Nigeria’s financial crimes commission, EFFC)—took on the mantle.
However, his most cogent attribute is his unrelenting commitment to championing his cultural heritage on tracks like “Obapluto” (which samples Monday Edo’s “Ogbaisi”) “ASAP” off his latest album, Shakespopi, and his assist on Rema’s “Benin Boys”. It’s only fitting that for his Spotify RADAR Africa documentary, the fast-rising star headed back to where it all started: his hometown of Auchi, Edo State. “It felt emotional,” he says. “I was able to bring joy to the same place I once called home. It was a very full circle moment for me.”
“The Spotify RADAR Africa documentary serves as Shallipopi’s global introduction, capturing the essence of his journey,” Spotify said in a statement. “[He] embodies the spirit of modern Nigerian music—bold, boundary-breaking, and unifying. Through his unfiltered storytelling and magnetic presence, he continues to capture the hearts of fans worldwide.”
In its opening scene, we see Shallipopi giving context to his background as an artist, reflecting on his origins and stating that the root of his music “started from this place, but Lagos just introduced me to new sounds and a lifestyle that is different from the one I saw here every day.” Alongside his brother and close collaborator, Zerry DL, Shalli fondly thinks back to their first song together and their early days as young dreamers. In another set of scenes, he’s captured reliving past moments as a student of Auchi Polytechnic, with insights from the CEO of Dvpper Music, Damilola Akinwunmi, and music producer Busy Pluto, who speak to his tenacity and creativity as an artist.
“One of the most important things I thought about in the process was showing how respected and celebrated Shallipopi is in Edo State,” shares Ademola Falomo about his experience directing the documentary. “We found it very difficult to film a couple of scenes because when Shallipopi arrived, there were literally people driving around the place trying to see him. I thought, ‘How can one person have so much control and power?'”
The documentary closes out with behind-the-scenes footage of Shallipopi’s Wireless Festival performance, serving as a testament to the fact that his impact has transcended the borders of Edo State and upgraded his status to global artist on the rise.
“I want my journey to inspire and uplift others, especially those coming from places like Auchi where resources may be limited but talent and dreams are boundless,” Shallipopi says. “Edo State is rich with creative talent, and more gifted individuals are emerging. This wave of talent will become even more evident in the near future.”
Watch the doc in full at the midpoint.
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