Text Ezra Olaoya

There’s never been a shortage of Afrobeats superstars, but over the last few years we’ve seen artists from West Africa take the global stage by storm. One of the latest musicians vying for a place in this hallowed pantheon is Benin City’s Crown Uzama, better known as Shallipopi – the self-proclaimed Pluto Presido – whose esoteric delivery and playfully pithy lyricism has captivated listeners across the world.

He first burst onto the scene in early 2023 with his single “Elon Musk” which demonstrated his captivating beat selection, emphatic delivery and countless caption worthy bars. Despite a run-in with the authorities in Nigeria following the success of the breakout single on account of internet-related fraud, Shallipopi’s star continued to rise as anticipation for his next releases grew stronger.

Shallipopi’s debut project Planet Pluto and second offering Presido La Pluto both pulled listeners into his orbit through compelling storytelling, and 2024’s Shakespopi sees this pattern continue. While this time the focus has shifted to Shallipopi’s proficiency as a pensman, the overall motive to make you move your body and engage your mind remains constant. We caught up with Shallipopi to get an insight into his unique approach to his craft, his role as an artist and what’s lurking on his camera roll.

People often say there is a unique energy that comes from your native Benin City. Can you describe that to me and explain how growing up there influenced you as a person and an artist?

Shallipopi: The energy that comes from Benin City is hustle-minded energy. We want to make it, we don’t want to get left behind. We want to chase the bag. That’s why we keep going, that’s the type of energy that we get from home. It has impacted my music a lot, in the sense that everything I’m saying comes from home. My language, my accent, it’s all from home.

Over the past year or so, your tracks have been a fixture on dancefloors. What settings do you imagine your music being listened to when you’re putting tracks together?

Shallipopi: It depends on what I want to talk about. If what I’m talking about requires an amapiano beat, I’ll use an amapiano beat. If it requires a trap beat, I’ll use a trap beat. If it requires a slower beat, I have to use a slower beat. It depends on what I want to talk about in the song.

The instrumentals of your tracks always add another dimension to your lyrics and delivery. What is the process of your beat selection?

Shallipopi: When it comes to my instrumentals I sit down with my producer and structure it. Nobody has really given it a name because they don’t know what category to put it in. I sit down in the studio and craft it with the producer.

Shallipopi
Photography Qxtra

Can you describe the process of finding your sound, as well as your voice as a musician?

Shallipopi: The thing about me is that I’m very free with experimenting. You can play any type of beat and I will try it – if my voice isn’t good I’ll try something else. If it goes, it goes. When I’m on the mic I’m just myself and talk my truth.

Do you tend to write your lyrics, or do you go straight from the dome?

Shallipopi: Depends on the vibe. I write very fast and I’m used to it now, so I can write in my head. It’s not very hard to record.

You put a lot of thought into worldbuilding with your projects – why?

Shallipopi: Honestly, I don’t know. It just comes. Everything is just inspiration, I can say anything on the mic. Shakespopi was about me being a writer while people were doubting me. They’re calling my art poetry, and they won’t use it to laugh at me. I want to claim it.

You allude to the strength of your pen in ‘ASAP’ when you say, ‘Na Shalli dey write but na Shakespeare dey shake, I’m the greatest philosopher there’s no time for debate’. Do you think people receive the messages you’re trying to convey with your music?

Shallipopi: A lot of people. Just look at Twitter [X], or real life. A lot of people are getting it. Some people don’t interpret things the way you meant it when you said it, but that perspective is still valid.

“I’m very free with experimenting. You can play any type of beat and I will try it” – Shallipopi

What for you is the key difference between Shakespopi and Presido la Pluto?

Shallipopi: The difference between Shakespopi, Presido La Pluto and Planet Pluto is growth. You can’t feed fans only rice, sometimes you have to feed them something else. You have to feed them beans. You have to try new sounds. So as I grow, I like to test new waters.

In light of recent protests in Nigeria, do you feel you have a responsibility to use your platform as an artist to comment on governance and issues people are facing?

Shallipopi: When it comes to these things it’s important to remember that us artists are citizens too and citizens have the right to peaceful protests. Artists are different from activists, but everyone has the right to peaceful protest. Shout out to everyone protesting – I will protest for a better country too.

Please share the most recent note from your Notes app.

Shallipopi: I don’t use that part of my phone, it shows no notes.

The most recent picture or screenshot on your camera roll?

Shallipopi: It’s a screenshot of my Instagram account.

The last meme you saved?

Shallipopi:

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Osita Iheme