Nigerian music sensation Shallipopi, born Crown Uzama, is scheduled to perform in Kigali for the first time on May 29, marking a significant milestone in his rapidly rising career.
The “Laho” hitmaker will headline Africast Fest: A Shallipopi Xperience, an event co-organised by Groove Kigali in partnership with Intore Entertainment. While anticipation continues to build, organisers have indicated that the concert venue will be announced in the coming days as final discussions with venue management are ongoing.
Released in 2025, “Laho” stands as one of Shallipopi’s most successful tracks, enjoying widespread acclaim across Nigeria and gaining international traction. The single further cemented his reputation as one of the most dynamic new voices in African music.
Shallipopi’s musical journey began in Benin City in 2016, following in the footsteps of his younger brother, Zerrydl. However, it was not until March 2023 that he achieved mainstream recognition with the viral hit “Elon Musk,” which propelled him from a relatively unknown act in Nigeria’s South-South region to national and global prominence, largely fueled by momentum on TikTok.
He quickly built on this success with the release of “Shapiru” in April 2023, a track that dominated club scenes. Although his career faced a temporary setback following an arrest in May 2023 over alleged internet fraud, the incident inadvertently heightened public attention. This period saw the release of a remix of “Elon Musk” and the track “Ex-Convict,” both of which sustained his growing influence.
Since mid-2023, Shallipopi’s ascent has been remarkable. He has performed on some of the world’s most prestigious stages, including the O2 Arena and the Stade de France. His 2024 Plutomania Tour included two sold-out shows in London, alongside a major homecoming concert at the Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub in Benin City.
His projects Presido La Pluto and Shakespopi both debuted at No.1 on Nigeria’s TurnTable Charts. Notably, Shakespopi became the first project since Davido’s Timeless to produce a chart-topping track in its debut week, with “ASAP” leading the charge.
Additionally, his collaboration “Cast” with Odumodublvck has garnered over 55 million streams on Spotify, contributing to multiple nominations and a win at the The Headies Awards 2025.
Backed by influential industry figures and a new deal with Sony Music UK, Shallipopi continues to solidify his place among Africa’s leading contemporary artists. His upcoming Kigali debut is expected to draw significant attention, further underscoring his growing continental and global appeal.