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Shallipopi announced as Apple Music’s Up Next Artist in Nigeria.
Shallipopi, an aspiring Afrobeats rapper, has been named the next featured artist in Apple Music’s Up Next artist development program in Nigeria.
Shallipopi was born and bred in Nigeria’s Benin City, Edo State, and his ascension has been nothing short of exquisite, with his raw ability and identifiable slang spawning his viral song ‘Elon Musk‘.
His hit song, “Elon Musk,” gave rise to the slang name “Pluto Boy,” which is now affectionately referred to by his followers as “Plutomanian citizens.”
“I’m honoured to have been selected as the Up Next local artist for June,” he tells Apple Music. “Thankful to Apple Music for seeing the vision, the rest of the world is about to see Shallipopi is Up Next!”
Following the release of a number of standout singles showcasing his range, such as the groove-based “Gra Gra” (2021) and the lyrically astute “Power” (2022), it was Shallipopi’s “Elon Musk” (2023) and the subsequent “Elon Musk Remix” with Nigerian superstar rapper, Zlatan, that catapulted him to enormous viral success, which was further enhanced by his alluring persona on TikTok.
Shallipopi will be on Apple Music’s Nigeria’s Up Next playlist as the newest Up Next act to be featured in Nigeria. The genre-neutral playlist features a collection of musicians that our global editors are keen to introduce to a wider audience.
As part of Apple Music’s expanding lineup of Up Next Artists from Nigeria, Shallipopi joins Winny, Pawzz, Novemba, Ogranya, Majeeed, Khaid, Ninety, Young Jonn, T.I. Blaze, Browny Pondis, Ajebo Hustlers, Jaido P, Wavy The Creator, and SGaWD.