In locker rooms from Indianapolis to Manchester United, one unlikely Nigerian artist is becoming the unexpected hype man for elite athletes: Shallipopi. His music, a vibrant, slang-heavy blend he dubs “Afro Pluto” — isn’t just dominating playlists. It’s becoming ritual.
From NBA courts to Premier League tunnels, athletes are tuning into the sounds of Crown Uzama, aka Shallipopi, for more than just entertainment. They’re finding energy, swagger, and a certain don’t-care confidence, the kind you need to survive under bright lights and mounting pressure.
When Indiana Pacers’ forward Pascal Siakam picked Shallipopi’s breakout single “Laho” for his team’s three-point celebration, it wasn’t just about the viral dance. “It’s a vibe,” Siakam told ESPN. “I play it in the locker room, and it just gets everybody moving.” The finger-pointing, foot-shuffling choreography quickly became a team-wide ritual, spreading across the NBA like wildfire.
That’s the thing about Shallipopi. His songs move with the urgency of sport that is driven by rhythm, coded lingo, and a street-smart philosophy athletes relate to. “Laho,” which means please in Bini, is part flex, part prayer. And that duality resonates: the hustle, the aspiration, and the unshakable belief that winning is not just a goal. it’s a mindset.
Born into the prestigious Uzama family in Benin City (traditional kingmakers in the Edo Kingdom) Shallipopi carries himself with an inherited sense of dominance. But instead of a throne, he’s claimed Pluto, the ex-planet, as his kingdom. “Pluto Presido,” he calls himself, and his fans are the “Plutomanians.” It’s audacious. And athletes love audacity.
Shallipopi’s rise has been meteoric. From the streets of Benin to world stages, he’s turning heads and turning up pre-game rituals. Rúben Dias of Manchester City dropped “Laho” on his Instagram after securing a ticket to the FA Cup final. Liverpool’s Harvey Elliott, in the euphoria of winning the Premier League, quoted a Shallipopi lyric, “Minister of Enjoyment”, to caption his celebration post.
What’s behind this crossover from club banger to global sports anthem? Part of it is Shallipopi’s cadence which is more talking than singing . This style mirrors the locker-room banter athletes know so well. Another part is the infectious amapiano bounce beneath his flows, which ignites movement. But perhaps the secret sauce is his message: get money, stay unbothered, enjoy life.
In a high-pressure world where performance is everything, Shallipopi offers release. A musical exhale. A reminder that swagger is as important as strategy. His songs don’t preach; they pulse. They speak athlete — fast, coded, rhythmic, defiant.
And the business end? Shallipopi’s “Laho” peaked at No. 5 on the U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart with over 11.5 million streams. A second version featuring Burna Boy added even more heat. He’s worked with Rema, ODUMODUBLVCK, Olamide — names that ring out in every Afrobeats conversation. The next logical step? More global sports tie-ins, maybe even brand deals with clubs or leagues.
For now, Shallipopi remains a cultural engine. The guy who made Pluto cool again. The street-poet of Edo Kingdom who now soundtracks locker rooms across continents. He may not be dribbling or defending, but make no mistake, he’s a player in the global game.
