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Nigerian music star Shallipopi has opened up about the reason behind his transition from rap music to Amapiano, revealing that financial realities pushed him to embrace the sound that eventually brought him mainstream success.
The “Elon Musk” crooner made the revelation during a recent episode of the Afrobeats Intelligence podcast, where he reflected on his musical journey, career choices, and the challenges of surviving as a rapper in Nigeria’s entertainment industry.
According to the Benin-born artiste, rap music was his original passion before he switched to the genre-blending Amapiano style that has now become closely associated with his brand.
“I have been rapping for a while. I am a trap star. They made me do Amapiano. It is Amapiano that bring food to the table, so we will do it. I will drag it with them,” he said during the interview.
Shallipopi explained that although he still has deep love for rap music, the genre did not provide the level of commercial success he desired, especially within the Nigerian music market.
The singer noted that audience preferences and industry trends heavily influence the type of music artistes eventually choose to focus on, stressing that survival sometimes requires adapting to what listeners consume the most.
Before his rise to fame, Shallipopi spent years experimenting with rap and trap-inspired sounds while trying to build a name for himself in the competitive music industry. However, his breakthrough eventually came after he leaned into street-inspired Amapiano-infused music that resonated strongly with young listeners.
His viral hit “Elon Musk” became one of the songs that pushed him into the spotlight, earning him widespread recognition across social media and streaming platforms. Since then, the singer has remained one of the most talked-about acts in Nigeria’s fast-growing Afrobeats scene.
During the podcast conversation, Shallipopi also addressed the controversy surrounding his rejection of the Headies award for Best Rap Song, which his song “Cast” won last year.
The artiste stated that he rejected the award because he felt uncomfortable being placed strictly in the rap category.
According to him, his artistry goes beyond rap, and he believes he should be recognised as a versatile musician capable of excelling in multiple genres.
Shallipopi suggested that limiting him to rap alone does not fully represent the kind of music he creates today.
The singer maintained that while rap remains an important part of his identity, his current sound combines several influences, including Afrobeats, street music, and Amapiano.
His comments have since sparked conversations online, with many fans debating whether commercial success often forces musicians to abandon their original artistic direction.
Some social media users agreed with Shallipopi’s position, arguing that artistes must evolve with changing trends to remain relevant and financially stable. Others, however, expressed concern that talented rappers are increasingly moving away from lyric-driven music because of limited support for the genre in Nigeria.
Over the past few years, Amapiano has grown into one of the dominant sounds in African music, influencing numerous Nigerian artistes who now blend the South African genre with Afrobeats and street-hop elements.
For Shallipopi, the decision appears to have paid off commercially, as he continues to enjoy massive streaming numbers, sold-out performances, and a growing fan base both locally and internationally.
Despite his success in Amapiano, the singer insists that rap remains close to his heart and hinted that fans may still hear more rap-inspired material from him in the future.
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