About the Album
Shakespopi is the second studio album from Nigerian singer Shallipopi, released on April 11, 2024. The nine-track project followed his 2023 debut album, Presido La Pluto, and continued the distinctive musical identity that had made him one of the most recognisable names in Nigeria’s street-pop scene.
The album takes its title from an internet joke comparing Shallipopi’s unconventional songwriting style with that of William Shakespeare. Rather than avoiding the joke, the artist embraces it as part of his personality, using Shakespopi to build an eccentric world around his music, humour and growing confidence.
Across the project, Shallipopi moves between celebration, ambition, relationships, personal growth and reflections on his rapid rise. The album contains nine tracks, including “ASAP,” “High Tension,” “100,” “Dey,” “Billion,” “Find Me,” “New Cat,” “Start Am” and “Trees.”
The Sound
Shakespopi is built around Shallipopi’s distinctive blend of Afrobeats, Amapiano, hip-hop and Nigerian street-pop. Its production combines log drums and dance-oriented rhythms with elements of traditional Nigerian music, creating a sound that remains strongly connected to the artist’s Benin roots.
One of the album’s notable characteristics is its use of cultural references. “ASAP” incorporates material associated with Edo musical legend Waziri Oshomah, allowing Shallipopi to place a contemporary street-pop record alongside an important part of Edo’s musical heritage.
The production is handled largely by Producer X and larrylanes, with additional contributions from other producers. This gives the project some variation while maintaining the rhythmic foundation associated with Shallipopi’s music.
What the Album Is About
A major theme running through Shakespopi is the experience of achieving success after coming from a difficult background. Shallipopi frequently presents himself as someone who has moved from uncertainty into a more comfortable and influential position, while maintaining the street identity that shaped his early music.
Tracks such as “Dey” offer a more reflective look at his journey, while “Find Me” and “New Cat” lean into the confidence that comes with his growing profile. “Billion” expands the celebration through appearances from Zerrydl, Reehaa, Tega Boi DC and Jeneral, adding different voices from the Plutomania circle.
The project also shows Shallipopi experimenting with his established formula. Traditional sounds, playful wordplay, Amapiano rhythms and street expressions are placed alongside moments that reveal the pressure and expectations attached to his rapid rise.
Rather than presenting a conventional narrative from beginning to end, Shakespopi works as a collection of different moods connected by Shallipopi’s personality. Its humour, cultural references and energetic production make the project recognisably his, while tracks such as “Dey” and “Trees” provide glimpses of a more reflective side of the artist.
Listen on Hitzeer
Listen to Shakespopi by Shallipopi on Hitzeer and explore the full project, including “ASAP,” “High Tension,” “100,” “Dey,” “Billion,” “Find Me,” “New Cat,” “Start Am” and “Trees.” Discover more Afrobeats, Amapiano, street-pop and contemporary Nigerian music from Shallipopi and other artists on Hitzeer.
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