Crown Uzama, alias Shallipopi, a popular musician, has commended his colleague Divine Ikubor, also known as Rema, for inspiring him and other young artists in Edo State to trust in their abilities.
In a recent interview with The Zero Conditions podcast, the Benin-born singer discussed how Rema, the ‘Calm Down’ crooner, acted as a light of hope for Benin artists.
Shallipopi stated that prior to Rema’s success, there was a lack of confidence among Benin artists, with many feeling that musical celebrity could only be attained by those in Lagos and Abuja.
He stated, “Benin as a place, none of us get hope to blow. We just leave am for the squad wey dey do am, the Lagos and Abuja people. We dey see everything, but we no get that hope to say we go dey that spotlight.
Rema’s rise to fame began with the popularity of his freestyle videos on social media, which piqued D’Prince’s interest, leading to his contract with Mavin Records.
Rema’s journey from posting freestyle videos to reaching new heights in the music industry, according to Shallipopi, brought hope to aspiring artists in Benin, demonstrating that they, too, could make it in the music industry.
“Na when Rema come, wey D’Pince pick Rema, an when we come sey hope dey. If Rema cross over, we go fit cross over,” said Shallipopi.
‘Na Rema give all of us for Benin the hope say we sef fit blow’
– Shallipopi
Full episode available here https://t.co/xKmIr4GV7R pic.twitter.com/7i3XYQeZVf
— Zero Conditions Podcast (@ZeroConditions_) November 20, 2023
He stated that Rema’s trip from Benin to Lagos inspired musicians in Benin, indicating that success was not restricted by physical location.
“We go cross over, Rema go Lagos, we dey watch am, we be day one fans. Before e blow, all of us dey watch am, we don be one number one fans since. we dey watch Rema wey dey do freestyle before he drop EP,” he said.
“Na Rema give us hope sey, we for Benin, we go actually make am and dem fit pick us from freestyle.”
Shallipopi, who rose to prominence with the release of “Obapluto” in 2023, has signed with Dvpper Music Distribution, a Nigerian music record distribution company.
Shallipopi, who was internationally praised for his 2023 hit single “Elon Musk,” reached the pinnacle by topping the Nigeria Top 100 Apple Music chart.
Shallipopi’s musical career took off when he started making freestyles and distributing them on TikTok and other social media platforms. His career took off after the publication of the standout track “Elon Musk.”
