Shallipopi Amapiano switch was driven by financial gains, the Nigerian singer reveals on a podcast interview

Shallipopi has revealed that financial considerations influenced his transition from rap music to Amapiano.

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The Nigerian rapper and singer, whose real name is Crown Uzama, made the disclosure while speaking on the Afrobeats Intelligence podcast.

According to the 26-year-old artiste, rap music was his original passion and the genre that first drew him into the entertainment industry, but Amapiano eventually became more rewarding financially.

Speaking on the Shallipopi Amapiano switch, the singer said the genre now provides the income that sustains his music career.

“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,” he said.

Shallipopi also linked the career shift to his decision to reject the Headies Awards prize for Best Rap Song.

The artiste explained that he felt the organisers were attempting to restrict his identity to rap music alone despite his broader musical direction.

The candid remarks have sparked reactions among fans and music enthusiasts, especially as Amapiano continues to dominate the African music scene and influence mainstream Nigerian pop culture.

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Shallipopi has built a strong following with his energetic fusion of street-hop, Afrobeats and Amapiano-inspired sounds, helping establish him as one of the notable voices among Nigeria’s new-generation artistes.