Since his explosive breakthrough in 2023 with the hit single “Elon Musk,” Shallipopi has become one of the most exciting and fast-rising stars in Nigerian music. That same year, he wasn’t just making waves as an artist — he took a bold step by launching his own imprint, Plutomania Records, and dropping a major debut album, Presido La Pluto. A few months later, he followed up with a second project, Shakespopi.
With each release, Shallipopi continues to solidify his reputation as a boundary-pushing force in Afrobeats and street-pop. His debut album, Presido La Pluto, debuted at No. 1 on the Official Top 100 Albums chart and gave rise to the 2023 Detty December anthem, “Cast”, featuring ODUMODUBLVCK. His sophomore album, Shakespopi, also debuted at No. 1 and, just like his first project, spawned another No. 1 hit — this time, the solo release “ASAP.”
Since then, Shallipopi has scored two more No. 1 hits as a featured artist, further cementing his superstar status. These include “JUJU” with Smur Lee & ODUMODUBLVCK, and “BENIN BOYS” with Rema.
His first release of 2025, “Laho,” debuted at No. 7, peaked at No. 4, and has since earned over 20 million on-demand streams in Nigeria. However, it is beyond Nigeria’s borders that “Laho” has truly made an impact. The track has peaked in the top ten of the official singles chart in South Africa and has also reached the top ten on both the United States and United Kingdom’s Afrobeats genre charts. All this is even more impressive considering this is Shallipopi’s first official release since the acrimonious split with Dapper Music & Entertainment.
In this exclusive conversation with TurnTable, Shallipopi’s manager, Ajayi-AbdulHafeez Ezekiel, opens up about his long-standing relationship with the artist, the vision driving Plutomania Records, and the momentum behind one of the most talked-about rises in modern Nigerian music.
TTC: Hello, Ezekiel. Let’s start with an introduction. Who is Ezekiel beyond the music business?
EZEKIEL: Honestly, outside of music, I’m just a regular guy who loves video games and is always looking to learn something new every day.
TTC: You’ve carved out a space for yourself in music management and business. What inspired this path, and how has the journey shaped your view of the industry?
EZEKIEL: The idea that it couldn’t be done — that we couldn’t do it — actually pushed me even harder. That mindset fueled my drive toward success.
TTC: Shallipopi is one of the most exciting names in the scene right now. Can you walk us through how you met him and how your partnership as his manager came about?
EZEKIEL: Our relationship goes back over 15 years — we met in school in Benin City. It felt completely natural to step into the role of his manager because we dreamed of this journey together. It wasn’t something random; it was something we planted and nurtured side by side.
TTC: Plutomania Records has gained fast recognition. What was the original vision for the label, and what strategies have helped it stand out?
EZEKIEL: Right now, Plutomania is focused on working with what I call special genre artists — talents with a unique sound and vision. The full vision hasn’t been realized yet, but the long-term goal is to put these kinds of artists on the global map.
TTC: How would you describe Shallipopi’s growth as an artist over the years?
EZEKIEL: Honestly, it’s been nothing short of divine. I never imagined it would take off like this, but here we are — the dream has grown even bigger, and by God’s grace, the momentum hasn’t slowed down.
TTC: There’s been talk of an upcoming world tour. Can you share anything about what fans can expect?
EZEKIEL: Haha, nothing I can share just yet. But one thing I’ll say — watch out for the album!
TTC: Looking ahead, what are your long-term goals in the music industry? Where do you see yourself and Plutomania in five years?
EZEKIEL: To be honest, I believe the next five years will bring something no one’s ever seen before. Just look at what we’ve done in under two years — the gap speaks for itself. We're only just getting started.
TTC: The music industry is evolving at a rapid pace. What’s one piece of advice you’d give to young creatives and professionals hoping to break in?
EZEKIEL: Be consistent. That’s it. Even when it doesn’t make sense — keep showing up. One day, it’ll all come together.