Shallipopi: Amapiano brings food to table more than rap

Nigerian rapper and singer Shallipopi has revealed he switched from rap to Amapiano for financial reasons, claiming the genre "bring food to the table." In a recent Afrobeats Intelligence podcast episode, the 'Cast' hitmaker explained he was originally a "trap star" but embraced Amapiano due to better earnings potential.

Shallipopi said rap was his "first love" but struggled financially partly due to Nigerian music fans' orientation and lack of support. This explains why he rejected the Headies award for Best Rap Song won by his song 'Cast' last year, saying organizers attempted to "box him as just a rapper" rather than acknowledging his versatility in both singing and rapping categories.

The artist emphasized his commitment to Amapiano, stating "I will drag it with them" as he continues to pursue the more lucrative genre. His revelation highlights the economic realities driving artists' genre choices in Nigeria's competitive music industry.

Will you support artists who switch genres for financial sustainability, or does artistic purity matter more than commercial viability in music?

SOURCE: https://dailypost.ng/2026/05/09/amapiano-more-lucrative-than-rap-shallipopi-claims/