Nigerian artiste Shallipopi has opened up about his decision to move away from rap music and embrace Amapiano.
Speaking during a recent episode of the Afrobeats Intelligence podcast, the ‘Elon Musk’ crooner said he began his music career as a rapper but later changed direction because Amapiano was more financially rewarding.
“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. I will drag it with them,” he said.
The singer explained that rap remains his “first love,” but making money from the genre in Nigeria proved difficult due to limited support and audience preferences.
Shallipopi also addressed his decision to reject the Headies award for Best Rap Song, which his hit track Cast won last year.
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According to him, he turned down the award because he felt the organisers were trying to define him strictly as a rapper.
Prompt News reports he argued that he deserved recognition in both rap and singing categories rather than being confined to one genre.

