In an interview, Nigerian artist Shallipopi disclosed that his efforts to connect with well-known musicians were largely overlooked until he achieved fame. During a candid and relatable discussion, he mentioned that he frequently reached out to his favorite celebrities, but his messages went unanswered—a situation he believes many emerging artists face.
He acknowledged that he never took it personally, recognizing that these artists were simply busy and unaware of him at the time. “They don’t know you,” he explained. “It’s not personal—they have their own lives and careers. If you’re not well-known, it’s natural for them not to respond. But once you make a name for yourself, that’s when people start reaching out to you.”
He specifically cited singer Rema as an example, detailing how their eventual collaboration on the track “Benin Boys” occurred only after his music began to gain popularity. “For ‘Benin Boys,’ I reached out to Rema first as the up-and-coming artist while he was already established,” Shallipopi shared. “When my music started to attract attention, Rema finally noticed and responded, encouraging me to keep pushing. We eventually connected in the studio, and that’s how ‘Benin Boys’ was born.”
His advice for others in similar situations is to keep striving, as recognition often comes with persistence and success.
