In the fast-moving world of Nigerian music, a family name has turned into a movement. The Uzama brothers — Shallipopi (Crown Uzama), Zerry DL (Emmanuel Uzama), and their youngest sibling Famous Pluto (Osahon Grandeur Uzama) — have become the beating heart of a new street-pop generation. From viral anthems to cultural statements, they are reshaping the sound of contemporary Nigeria while proudly carrying the banner of Benin City onto the national and global stage.
Shallipopi: The Pluto King and His Cultural Impact
When Shallipopi exploded onto the scene with his viral 2023 hit “Elon Musk”, he didn’t just give Nigeria another street anthem — he introduced a whole new energy. His delivery was playful yet audacious, laced with streetwise humor and Benin slang. What set him apart was his refusal to imitate Lagos’s Afrobeats machinery. Instead, he built his sound from the raw pulse of Benin City, packaging it for national consumption.
Musical Success
- “Elon Musk” became a breakout hit, climbing charts through TikTok virality and streaming power.
- Follow-ups like “Ex Convict”, “Obapluto”, and “Ahead Ahead” proved his staying power, landing on Apple Music and TurnTable’s top spots.
- His debut EP Planet Pluto and album Presido La Pluto cemented him as one of Nigeria’s most influential Gen Z voices.
- On stage, Shallipopi is electric. His live shows feel like a carnival — slang-heavy chants, high-energy performances, and fans mimicking his fashion and lingo.
Cultural Impact
Shallipopi’s influence stretches far beyond charts:
- Slang & Language: His coinages like “Pluto” and “Ex Convict” have become staples in Nigerian youth vocabulary.
- Street Identity: His unfiltered storytelling and real-life struggles make him relatable, especially to Nigerian youth navigating hardship.
- Style & Fashion: His streetwear aesthetics — bold, quirky, and expressive — set trends fans eagerly adopt.
- Digital Footprint: He mastered TikTok and meme culture, making his artistry inseparable from online youth identity.
Benin City’s Cultural Ambassador
Most importantly, Shallipopi has turned the spotlight toward Benin City. Long celebrated for its historical heritage, Benin is now known for producing cultural exports. Through Plutomania Records, he not only promotes his brothers but also builds a creative hub that validates Benin as a force in modern music. His relationship with Rema, another Benin superstar, only reinforces this cultural capital, signaling a city that produces both global Afrobeats icons and street-pop revolutionaries.
Shallipopi is more than an artist. He is a cultural force — the voice of Gen Z Nigeria and the street ambassador who made Benin City cool again.
Zerry DL: The Melodic Counterpoint
If Shallipopi is fire, Zerry DL is the flame’s glow. The second Uzama brother has been steadily carving his own lane with smoother, melodic interpretations of street-pop. Tracks like “Puff & Pass” and “Forever” showcase his ability to balance street grit with softer textures, appealing to a wider audience.
Zerry DL’s artistry proves that the Uzama movement isn’t a one-note affair. His growth under Plutomania Records has been strategic, and his image resonates with fans who crave a balance between high-energy anthems and reflective melodies. Together with Shallipopi, he represents the duality of Nigerian youth: bold yet introspective, gritty yet ambitious.
Famous Pluto: The Youngest Brother Steps Forward
The youngest of the trio, Famous Pluto, has already proven he’s no background act. In 2025, he dropped his debut EP Uzama The 3rd, a five-track introduction that announced his arrival with confidence.
- Lead Single: “Na Scra” built significant traction on Apple Music and TurnTable charts, powered by social media virality.
- Family Collaboration: The standout track “Ewo” — featuring Shallipopi and Zerry DL — became a viral anthem, racking up streams and YouTube views while positioning Famous Pluto as a serious contender.
- Cultural Reception: His storytelling style, blending street narratives with amapiano and Afrobeats flavors, resonated with young fans eager to see how the youngest Uzama would carry the family torch.
Famous Pluto’s early success shows that Plutomania is more than a vanity label. It’s an incubator for real talent — a testament to the Uzamas’ ability to turn family into a movement.
The Uzama Effect: More Than Music
Together, the Uzama brothers are not just making music; they’re reshaping culture. Their influence manifests in multiple layers:
- Youth Representation: They embody the struggles, humor, and ambitions of Nigeria’s Gen Z.
- Cultural Promotion: By constantly repping Benin City, they’ve redefined it as a cultural hub rather than just a historical one.
- Language & Lifestyle: Their slang, fashion, and online antics bleed into everyday Nigerian youth culture.
- Family Legacy: As a trio, they show how family can amplify individual talent into collective dominance.
Conclusion: A Movement Rooted in Benin
The Uzama brothers represent more than individual artistry — they symbolize a cultural revolution. Shallipopi, with his fearless creativity, Zerry DL with his melodic balance, and Famous Pluto with his promising debut, form a trinity that’s hard to ignore.
With Rema as their ally and fellow Benin ambassador, the Uzamas are proving that Benin City is not just a historical treasure — it is the new cultural powerhouse of Nigerian music.
This is more than a family story. It’s the story of a city rising, a culture redefining itself, and a generation finding its voice through music.