Shallipopi named TikTok’s 2025 Artiste of the Year

Afrobeats singer Crown Uzama, popularly known as Shallipopi, has been named TikTok’s 2025 Artiste of the Year.

Shallipopi emerged winner at the TikTok Awards for Sub-Saharan Africa held in Johannesburg, South Africa.

TikTok, in a statement on Monday, said Shallipopi’s hit track, “Laho”, dominated charts and fuelled viral trends across the continent.

The platform described the song as a cultural reset that sent shockwaves across the organisation’s ‘For You Feeds’, and powered viral challenges that spread far beyond Nigeria’s borders.

The artiste’s win highlighted a remarkable night for Nigeria at the TikTok Awards Sub-Saharan Africa, where Nigerian creators won six out of the 10 awards.

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Other Nigerian winners at the award included Brian Nwana as Storyteller of the Year; Belove Olocha as Entertainment Creator of the Year; and Raja’atu Ibrahim as Creator of the Year.

Izzi Boye was named the Education Creator of the Year, while Degoke Ogunbiyi emerged as Social Impact Creator of the Year.

TikTok’s Head of Content Operations for Sub-Saharan Africa, Boniswa Sidwaba, said Nigeria’s dominance at the ceremony reflects the strength of the country’s creative ecosystem.

“With Nigerian creators securing six of the 10 awards, we are honoured to celebrate their impact, especially as these victories were voted for by the TikTok community, who continue to champion the stories shaping culture,” Sidwaba said.

The Star