Rising Nigerian musician Crown Uzama, professionally known as Shallipopi, recently shared the fascinating story behind his stage name. In an interview with British media personality Madame Joyce on Thursday, February 8, 2024, Uzama revealed that his stage name was inspired by the 1994 Chinese kung fu comedy film, “Shaolin Popey.”
Reflecting on his quest for the perfect stage name, Uzama mentioned that he tried out various options, including his birth name “Crown” and nicknames like ‘Drip Face,’ before ultimately settling on one that resonated deeply with him.
The “Elon Musk” hitmaker fondly recalled how he stumbled upon the film as a child when his mother mistakenly purchased what they thought was a Tom and Jerry CD. However, upon playing it, they discovered it was the movie “Shaolin Popey,” which left a lasting impact on Uzama.
In his words, he said, “I was looking for name. I needed a name and I checked this one and checked that one, it didn’t work. I even tried my own name. But if I tell people my government name, they won’t feel it like that. My name is Crown, so I needed another name. I used to go by Drip Face, and I used to change my names anyhow, so I had many names.”
“When we were little, we had this DVD that our parents bought for us. Back then, there were some cassettes that when you bought it, you wouldn’t see the movie on the case. You’d see a different movie inside. There was one that my mother bought, it was a cartoon, but when we played it, it was a different movie called Shaolin Popey. It was an old Korean or Karate, Kung Fu movie,”
Inspired by the lasting impression the film left on his childhood and his aspiration for a distinct stage persona, Uzama skillfully blended elements from “Shaolin Popey” to craft “Shallipopi,” a name that has become an integral part of his musical identity.
This revelation provides a glimpse into the origins of his stage persona, underscoring the intricate interplay between personal experiences and cultural influences in shaping his artistic identity.
Check out the video below.