Nigerian Afrobeats sensation Crown Uzama, widely known as Shallipopi, has been crowned 2025 TikTok Artiste of the Year, marking a major milestone for the country’s growing influence in global digital culture.
The announcement was made in a statement issued by TikTok on Monday in Lagos, highlighting the musician’s dominance at the TikTok Awards for Sub-Saharan Africa, held in Johannesburg, South Africa, under the theme “New Era, New Icons.”
Shallipopi’s chart-topping hit, “Laho,” emerged as one of the most impactful songs on the platform in 2025.
TikTok described the track as a cultural reset that reverberated across millions of For You Feeds, inspiring viral trends and challenges that swept across African borders.
The song’s widespread appeal earned the artist one of the biggest honours of the night and cemented his influence on short-form music culture.
Nigeria delivered an outstanding performance at the award ceremony, clinching six of the ten available awards, the highest for any country. The achievement underscored the nation’s expanding footprint in digital creativity and African pop culture.
Other Nigerian winners include:
- Brian Nwana (@briannwana) – Storyteller of the Year
- Belove Olocha (@beloveolocha) – Entertainment Creator of the Year
- Raja’atu Ibrahim (@diaryofanortherncook) – Creator of the Year
- Izzi Boye (@izziboye) – Education Creator of the Year
- Degoke Ogunbiyi (@noositiwantiwa_) – Social Impact Creator of the Year
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Boniswa Sidwaba, TikTok’s Head of Content Operations for Sub-Saharan Africa, said Nigeria’s dominance reflects the depth and strength of its creative ecosystem.
She emphasised that the awards, determined by votes from the TikTok community, showed how creators are shaping conversations and influencing culture across the continent.
Sidwaba added that Nigerian creators—ranging from entertainers and food storytellers to educators and social advocates—are using short-form video to amplify local culture for global audiences.
Their content continues to steer conversations on African identity through language, music, cuisine and community-driven storytelling.
Winners at the event expressed gratitude for the platform and the opportunities it provides. Storyteller of the Year, Brian Nwana, highlighted the collective power of creators, saying every creator plays a role in shaping perceptions and telling stories that elevate communities and nations.
Audiences across Africa will be able to relive the ceremony, including Shallipopi’s acceptance moment, on TikTok Live on Dec. 11 at 19:00 WAT.
NAN
