Rihanna LOSES IT to Shallipopi’s “Laho” and We Can Smell a Global Takeover

Rihanna’s Unscripted “Laho” Frenzy Is the Coronation Nobody Saw Coming

It took less than twelve hours for 2026 to deliver its first defining cultural moment.

While much of the world was still recovering from New Year’s Eve crossovers, a short, unfiltered video of Rihanna aboard a yacht in Barbados quietly redirected the global music conversation back to Nigeria. In the now-viral clip, the Fenty billionaire is seen fully immersed in Shallipopi’s hit single “Laho”, mouthing the lyrics with precision and moving effortlessly to its mid-tempo groove as the Barbadian sunset frames the scene.

What began as a private moment between friends quickly became a digital wildfire.

A Stamp That Changes Everything

By all measurable standards, “Laho” was already a monster record in 2025. However, Rihanna’s visible approval functioned as something far more consequential than a casual repost. It was a cultural stamp an unspoken endorsement from one of pop music’s most influential tastemakers.

This was not a performance, a brand activation, or a calculated marketing move. It was instinctive. Caribbean royalty connecting organically with West African street-pop. In that moment, any lingering doubt about Nigerian music’s position as a global default soundtrack was effectively erased.

For Shallipopi, the moment represented the highest form of validation for his Plutomania movement.

Authenticity Over Campaigns

The setting mattered. Rihanna was not on a stage or at a curated industry event. She was on holiday—relaxed, surrounded by friends and family responding naturally to a Nigerian record that clearly resonated with her.

Fans immediately recognized the authenticity.

Within minutes of the video surfacing on X (formerly Twitter), timelines exploded. Users dissected every second: her wide grin, her energy, the way she confidently mouthed “Laho” word-for-word. One fan wrote, “This is the most exciting thing I’ve seen all year.” Another added, “She no go vibe to the song ke?”

In an internet culture oversaturated with forced virality, moments like this land louder than any promotional rollout. Less than 24 hours after the clip surfaced, it had surpassed 660,700 views, with engagement continuing to climb. There was no debate only collective feeling.

Shallipopi’s Perfect Response

Shallipopi himself responded with equal precision.

Quoting the original clip on X, the Plutomania President wrote simply: “Get it queen.” No overstatement. No theatrics. Just respect.

It was a perfectly calibrated flex cool, grateful, and quietly triumphant. A nod from a rising king to an eternal queen, further amplifying the moment without overshadowing it.

The Journey of “Laho”

“Laho”, meaning “please” or a hustler’s desperate plea in Edo slang, was released in March 2025 under turbulent circumstances. A messy label split threatened to bury the record before it could breathe.

Instead, Shallipopi born Crown Uzama reclaimed control. He re-released the track independently through Plutomania Records in partnership with Since ’93, transforming adversity into momentum.

The results were undeniable:

• Top 10 on Billboard’s U.S. Afrobeats Songs Chart

• Second most-streamed Nigerian song of 2025 on YouTube Music

• Over 90 million streams

• Endless TikTok challenges and viral moments

History took care of the rest.

Rihanna’s Longstanding Afrobeats Influence

Rihanna’s co-sign has historically acted as a powerful catalyst for Afrobeats’ global crossover.

• May 2019: She shared Wizkid’s “Ojuelegba” on Instagram, a pivotal moment during Afrobeats’ second international wave.

• September 2019: Videos surfaced of her singing and dancing passionately to Burna Boy’s “Ye,” reinforcing his growing Western dominance.

• December 2023: She named Davido’s “Unavailable” her favorite song of the year and participated repeatedly in its viral dance challenge, including at Fenty events.

• 2024: Rihanna publicly praised Davido as one of her favorite African artists and expressed admiration for Ayra Starr, even meeting the singer to discuss potential collaboration.

• Her deepest musical connection remains “Lift Me Up,” the Oscar-nominated ballad co-written and performed with Tems, whom she has consistently praised for her pen and artistry.

Against this backdrop, her “Laho” moment feels less like an anomaly and more like a continuation of a long-standing cultural alignment.

The Power of the Remixes

“Laho” did not conquer the world alone. The remixes carried the weight.

In April 2025, Burna Boy joined Laho II, injecting grit and commercial gravity into the record. His delivery fused seamlessly with Shallipopi’s sharp Pidgin swagger. Live performances sent arenas into chaos, streams surged overnight, and social media timelines reignited.

Later, a remix featuring Ozuna unlocked an entirely new frontier. Spanish hooks, reggaeton bounce, and bilingual flows pushed “Laho” deep into Latin markets. From Miami to Madrid, clubs ran it on repeat. TikTok remixes flooded feeds, and millions of new listeners poured in.

These remixes did not merely extend the song’s lifespan they globalised it.

A Global Blueprint Without Compromise

Shallipopi’s rise was not accidental. From Benin City freestyles to independent ownership of “Laho”, from arena-shaking collaborations with Burna Boy to cross-continental remixes with Ozuna, every move reflected instinct, timing, and confidence.

Rihanna vibing to “Laho” on a yacht was not the beginning of the story it was the coronation.

The song has become more than a hit. It stands as proof that Nigerian artists can command the world stage without dilution, merging street-rooted authenticity with global strategy on their own terms.