A fiery online clash has erupted between Afrobeats singer Shallipopi and popular social media critic Daniel Regha, following a brutally negative assessment of the artist's latest musical project.
The Scathing Review That Started It All
On December 6, 2025, Daniel Regha took to his platform to dissect Shallipopi's newly released 16-track album, titled 'Auracle'. In a lengthy critique, Regha did not hold back, assigning the project a damning score of 1 out of 10.
He described the album as a shallow and directionless effort, claiming it lacked depth, creative growth, and lyrical substance. Regha went as far as to question Shallipopi's artistic credibility, stating the singer "can't be considered a real artiste, just someone who has access to a studio."
His review suggested that the project would have been more effective if condensed into a four or five-track EP. However, he made a lone concession, praising the track 'Pull Up' featuring British-Gambian rapper Pa Salieu for its good flow, crediting the featured artist for bringing the song to life.
Shallipopi's Blunt and Viral Retort
The singer's response was swift and unflinching. Rather than engage in a lengthy debate, Shallipopi fired back with a concise yet powerful message aimed directly at the critic.
His reply, "SYBAU. You know nothing about music," instantly set social media ablaze. The acronym 'SYBAU', Nigerian slang for 'Shut Your Bleeping Ass Up,' amplified the blunt nature of his clapback, drawing immediate and divided reactions from fans and observers across the internet.
Social Media Erupts With Mixed Reactions
The exchange quickly became a major talking point, with netizens flooding the comment sections to voice their opinions.
Some users rallied behind Shallipopi, applauding him for standing up to the critic. One user commented, "GBAM!!! Finally a celebrity told that fluke the truth." Another supporter added, "Pluto's dropping facts—music's his galaxy, and you're the black hole trying to critique stars."
Others offered more measured perspectives, with one fan noting, "I'm a big fan of your music... Most of the tracks don't suit you... A miss for me but I go jam am." This highlighted the subjective nature of music appreciation, even among loyal listeners.
This incident is not Shallipopi's only recent headline. Legit.ng previously reported that controversial singer Portable had called out record executive Dapper for signing Shallipopi, claiming he was not the right fit for the label and advising a focus on his career to avoid distractions.
The spat between Shallipopi and Daniel Regha underscores the intense scrutiny and passionate debates that define Nigeria's vibrant music scene, where artistic expression and public critique often collide on the digital stage.
