In the highly competitive world of Afrobeats, achieving success as a solo artist is challenging enough, but witnessing three brothers from the same family excel simultaneously is virtually unheard of. Yet this is exactly what the Uzama brothers—Shallipopi, Zerry DL, and Famous Pluto—have accomplished, creating waves across Nigeria's music industry.
The Migwos of Nigerian Music
Nigerian music fans have affectionately dubbed the trio 'The Migwos', a clever local derivation inspired by American hip-hop group The Migos and infused with Urhobo language elements from South-South Nigeria. What began as a humorous, somewhat pejorative description has now been embraced by the brothers themselves, particularly Shallipopi, who recently celebrated their collective success on social media platform X.
The eldest Uzama brother didn't just acknowledge their achievement—he boldly took credit for paving the way and challenged others to replicate this rare family success story in Afrobeats.
Shallipopi: The Trailblazing Pluto Presido
Shallipopi's breakthrough came in 2023 with the release of his debut EP 'Planet Pluto' under Dapper Music. The 25-year-old artist introduced a fresh sound that blended Amapiano rhythms with his distinctive Benin City-inspired street flows, quickly capturing the attention of music lovers nationwide.
His hit tracks including 'Obapluto', 'Elon Musk', 'Ex-Convict', and 'Shapiru' resonated deeply with urban listeners, particularly those from the South-South and South-West regions who connected with his authentic portrayal of street life and hustle culture. His speech-like flow and defiant counter-culture messaging drew comparisons to era-shaping rapper Naira Marley.
The artist maintained his momentum with the November 2023 release of his debut album 'Presido La Pluto', which featured the viral hit 'Cast' with Odumodublvck. Just five months later, he dropped another project titled 'Shakespopi', featuring the standout track 'Billions' that spotlighted his protégés.
Plutomania Records: The Family Platform
Recognizing his rising influence, Shallipopi took a strategic step in October 2023 by launching his own imprint, Plutomania Records, under Dapper Music. The label specifically aimed to support emerging artists from his region, and his first signees included brother Zerrydl and rapper Tega Boi DC.
Zerrydl made an immediate impact by collaborating with his older brother on the explosive track 'Puff Puff Pass' before releasing his debut EP 'Danger Zee' in December 2023. He consolidated his mainstream presence six months later with his second EP 'Wara Wara SZN'.
The younger Uzama brother scored one of 2024's biggest hits when he featured on Kvng Vinci's 'Hausapiano', delivering fiery verses that helped him clinch the Rookie of the Year prize at the 17th Headies Awards.
Famous Pluto Completes the Trio
The Uzama family musical dynasty expanded further with the emergence of youngest brother Famous Pluto. After a cameo appearance on Outsyd DJ's 'Feel The Mood' in October 2024, he made his grand entrance into the Nigerian mainstream in March 2025 with his thundering debut single 'Na Scra'.
His debut EP 'Uzama The Third' demonstrated that the family's musical talent runs deep, featuring the same street-inspired lingo and party-starting production that characterized his brothers' work. The project included the smash hit 'Ewo', which marked the first-ever collaboration featuring all three Uzama brothers, offering fans a tantalizing glimpse of what a joint project might sound like.
A New Chapter in Nigerian Music History
The rise of The Uzamas represents a significant development in Afrobeats, joining the legacy of iconic Nigerian groups like The Remedies, The Trybesmen, The Plantashun Boiz, Styl Plus, Mo'Hits Crew, and Cho Boiz.
In an industry where praise is often sparingly given, Shallipopi deserves recognition for not only crafting a distinctive street-defined sound that resonated with millions but also for creating opportunities for his brothers and other artists from his region to share their authentic stories and aspirations.
The Uzama brothers have transformed what could have been mere sibling rivalry into a powerful collaborative force, proving that family ties can indeed become the foundation for musical excellence in Nigeria's competitive entertainment landscape.
