In the highly competitive world of Afrobeats, a remarkable story is unfolding as three brothers from the same family are making significant waves in the Nigerian music industry. The Uzama brothers—Shallipopi, Zerry DL, and Famous Pluto—are achieving what few families have accomplished, with the eldest brother's success directly paving the way for his siblings' emergence.
The Migows: Nigeria's New Musical Dynasty
The magnitude of this family achievement isn't lost on Shallipopi, the oldest Uzama brother, who recently celebrated his brothers' success in a social media post. The rapper proudly took credit for creating the pathway while embracing the nickname 'The Migows' that fans have bestowed upon the trio. This moniker, inspired by American hip-hop group The Migos but adapted with a South-South Nigerian linguistic twist, has been fully adopted by the brothers despite its initially humorous origins.
Shallipopi: The Trailblazing Older Brother
The story begins with Shallipopi's explosive entry into the mainstream in 2023 through his debut EP 'Planet Pluto' under Dapper Music. His unique sound blended Amapiano fusion with Benin City-inspired street flows that immediately resonated with listeners across Nigeria. Hit songs like 'Obapluto,' 'Elon Musk,' 'Ex-Convict,' and 'Shapiru' showcased his ability to translate everyday life in Benin streets into relatable music that connected with urban audiences.
His relentless work ethic saw him release his debut album 'Presido La Pluto' in November 2023, featuring the viral hit 'Cast' with Odumodublvck. Just five months later, he followed up with another nine-track project 'Shakespopi,' further solidifying his position in the industry. Shallipopi's unapologetic embrace of his Benin heritage and street origins not only brought him personal success but created an opening for other artists from his region.
Plutomania Records: The Family Platform
The strategic move that enabled the Uzama brothers' collective success came in October 2023 when Shallipopi launched his imprint, Plutomania Records, under Dapper Music. The label was specifically created to support emerging artists from his region, and the first signees included his brother Zerrydl and rapper Tega Boi DC.
Zerrydl quickly made his mark by collaborating with his older brother on the explosive track 'Puff Puff Pass' before releasing his debut EP 'Danger Zee' in December 2023. His momentum continued with the release of his second EP 'Wara Wara SZN' six months later. Zerry DL's career reached new heights when he delivered fiery verses on Kvng Vinci's 'Hausapiano,' which became one of 2024's hottest hits and helped him clinch the Rookie of the Year prize at the 17th Headies Awards.
Completing the Trio: Famous Pluto Arrives
The youngest Uzama brother, Famous Pluto, entered the scene with a cameo on Outsyd DJ's 'Feel The Mood' in October 2024, but made his grand entrance into the Nigerian mainstream in March 2025 with his thundering debut 'Na Scra.' His debut EP 'Uzama The Third' demonstrated that the family's musical talent runs deep, featuring the same essential elements that made his brothers successful—street lingo, relatable themes, and party-starting production.
The project included the smash hit 'Ewo,' which marked the first-ever collaboration featuring all three Uzama brothers, offering fans a exciting glimpse of what a joint project from the trio might sound like.
A New Chapter in Afrobeats History
The Uzama brothers are positioning themselves to join the ranks of iconic Nigerian music groups like The Remedies, The Trybesmen, Styl Plus, Mo'Hits Crew, and Cho Boiz. In an industry where praise can be scarce, Shallipopi deserves recognition for not only crafting a distinctive street-defined sound but for actively creating opportunities for his brothers and other artists from his region to succeed.
The rise of The Uzamas represents more than just individual success stories—it showcases the power of family support and strategic mentorship in the competitive music industry. As all three brothers continue to build their careers, they're writing a new chapter in Afrobeats history that demonstrates how talent, when combined with opportunity and family unity, can create a lasting impact on Nigerian music.
