After the organizers of the 17th Headies Award in Lagos on Sunday neglected to give him a plaque for the category he won, Nigerian singer Crown Uzama, better known by his stage name Shallipopi, has vowed never to attend the next one.
Shallipopi, who lost to his colleague Odumodublvck in the fiercely contested “Next Rated” category, reportedly found solace in the news that his song “Cast” had won “Best Rap Single of the Year.”

Midway through the award ceremony, the organizers apparently ran short of award plaques, so the presenter unexpectedly shook hands with Shallipopi on stage.

In a post on Monday, April 28, 2025, through his 𝕏 handle, Shallipopi expressed his embarrassment at the circumstance and promised to abstain from any future award shows.

Shallipopi went on to say that since he doesn’t see himself as a rapper, he didn’t even want the “Best Rap Single” prize.

The musician asked the Headies Award organizers to honor the category’s legitimate rappers.

“The next one if una see me make I bend,” he wrote.

“I don’t want that award, and I won’t even lie for Una Sef.” Let the true rappers know what category they belong to. I am Shallipopi, and I am not a rapper.