Laho (song)

Last updated

"Laho"
Laho (song).png
Single by Shallipopi
Released13 March 2025
Genre Afrobeats
Length2:24
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Progrex
Shallipopi singles chronology
"Benin Boys"
(2024)		"Laho"
(2025)		"Laho II"
(2025)
Music video
"Laho" on YouTube

"Laho" is a song by Nigerian singer and rapper Shallipopi. It was released on 13 March 2025, under Shallipopi's record label, Plutomania Records and the British label Since '93. [1] The song reached the top ten on the U.S. Billboard Afrobeats Songs chart. [2]

Contents

Background and controversy

In January 2025, Shallipopi previewed the song on his official Twitter account, sharing a studio session snippet that garnered significant attention. [3] Following considerable anticipation, the song's initial release occurred on 21 February 2025. However, it was subsequently removed due to a dispute with his record label. [4] The controversy surrounding the song's release led to a publicized disagreement between Shallipopi and his former label executive. After resolving the issue, Shallipopi re-released the single "Laho" on 13 March 2025, under Plutomania Records and Since '93, in accordance with the agreed-upon distribution arrangement. [5]

Composition

The song incorporates Afrobeats rhythms, produced by Progrex. [6] The instrumental features slow, thumping drums with prominent basslines, accompanied by ascending chord progressions characteristic of Afrobeats. [7] The blend of Edo language and Pidgin English creates a distinctive sound. Lyrically, Shallipopi celebrates his wealth, fame, and hometown Benin City, adopting the persona of the "Minister of Enjoyment" to emphasize his luxurious lifestyle. [8] [9]

Critical reception

Naming the song one of the best of 2025, Rolling Stone said he created a moment with "Laho," the laid back anthem that's taken over African social media with the empowering bars, "Minister of enjoyment/Intercontinental/monumental/We go live forever." Elsewhere, much of the song is performed in Bini, his local language. [10]

Nosakhare Akhimien of Premium Times commended Shallipopi for incorporating elements of Benin culture into his Afrobeats sound. Akhimien noted that Shallipopi effectively blends themes of wealth and status, reflecting his ambition and street life experiences. [11]

Music video

The music video for the song was released on 14 March 2025, and was directed by Perliks Definition. [12] The video features an appearance by Shallipopi's younger brother, Zerrydl. [13]

Remix with Burna Boy

"Laho II"
Remix by Shallipopi and Burna Boy
Released25 April 2025
Recorded2025
Genre
Length2:37
Label
  • Since '93
  • Plutomania
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Progrex
Burna Boy chronology
"4 Kampé II"
(2025)		"Laho II"
(2025)		"TaTaTa"
(2025)
Music video
"Laho II" on YouTube

On 25 April 2025, a remix of the song, featuring Nigerian singer and songwriter Burna Boy, titled "Laho II", was released. [14]

Charts

Chart performance for "Laho"
Chart (2025)Peak
position
Nigeria (TurnTable) [15] 4
UK Singles (OCC) [16] 57
UK Afrobeats (OCC) [17] 2
UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC) [18] 12
US Afrobeats Songs ( Billboard ) [19] 9

Release history

Release dates and formats for "Laho"
RegionDateFormatLabelRef.
Various13 March 2025
 [20]
Release dates and formats for "Laho II"
RegionDateFormatLabelRef.
Various25 April 2025
  • Digital download
  • Streaming
  • Since '93
  • Plutomania
 [21]

References

  1. ↑ Chama Laura (13 March 2025). "Afrobeat Superstar Shallipopi Releases 'Laho'". M.M. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
  2. ↑ "Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs". Billboard. 29 March 2022. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
  3. ↑ Peace, Umanah (26 January 2025). "Shallipopi Teases New Single". TooXclusive .
  4. ↑ NotJustOk (22 February 2025). "Shallipopi's "Laho" has now been taken down from Spotify". NotJustOk.
  5. ↑ Adeayo. "Shallipopi's new single 'Laho' is back on Spotify after being taking down". Pulse Nigeria.
  6. ↑ Peace Umanah (21 February 2025). "Shallipopi – Laho". TooXclusive. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
  7. ↑ Kevin Jasper (21 February 2025). "Shallipopi unleash new single "Laho", redefining Afrobeats vibes". NaijaVibes. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
  8. ↑ Peace (23 April 2025). "Shallipopi's Laho Hits 30 Million on Spotify, 2nd Most Streamed Nigerian Track of 2025". TooXclusive. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
  9. ↑ Peace (24 March 2025). "15 Afrobeats Tracks You Need". TooXclusive. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
  10. ↑ Stone, Rolling (6 June 2025). "The Best Songs of 2025 So Far". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
  11. ↑ Akhimien, Nosakhale (8 March 2025). "MUSIC REVIEW: Shallipopi's 'Laho' is hustler's anthem drenched in street reality". Premium Times .
  12. ↑ Peter Okhide (7 March 2025). "Shallipopi unveils lavish music video for 'Laho'". NotJustOk. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
  13. ↑ Funmilayo Kanmodi (7 March 2025). "Did Shallipopi win the hearts of fans with 'Laho' video?". NotJustOk. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
  14. ↑ "Shallipopi Taps Afrobeat Giant Burna Boy for Electrifying 'Laho II' Remix". New Wave Magazine. 26 April 2025. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
  15. ↑ "TurnTable Nigeria Top 100". TurnTable. 11 April 2025. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
  16. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2 May 2025.
  17. ↑ "Official Afrobeats Chart Top 20". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2 May 2025.
  18. ↑ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2 May 2025.
  19. ↑ "Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs". Billboard . 3 May 2025. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
  20. ↑ "Spotify". open.spotify.com. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
  21. ↑ "Spotify". spotify . Retrieved 29 April 2025.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.