Rema and Shallipopi Take Pride In Shared Cultural Identity In “Benin Boys”

Afrobeats artistes Rema and Shallipopi mark their collaborative debut, teaming up to create a unique jam, Benin Boys. The new single showcases the artistes’ pride in their shared cultural and ethnic identity.

On Benin Boys, Rema’s distinct Indian-esque, Afro Rave style meets Shallipopi’s signature street rap, generating a youth-centric Pidgin English mix that is sportive with danceable beats. With the voices of the artistes often colliding in most parts of the song, feelings of camaraderie and collective ethnic pride are encouraged.

The artistes flaunt their success, which is signified by the wealth they have come by. “Na we dey bully, na we dey pepper/If you play with the boys, you go collect/See doings, you no fit talk say we no get,” the artistes claim. While they profess their love for materialism, the reality of fortune helps them to feel at home and earns them respect among their people. So they consider themselves “pride of Benin” deserving of honorable treatments from the traditional ruler—a claim to being worthy ambassadors of their cultural roots.

In Benin Boys, Rema and Shallipopi reiterate their faith in the local people as much as they highlight how they have contributed to elevating the status of the traditional society with their affluence and fame. Thus, the song provides a moment of reunion, allowing the artistes to muse over ethnic affinity and reconnect with background-the bedrock of their entire existence.

Released in June 20th, Benin Boys is now available on streaming platforms.

Listen here.