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Cultural Impact and Growth of Street Pop in Mainstream Media in Nigeria
Music consistently holds a powerful sway over the lives of youth globally, and in Nigeria, artists and their musical creations profoundly influence culture, impacting the way young people communicate, dress, and express themselves.
Lately, the undeniable rise of the sub-genre “Street Pop” in Nigeria has been both remarkable and thrilling to observe, and it has slowly but surely made its way to mainstream music. This surge in popularity within the mainstream Nigerian music scene actively shapes and establishes cultural trends in the country. Originating from a fusion of Afrobeats, Highlife, Hip-hop, Fuji, Apala, indigenous sounds, and contemporary elements, Street Pop boasts an engaging rhythm, pulsating fast-paced beats, and lyrics that mirror the everyday lives of Nigerians navigating the challenges of the streets.
This journey can clearly be seen in this year’s Spotify Wrapped data, where for the first time, Street Pop artists and tracks are in the top streamed in Nigeria.
“The influence of Street Pop on the Nigerian music landscape in 2023 is clearly and undeniably significant. This is just the beginning of Street Pop going mainstream and we cannot wait to see how it continues to grow,” says Benewaah Boateng, Spotify’s Editor, West Africa.
A notable attribute of Street Pop as a music genre lies in its profound connection to the harsh realities of everyday life in Nigeria. It demonstrates a sincere willingness to delve into the intricacies of street existence, encompassing its language, lifestyle, and all the defining aspects in between.
Olamide is arguably the most influential street pop artist of his generation, consistently praised for his role in elevating Street Pop to mainstream recognition as a distinct music genre. Since the debut of his hit single, “Eni Duro,” he has been a constant cultural force, popularizing dance styles like “Shakiti Bobo” and street lingos such as “Baddo Sneh” and “Pepper Dem”. Through his record label YBNL, Olamide has also played a pivotal role in discovering and nurturing Nigeria’s brightest street pop talents.
Olamide occupies the ninth spot in the list of top 10 artists in Nigeria. His most recent project “Unruly” garnered widespread acclaim from fans who describe it as a brilliant body of work . One particular track that has resonated exceptionally well with audiences is “Gaza” which has received significant admiration for its appeal and musical craftsmanship.
Seyi Vibez, has emerged as an undeniable force in the Nigerian street pop scene, particularly in 2023, after finding mainstream success in 2022. He has ingrained himself in the hearts of Gen-Zs and millennials, with phrases like “na ham, na ham” echoing from his popular song “Chance.” His success in 2023 is evident, from selling out his concert at the O2 Indigo Hall in the UK to securing features on hit songs like Gwagwalada, the second most streamed song in Nigeria on Spotify. Additionally, earning a spot among the top five most streamed artists in Nigeria further underscores Seyi Vibez’s ability to transcend Street Pop and strike a chord with all music lovers.
Born and raised in Ikorodu, the late Mohbad, also a street pop artist, stood out among his peers with a distinctive and captivating sound. His unique fusion of Afrobeat, hip-hop, and street-pop resonated with audiences, distinguishing him and capturing the hearts of music enthusiasts. From his humble beginnings to his rapid ascent to fame, he significantly influenced the street pop genre and discourse, leaving an enduring imprint on the Nigerian music scene.
The devastating news of his passing at the age of 27 on the evening of September 12, 2023, sent shockwaves through the country. His track Ask About Me, where he courageously sang about overcoming personal battles and conquering adversaries, became the top-streamed track every day between September 13th and 25th, reflecting an increased interest in his music following his untimely death. Additionally, he secured a position in the top 20 list of the most streamed artists in Nigeria.
In the world of social media and the streets, Shallipoppi’s breakout hit “Elon Musk,” has become a favorite. This song stands as one of his most streamed tracks on Spotify, marking his introduction to mainstream media. Hailing from Edo, Shallipoppi, one of the most streamed street pop artists on Spotify, remains a constant presence in conversations and is deeply connected to the streets through his music, viral moments, and memorable lines from his songs.
Shallipoppi’s dynamic delivery, use of thought provoking street slang, and infectious beats have ushered in a refreshing wave of sound to the Street Pop scene. His distinctive approach has endeared him to Nigerian audiences who are constantly intrigued, eagerly seeking to comprehend the meaning behind his lyrics.
Notably, Shallipoppi has gained recognition for incorporating nursery rhymes into his music, a style playfully coined “Afrocreche” on social media and evident in songs like “Oscroh (Pepperline)” and “Over the Sea.”
Zinoleesky has reshaped and made substantial contributions to the street pop genre through his skillful melodies and compelling storytelling, landing him in the top 15 most streamed artists in Nigeria. Nominated in the Next Rated category at the 2022 Headies, the artist is featured in Adekunle Gold’s Party No Dey Stop, one of the top ten most streamed tracks in Nigeria in 2023.
While the street pop scene may appear to be predominantly led by male artists, it’s important to acknowledge the remarkable female artistes who are not only making their presence felt but also pushing the boundaries of the genre. Among these trailblazers is Candy Bleakz, known as “The Lady Dragon” by her fans. Her unique style and powerful performances have contributed to breaking the gender barriers in the industry.
Another noteworthy emerging artist making waves in the street pop scene is Zerrydl.
These talented artists not only showcase their skills but also bring a fresh perspective to the street pop genre, proving that the scene is not limited to any gender and is enriched by the diversity of voices and talents within it.
The collective impact of these artists and their chart-topping tracks have significantly molded the narrative of Street Pop, propelling the genre into the mainstream and firmly establishing it as a formidable force in contemporary music. Their music not only offers entertainment but also serves as a mirror reflecting the diverse experiences and narratives from the streets, resonating with audiences worldwide.
As the genre continues to evolve, and street pop artists continue to explore new creative frontiers, it is evident that “street pop” is poised for exponential growth in the years to come, potentially emerging as the next global phenomenon akin to Afrobeats.
Modern messengers, such as WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal and others, are often used for illicit purposes. Kaspersky Digital Footprint Intelligence has conducted an in-depth monitoring of over 800 blocked cybercriminal Telegram channels between 2021 and 2024.
While a range of illegal activities continues to be hosted on the platform, its environment has become noticeably more challenging for sustained underground operations.
Telegram’s bot framework and other built-in features make for a low-effort ecosystem for the underworld.
A single bot can simultaneously manage queries, process cryptocurrency payments, and instantly deliver stolen bank cards, info-stealer logs, phishing kits, or DDoS attacks to hundreds of buyers per day, often without operator involvement.
Unlimited, non-expiring file storage eliminates the need for external hosting when distributing multi-gigabyte database dumps or stolen corporate documents. This frictionless automation naturally favours high-volume, low-price, low-skill offerings, such as leaked bank cards or other data, hosting malware, etc.
High-value, trust-dependent deals (for instance, zero-day vulnerability information) still remain on reputation-gated dark-web forums.
Kaspersky researchers found two clear trends related to illegal activities on Telegram. The average lifespan of shadow channels has increased, with the proportion of channels surviving over nine months more than tripling in 2023-2024 compared to 2021–2022. At the same time, Telegram’s blocking activity has risen significantly.
Monthly takedown figures recorded since October 2024 – even at their lowest – are comparable to the peak levels seen throughout 2023, and the overall pace continued to accelerate in 2025. This impedes malicious activities.
Other disadvantages of Telegram for cybercriminals include the lack of default end-to-end (E2E) encryption for chats, the inability to use their own servers for communication (due to the messenger’s centralised infrastructure), and closed server-side code, which makes it impossible to verify its functionality.
As a result, several established underground communities, including the nearly 9,000-member BFRepo group and the Angel Drainer malware-as-a-service operation, have already begun shifting primary activity to other platforms or proprietary messengers, citing repeated disruptions of their activities on Telegram.
“Fraudsters find Telegram a convenient tool for many malicious activities, but the risk-reward balance is clearly shifting. Channels are managing to stay online longer than a couple of years ago, yet the dramatically higher volume of blocks means operators can no longer count on long-term stability.
“When a storefront or service disappears overnight – and sometimes reappears only to be removed again weeks later – building a reliable business becomes much harder. We’re starting to see the early stages of migration as a direct consequence,” comments Vladislav Belousov, Digital Footprint Analyst at Kaspersky.
Galaxy Backbone Limited (GBB), the Federal Government’s leading ICT infrastructure and shared services provider, will mark its 20th anniversary in June 2026 with a grand celebration that reflects two decades of innovation, resilience, and national impact.
Since its inception in 2006, Galaxy Backbone has been at the heart of Nigeria’s digital transformation journey; building the technological foundation that supports modern government operations and public service delivery. What began as a bold vision to connect government has grown into a critical national platform that drives efficiency, transparency, collaboration and innovation across the public sector.
Over the last 20 years, GBB has helped redefine how government works. By providing secure connectivity, enterprise-grade data centre services, cloud platforms, and digital collaboration tools, Galaxy Backbone has enabled Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to move from fragmented, paper-based processes to more integrated, technology-driven systems.
This transformation has improved government-to-government coordination, strengthened engagement with businesses, and enhanced the delivery of services to citizens. Today, the digital infrastructure powered by Galaxy Backbone supports thousands of government users, hundreds of institutions, and critical national platforms that Nigerians rely on daily.
A key part of this journey has been the Federal Government of Nigeria’s investment, managed by GBB in robust national infrastructure, high-capacity and world class data centres, fibre-optic connectivity across multiple states, secure hosting services, and shared platforms that have helped government operate more efficiently and responsively. These contributions have played a pivotal role in Nigeria’s progress toward a more digital, agile and citizen-centered public service.
Galaxy Backbone’s impact has earned both national and global recognition. In 2025, the organisation was ranked first overall in the Federal Government Website Performance Scorecard, reflecting its commitment to excellence in digital service delivery. Internationally, GBB, a couple of years ago, received the prestigious United Nations Public Service Award, a testament to its leadership in promoting a whole-of-government approach to digital transformation.
As GBB celebrates two decades of service, this milestone is more than an organisational anniversary; it is a celebration of Nigeria’s digital evolution. It is an opportunity to appreciate how collaboration between government, industry partners, technology providers, and dedicated public servants has helped build a stronger, more connected nation.
The June 2026 anniversary celebration will bring together stakeholders from across the public and private sectors to reflect on the journey so far, acknowledge the partnerships that have shaped this success, and chart an ambitious course for the future. It will highlight how collective effort, shared vision, and innovation have positioned Galaxy Backbone as a strategic national asset.
Looking ahead, Galaxy Backbone remains committed to deepening digital transformation across the country; expanding infrastructure, strengthening cybersecurity, enhancing service delivery, and supporting the Federal Government’s drive for a smarter, more efficient and digitally empowered Nigeria.
At 20 years, Galaxy Backbone stands proud of its past, confident in its present, and inspired by the limitless possibilities ahead.
Galaxy Backbone Limited (GBB), Nigeria’s leading federal ICT infrastructure provider, has announced its 20th-anniversary celebration for June 2026, marking two decades since unifying government’s fragmented digital landscape into a secure national platform.
Galaxy Backbone
The announcement by Head of Media and Corporate Communications Chidi Okpala follows GBB’s top ranking in the 2025 Federal Government Website Performance Scorecard by the Bureau of Public Service Reforms, cementing its leadership in digital service delivery and transparency.
Managing Director Professor Ibrahim Adepoju Adeyanju described the milestone as celebrating Nigeria’s shift from paper-based silos to a cloud-first, integrated government. Achievements include the UN Public Service Award for 1-GOV.net, high-speed fiber deployment for G2G and G2B interactions, IPPIS payroll rollout, and pandemic-era digital support.
The June event will gather public-private stakeholders, global tech partners, and policymakers to unveil GBB’s next-decade roadmap emphasising cybersecurity, AI in public service, and rural connectivity.
GBB positions itself at the forefront of Nigeria’s 2030 digital nation drive, with 20 years of innovation signaling a smarter, connected future.
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