Global superstar Rihanna gave Shallipopi fans a major reason to celebrate early in 2026 when she was spotted vibing to Nigerian rapper Shallipopi’s hit song “Laho” while on a yacht in Barbados. The moment, captured on video, shows Rihanna mouthing the lyrics and moving to the rhythm of the track, an unscripted display that quickly went viral across social media platforms.
Fans and entertainment observers were quick to point out that Rihanna’s spontaneous enjoyment of “Laho” marks another moment in her ongoing appreciation of African music. Many viewed the clip as a cultural bridge between Caribbean royalty and West African street-pop, highlighting the global reach of Nigerian music.
Shallipopi himself reacted to the viral video by showing support for the superstar’s enthusiasm. He acknowledged her recognition of the track with a short but meaningful comment: “Get it queen.”
The song “Laho”, which loosely translates to “please” in Edo slang, first dropped in March 2025 and quickly became one of Nigeria’s biggest hits of the year. After resolving a label dispute, Shallipopi reissued it independently, propelling the track onto the U.S. Billboard Afrobeats Songs chart and amassing millions of streams globally. Rihanna’s public connection to the song has now amplified its reach, bringing international attention to a track that already had strong local momentum.
Rihanna’s support for African music is not new. She has previously shown appreciation for Nigerian artists such as Wizkid, Burna Boy, and Davido. In doing so, she has reinforced the significance of Afrobeats as a sound that transcends borders and unites global audiences.
Rihanna’s unplanned display of enjoyment, coupled with Shallipopi’s recognition of her support, demonstrates how a simple viral clip can turn a local hit into a global conversation. As fans continue to share and celebrate the video, it is clear that Nigerian music’s influence on the world stage is growing stronger than ever.
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