Street pop isn’t just a genre, it’s a movement. And few artists embody its evolution like Shoday, who has managed to capture both the raw energy of the streets and the polished appeal that makes music travel globally. This interview dives deep into the mind of an artist who has become synonymous with the genre’s current golden age.
The conversation also explores the delicate balance between content creation and serious artistry. How do you maintain credibility while leveraging social media? How do you turn fleeting TikTok moments into lasting cultural impact? How do you ensure that your music stands on its own merit while still benefiting from digital amplification?
Shoday’s answers reveal an artist who has thought deeply about these questions and developed a philosophy that’s helping to define street pop’s future.
From his creative process when cameras aren’t rolling to his vision for where his career is heading, this interview offers insights into the mind of an artist who has become essential listening for anyone trying to understand contemporary Nigerian music’s trajectory.
For someone who might just be discovering you, who is Shoday?
Shoday is an artist from Lagos, Nigeria. He’s a songwriter, a business mogul, and boyfriend to all girls.
How did your background shape your sound, style, and contributions to street pop culture?
I grew up in Agege, so the hustle, lifestyle, and way of life contributed to my sound. If you listen to a couple of my songs, you’ll know I’m street-oriented and the street is in me. The streets played a major role in shaping my sound and the songs I put out.
You have had an amazing run this year. What was that moment when you realised that your big break was finally here?
The exact time I felt like it seemed this was actually working was when I did my UK tour. I saw people over there vibe to my sound and my songs, which gave me the assurance that I was doing something right.
Looking back, how has content creation and social media (particularly TikTok) contributed to your success as an artist?
We’re in the time and age where we need to embrace the fact that social media, especially TikTok and other social media platforms, play a major role in song promotion. Everyone needs to accept that fact and roll with the vibe that social media, TikTok, goes a long way in making songs go viral and generate streams.
Tell us about your viral hit “Hey Jago”. How did this song come together, and how does its reception so far make you feel?
While I believed in the song, Hey Jago is one of those songs that I never expected the outcome would be that big. I recorded the song sometime last year and sent it to Poco Lee. He called me one day and he said, “We’re going to drop the song”. When we previewed the song, it was one of my fastest-growing songs. The acceptance made me believe that you can’t really force songs on people. People need to love a song organically, and ever since that song has dropped, God has been faithful.
Your single “Shoday Kilode” strikes a perfect balance between street pulse and pop appeal. What inspired you to turn an ad-lib into an actual song?
I’ve always wanted to make a song that people relate to, whether you’re living in Lagos or just existing generally. And that was what brought about Shoday Kilode. From the first verse, which song is so relatable to people generally, I recorded the song with an entirely different hook. But then I felt the need to innovate something new, which was putting my name in the song. It just made more sense to use my name. Poco said it first on Hey Jago and I brought it into this new song.
What’s a song of yours that means more to you personally than people may realise?
This was the intro of my last project, Hallelujah, because it’s real. It is my life story and how I felt at that time. It’s the perfect song because it is so personal to me. It’s about my success and where I am presently.
You seem to have a clear understanding of how to turn social media challenges into lasting movements. What drives you to keep creating this way?
Everybody has their niche, their idea, or their rollout plan. Turning social media challenges into lasting movements is something that has worked for me. So this is just sticking to the plan and an existing rollout that actually worked previously for me. And that’s the main idea behind my continuous push.
What are you up to when you’re not making music or creating content?
In my house, resting, chilling, watching movies. I love Nollywood movies so much because I believe in our culture, and I want to be an ambassador. I want more people to discover Nollywood movies. And lastly, I’m in my house cooking for myself.
Where do you feel you are right now in your career, and what’s next for Shoday?
I thank God for where I am. I’m not where I used to be, and I’m so sure that very God is taking me still bigger and there’s more greatness ahead. I’m working on my debut album, stay anticipated, and watch out.
