The Juxtaposition of an ‘Ex Convict’: Shallipopi Music Video Breakdown
After a selection of hits across the Nigerian and international music airwaves, Crown Uzama, artistically known as Shallipopi went on to debut his Extended Play (EP) — Planet Pluto in July 2023.
Among the catchy tracks on the six-track EP or body of work, Ex Convict, a three-minute street anthem with over five million streams on Spotify alone, subtly chronicles his entanglement with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), following the talent’s arrest on fraud allegations in Kaduna State, Nigeria.
No go dey
With references such as “got all these *paper (yeah),” “inside cell (inside life) / hope say you mount your *cha ‘cause no joy inside there,” “I *dagbo money,” “How you dey Shalli’, you dey confirm *BTC?” and “And your *broker is active (clear road),” it’s somewhat tempting to link the entertaining and bouncy lyrics with his brush up with law enforcement.
But, beyond Shallipopi’s use of English and Nigerian street lingo, it is essential for avid fans to pay homage to the dexterous acts of ThankGod Omori (TG Omori), a critically acclaimed music video director who brought visuals to his masterpiece, count 45 days after the initial audio output on popular streaming platforms.
Kickstarting Shallipopi’s ‘Ex Convict’ Music Video Mastery: A New Cinematic Odyssey
In the realm of music videos that captivate, intrigue, and spark conversations, TG Omori, also known as @boy_director on X (formerly called Twitter), stands as a creative genius unbeknownst to few.
From collaborating with rising stars such as Asake (Organise) and Young Jonn (Aquafina) to shaping the visual narratives of established artistes like Davido (Feel) and Kizz Daniel (Buga), Omori's work of art continues to push boundaries and redefine what it means to tell a visual story through music.
One of his projects, Shallipopi’s Ex Convict, showcases his signature style while ushering us into a world of complex emotions, visual metaphors, and storytelling prowess.
How?
Setting the stage, TG Omori has successfully crafted a megastar aura for Shallipopi with Ex Convict.
The video kicks off with a jailbreak scene as muscular men gripping firearms like bazookas, AKs, and truck-mounted artillery lay siege to the site where the Edo-born singer is imprisoned. There is a lot happening at once: aggressive driving, killer shootouts, and Shallipopi raves “men mount” in the first few seconds.
It’s a far cry from what the Obapluto crooner’s visual consumers are used to with it’s serious themes.
In previous music videos, Shallipopi seems relatable, oftentimes bubbly and having fun with friends, as seen in Speedometer and Elon Musk.
But this one feels like an ACTION movie sequence, literally!
Balancing Explicit Lyricism with Visual Symphony: The TG Omori Advantage
As viewers get a good look at Shallipopi, TG Omori convincingly weaves a tapestry of imagery that echoes both lyrical prowess and the video’s thematic depths.
This time, however, the tone is decidedly different. Ex Convict embraces a modest approach, weighing explicit lyricism with a visual experience that demands attention and contemplation.
The video unravels a juxtaposition of subtle yet captivating elements, setting the stage for the narrative that is about to unfold.
The attractive vixens?
You see, their presence is undeniable, but it's worth noting that Omori's direction ensures they exude power and sexiness without resorting to the unnecessary provocativeness of actually “bending” like Benz!
In addition to this, TG Omori accurately documents the part when Crown sings, “Jam two b@*#hes in the nightclub.” There are only two femme fatales in the entire film.
As Shallipopi croons, "Dey bend am like Benz," the absence of a Mercedes-Benz automobile becomes an intriguing choice.
Could there be a missing double entendre at play here?
The potential for a visual drift scene, mirroring the phrase, is a tantalising thought, methinks.
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A departure from Shallipopi's previous visuals, Ex Convict — the single that Crown Uzama claims he recorded in prison — delves into hasty cinematic dramatisation on video.
“I made ‘Ex Convict’ while I was in the cell and people that were with me there, they would understand what I was saying,” the serial hitmaker commented while speaking with Osikoya Wonu on her podcast — Osikoya Speaks.
As mentioned, the flick revolves around a prison breakout, a theme that mirrors the song's title.
Although the shift from Shallipopi’s orange prison attire to his casual outfit should be clearer, the video makes up for it with the lively energy portrayed by every actor on screen.
The electric shock scene adds a dash of the unexpected, seizing the viewer's attention and underscoring the video's unpredictable scenery.
“They were arrested following actionable intelligence about a proposed show by suspected Internet fraudsters at Barnawa, Kaduna,” EFCC Spokesperson Wilson Uwujaren said in May.
Being audacious, Shallipopi proceeds to give a shoutout to the guys who were arrested alongside him over their alleged involvement in a fraud case.
Praising them free-spiritedly on Ex Convict, he chants:
Pluto Boy (me na ex convict)
21 Badder (him na ex convict)
Pablo Pilano (him na ex convict)
Alex HO (him na ex convict)
Savage Wire (him na ex convict)
Jamal, my blood (him na ex convict)
Abdul hazeez (him na ex convict)
Shallibingo (him na ex convict)
Busy Pluto (him na ex convict)
Asuku Nwanne (him na ex convict)
Q-xtra (him na ex convict)
Dapper Damm (him na ex convict)
GNF Collins (him na ex convict)
These figures come to life on screen at 2:55 in the video clip, allowing viewers to immerse themselves in the musician’s narrative.
In fact, at some point, everyone wants to be an ex-convict!
Each party entered a plea of guilt for the charges.
Unlocking Hidden Gems and Missed Opportunities
TG Omori's genius extends beyond the obvious, often hiding Easter eggs and subliminal messaging within his creations.
A could’ve-been prime example lies in Shallipopi’s EFCC mug shot numbers (47312023), which could have been cleverly incorporated as the title tag, creating an alluring connection between visual and textual elements.
While overlooked by the insatiable Nigerian video director, this was somewhat an Easter egg lurking.
Instead, reimagined figures were assigned to the music act for the mug shot-inspired title tag—45348754.
As Shallipopi sings about ex-convict acquaintances and friends, it’s also possible that TG Omori intentionally made up new numbers to distance the act from his tumultuous days, sometimes in the second quarter of the year.
From lyrics comes life, eventually.
The SUM UP: Commot BODY for Shallipopi! 1,500,000+ YouTube Views Later
Evidently, in the heart of Shallipopi’s “Ex Convict” music video lies a symphony of creativity, visual storytelling, and artistic brilliance for Afrobeats aficionados across the Pluto-verse.
TG Omori, the mastermind behind the lens, crafts a world where music and visuals intertwine, guiding us through a cinematic journey that leaves us questioning facts and finesse.
Again, Ex Convict beckons a familiar nostalgia, reminiscent of TG Omori's earlier work on Naira Marley's “Soapy” over four years ago!
Despite the contrasting tones, there’s a seriousness that speaks to Boy Director’s ability to adapt his creative approach.
With over 1.5 million views as of the date of this article’s publication, Crown Uzama’s music video remains a testament to ThankGod’s capacity to create visual experiences that resonate, pretty much.
Thank YOU for reading my critique.
“I make my music for the vibe, but the lyrics contain things that only a few people understand,” — Shallipopi
A special shout-out to OBA.T.K! Your engaging comments on my music commentaries have been a delightful symphony of applaudissez.
Glossary
*paper is money
*‘cha could mean to eat, munch, hustle, jazz or gun
*dagbo loosely translates to any of these: to steal, cheat, extort, drag, swindle, involve in illegalities, or collect forcefully
*BTC is a somewhat prohibited cryptocurrency in Nigeria, it has not been termed illegal, but it is unregulated
*Broker is someone who buys, sells and trades cryptocurrencies, including BTC
As Shallipopi’s men progressively mount, we can only anticipate visual delights shot in Nigeria and beyond.
Originally Published on Friday, September 22, 2023
