by Chinazam Ikechi-Uko.
Gen Z has acquired a taste for nostalgic fashion trends, often opting for styles such as Y2K and Indie Sleaze. Nigerian singer, Crown Uzama, popularly known as Shallipopi, knows this as his collaboration with fashion brand, boohooMAN, caters to that craving. However, Shallipopi evades generic accusations with this AW24 collection by introducing a lesser-discussed 90s trend – the McBling.
Fashion has always been a huge part of Shallipopi’s image, word to his unique hairdo. A lesser-known part of said image is his influence. The street musician incorporates elements from hip-hop, R&B, and traditional Nigerian music into his signature sound. In an old interview, Shallipopi expressed, “All the artistes are an inspiration to me. Everywhere I am, I pick up something.”
A similar sentiment can be made for his capsule collection with boohooMAN. Shallipopi began to work on the collection a little over three months ago. The idea was straightforward. Shallipopi planned to draw inspiration from the iconic streetwear trends of the 90s New York hip-hop scene— think Jay Z and Missy Elliot.
The collection features oversized silhouettes, bold graphics, and statement-making accessories. These elements are effortlessly combined with classic workwear and Western-inspired details, resulting in a fresh and contemporary take on nostalgic style. The eclectic styles reference the McBling, Dapper Dan, and Rapper’s core of the 90s.
McBling is one of the few 90s trends to not have a Wikipedia page dedicated to it. But as Vogue once put it, “If you’ve been searching “Y2K” on Depop, or scouring thrift stores looking for Von Dutch trucker hats, Juicy Couture tracksuits with “Juicy” splashed across the butt, or tight baby tees with the bedazzled, cursive “Baby Phat” logo, you’re actually searching for the McBling aesthetic.”
Shallipopi channels this aesthetic in his design process. The 49-piece collection includes an array of brightly coloured tracksuits. boohooMAN states, “From spray and dirty washes to autumnal layering, every garment is designed to offer effortless style and laid-back vibes for everyday wear.” This matches with the ethos of the 90s trends as McBling reflected the interconnected world of the digital age, with its emphasis on glamour and ease.
While Shallipopi took this opportunity to flex his fashion knowledge and design skills as boohooMAN says about his involvement in the project, “Known for his genre-defying sound and magnetic presence, Shallipopi has brought his unique flair to the design process, making this collaboration a celebration of both fashion and music.” Shallipopi managed to merge his creativity with his persona as the collection features several silhouettes that have come to define the Benin rapper.
Designed to cater to a diverse audience, the collection is available in sizes XS to XL, with
price points ranging from £12 to £50 (~ 26,000 to 106,000 naira). The collection makes use of fabrics such as brushed knits, twill, woven checks, and faux leather, a fabric Shallipopi is often spotted in.
Another staple in Shallipopi’s style is his love of match sets and large hoodies as seen in his music videos like ASAP. The devoted fan base has a chance to play and replicate these looks with a couple of designs from the collection. On this, Shallipopi says, “I’ve always believed that fashion is a powerful form of self-expression. Collaborating with boohooMAN on this AW24 collection has been an incredible experience. This line blends my musical roots with bold, innovative styles that resonate with today’s youth. Each piece reflects the spirit of freedom, creativity, and resilience, and I can’t wait to see how our fans mix and match these looks to create their own unique style.”
For Shallipopi, nothing is more dear to him than home and boohooMAN has created a way for the collection to reach home.
boohooMAN has collaborated with several Nigerian acts with its Rema collection still fresh in our minds. However, as it unveils the boohooMAN X Shallipopi on the 10th of October, it also assures that the collection will be available on boohooMAN.com and boohooMAN.ng. Shallipopi is a voice of the streets and it is only fair that Nigerian consumers get the chance to shop the collection.
This collection marks Shallipopi’s crossover into fashion. With nothing more than a dream, a mood board, and a retailer, he has created a universe that caters to our secret desire to be a 90s star. One look at the collection and the influences are clear. Fashion is subjective, nevertheless, Shallipopi did nail his assignment.