| "Benin Boys" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Single byRema andShallipopi | ||||
| from the albumHeis | ||||
| Released | 20 June 2024 | |||
| Recorded | 2024 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 2:50 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Songwriters |
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| Producers |
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| Rema singles chronology | ||||
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| Shallipopi singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Benin Boys" onYouTube | ||||
| Lyrical video | ||||
| "Benin Boys" onYouTube | ||||
"Benin Boys" (stylized inall caps) is a song by Nigerian singer and rapper Rema featuring fellow Nigerian singer and rapperShallipopi.[1] Released on 20 June 2024, as the lead single from Rema's second studio album Heis. It features a prominent Afrobeats rhythm. Themusic video was released the next day.[2]
Following the song's release, Rema andShallipopi shared astudio clip onsocial media on 30 January 2024.[3] Produced by X and co-produced by Rema, the track is a musical celebration ofBenin City culture.[4] In an interview, Rema revealed his aim: to craft a song that showcases his cultural pride while connecting with his audience on a deeper level, fostering community and shared identity among listeners.[5]
The song features a prominentafrobeats rhythm, accompanied by a range ofpercussion instruments, adriving bassline, andkeyboard synths.[6] Thechord progression is centered aroundC minor andG7, creating a harmonic foundation that supports the song's energetic and celebratory feel. Lyrically, the song is an ode to pride and wealth, with Rema and Shallipopi delivering verses that celebrate their cultural heritage and affluence.[7] The lyrics are written in a style that is both boastful and aspirational, with the artists expressing their pride in their roots and their achievements. The song's themes of pride, wealth, and cultural celebration are woven throughout the lyrics, creating a narrative that is both personal and universal.[8]
Oumou Fofana, amusic critic forBET, described the song as "a dynamic exchange of verses over heavy drums and electrifying background strings, showcasing Rema and Shallipopi's lyrical prowess and musical chemistry."[9] Fofana's assessment highlights the track's energetic and infectious beat, which combines traditional drum patterns with modern string arrangements, creating a unique sound that blends cultural heritage with contemporary style.[9]
A music video for the song was released on 21 June 2024. The video, directed byDirector K, features the two artists in distinct settings, with Rema perched on anairplaneflap and Shallipopi posing alongside a car.[10][11] The visuals also incorporate elements ofBenin culture, including the prominent display of theBenin Ancestral Bronzes. Additionally, the video features imagery ofbats, which symbolize theBenin symbol.[12][13]
| Chart (2024) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Nigeria (TurnTable Top 100)[14] | 1 |
| Top 50 Streaming Songs (TurnTable) | 27 |
| TCL Radio (TheCable)[15] | 1 |
| USAfrobeats Songs (Billboard)[16] | 13 |
| UK Afrobeats (OCC)[17] | 5 |
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Nigeria (TCSN)[18] | 2× Platinum | 200,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
| Region | Date | Format | Label | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various | 20 June 2024 (2024-06-20) | Jonzing,Mavin |