A new wave of energetic performers, known as “hypemen,” is gaining prominence in the Afrobeats music scene. This style, characterized by high-octane, improvised vocals, is captivating audiences and redefining the genre. One key figure, Toby Shang, emerged from the University of Lagos, where a standout presentation in his freshman year in 2015 earned him the nickname inspired by the Ming dynasty. Shang honed his skills as a high school “ginger-man” and private tutor before achieving viral success with his energetic catchphrases and a hit song, Shedibalabala. He now identifies as a pioneer of Afrohype or lamba, a sub-genre of Afrobeats. These hypemen are becoming increasingly vital to the dynamic energy of live Afrobeats performances and the sound of the genre itself.