Not to spite anyone but a few days ago Nigeria’s number one Music site Notjustok released its list of Top 10 most gifted Rappers and trust me the list is very controversial. No offence but i felt the list was very partial because it had some very questionable names in very questionable positions.
From my opinion, Rap music is not just about putting words together or rhyming right. Rap is about lyrics , delivery an most of all your ability to connect with the audience. So without wasting much time Here is Wadup’s official list of top 10 rappers in Nigeria.
10. Terry ThaRapman ( Terry Madaki )
Terry Wire!!
Probably one of the most underatted rappers in Nigeria. His lyrical ability is off the chain *but dude next time please focus more on ur delivery*. With good tracks sucjh as Testing 1-2, BANS is the motto , I like ur style and awon boyz, Its obvious this rapper has a lot to offer. Most of you can remember when Terry did a freestyle I am a Nigerian (Eminem Cover) and Na beans back on 2005
9. Reminisce (Remilekun Jafaru )
Alaga Ibile!!
Lyrically speaking Reminisce is probably higher than Olamide. He started his music career with his first single One chance which featured Jahbless & Alash. After that he has made many Hits!! With chart topping tracks like 2 mussh , Koboko, Ni gboro & If only , He has made his mark on the Nigerian music scene. His monster hit Ijoba which featured Olamide and Endia ( He was as silent as the d in Django) was a super success not forgetting hist chart topping single Kako bii Chicken.
He showed his fuji skills in his last two singles Fantasi and Agidigbo , but that doesn’t means he’s not one of the hottest rap acts in Nigeria. If doubt me, check out his reply to vector during their face off years ago *link*.
8. Naeto C ( Naetochukwu Chikwe )
The only MC with an Msc.
The Kini Big deal crooner has continued to dazzle his fans with chart topping singles such as Kini big deal , You should know my P ft Ikechukwu , Tony Montana , share my blessings ft Asa & others. The new baby daddy has decided to focus more on his kids in 2013 but he still tried to blend his lyrical ability and commercial talent in the single Can you do it which was released earlier this year.
No doubt he has made his ark on the Nigerian Music scene. His remake of Drake’s started from the bottom proved that he still has it!!.
7. Ill Bliss ( Tobechukwu Melvin Ejiofo )
The veteran!!!
Though he does more of Artiste management nowadays , you cant deny the fact that he’s still a boss. With his controversial line in the song Ayepo which featured Terry G where he said “Igbo people better than us … Never” , he’s continued to prove his class in the Nigerian music industry. His chart topping singles Anamachi Kwanu ft Phyno (My fvourite) , My heart beats featuring Banky W & others have continued to set the pace for upcoming musicians.
No doubt illbliss is still a boss *throws cap*
6. Ice Prince
The VIP Aboki!!!
The first time we heard ice price was on MI’s first album on the track titled Somebody wants to die. In 2010 He released his monstrous hit Oleku which featured Brymo and it was was super!!!. With his second track Superstar, he showed his commercial side with the J-town groove. His feature on Samklef‘s monster hit Molowo Noni was absolutely vicious.
He released his firt album E.L.I. (Everybody Loves Ice Prince) in 2011 and it was chart topping. Nowadays he’s more of the commercial money maker with tracks like More, Aboki , Gimme dat ,& VIP (Aboki Remix Part 2). He had a chart topping remix of his single Aboki which featured Sarkodie , Wizkid , Kuli chana & Mercy Johnson (she only said 3 words in the song).
He recently won the BET award for best African act 2013. I’m sure you guys think he’s gone all Commercial on us but if you listen to his track Truth you’ll know he still has it.
5. Vector (Olanrewaju Ogunmefun)
Vector tha Viper!!!! The first time i heard this guy was Oleku remix which was just a freestyle. The song wasn’t that dope but he continued to improve and show his class in the Nigerian music scene. The first time i heard the track wasted i was shocked that this was the same vector who was featured on the remix of General pype’s track World champion. He wasn’t taking shots at anybody when he released the track titled Kilode because honestly I felt it was the truth. When he released his track Angeli which featured 9ice , he was bound to make his mark on the Nigerian music scene.
The face off between Vector and Reminisce proved his true lyrical ability . “Just cos you bleach doesn’t mean youre enlightened” – Vector. That was just sick!!!!. he continued to improve and build a brand name for himself with tracks like Born leader ft Movado and Follow me dey Go remix which featured 2face. Some months ago he had a face off with his record label YSG Entertainment where he was detained in the police cell twice.
After that he blew our minds away when he was featured in two amazing tracks Modenine – Zoning Out & Pheelz – Popular. He won the award for lyricst on the roll at the Headies 2012*i received the award with him*. Lets see if he can win it again this year
4. Olamide
Baddo lee!!!
The way he plays with Yoruba is totally amazing. I don’t see a reason why people should always compare him to Dagrin. He has succeeded in making Indigenous rap so appealing to Nigerians. The first time i heard this guy was back in 2011 when he released his video for his hit song Eni-duro. He followed up with super hits like Omo toh shan ft Wizkid and his chart bursting single First of all.
After his sophomore album YBNL (Yahoo Boy No Laptop), The young Erikina contined to wow his fans with chart topping singles like Voice of the streets, Baddo love , Arabammbi , Stupid love , Rayban Abacha, Confession Aiye , Tonto Dikeh , E sarewole , RIP ft Vector , Turn Up, Otis , Baddest Nigga Ever liveth (My favourite jam) & others. With his new hit single Durosoke which is currently topping the charts in Nigeria, It seems there is no stopping this guy.
With amazing remixes and features such as First of all remix ft D’banj , Gimme dat , Blow am, Ko wa soke and the monster hit Ghost Mode by Phyno, Its obvious Olamide wants his name imprinted in the history books of Rap music in Nigeria.
3. Jesse Jagz ( Jesse Abaga )
Now i know some of you wonder why he’s on our list but trust me, Even MI said it “Jagz is the greatest“. Most of you think Jagz went all rasta on us but you have no idea what this Guys does with words. His first album Jagz of all Trade saw him do lots of commercial music on that album but he still dropped a couple of bars on the album to show off his lyrical ability.
When he released his single Lasgidi Grinding in 2011, it was obvious he was about to go all lyrical on us. With his track Murder dem which was released earlier this year he show his rasta side but that wasn’t the Jesse we had all come to love. It was a shock when he officially announced that he was leaving Chocolate City because he felt his music was getting infiltrated.
He released his badass song Redemption and you need to listen to the lyrics of the song well so you’ll know he had decided to let his lyrical beast out. He released his album on itunes and it was fire!!!. He proved to his fans that he could still deliver mouthwatering tracks like Bad Girl ft Wizkid, Mamacita , Desire, Jargo ft 9ice and still show off his lyrical prowess and delivery.
Most times when i go through Jesse’s TL i see so much wisdom in his tweets which are basically lyrics or quotes. I think you should all go and buy his album to have the true Jesse Jagz Experience.
“If you want to give birth to stars better start fucking the sky ” – Jesse Jagz
2. Modenine
He is no doubt the King of punchlines, Undisputed lyricist on the roll for 4 years straight at the Headies aint beans. His lyrics are probably the most advanced i’ve ever heard. I remember when i first met him and he said “Watch my priceless mouth like i just swallowed a rolex“. It took about 30 mins for me to analyse that *phew*. He ‘s been the GODfather of rap in nigeria with tracks like Zoning Out ft Vector , Some more ft Don Jazzy and Let it go. Just like what Vector said “You can jack MI’s style cos its so appealing , You cant Jack Modenine’s style otherwise you’ll just go insane“. A true Legend
Most of you might not remember his monster track back in 2003 Elbow Room.
1. MI (Jude Abaga)
Now i was more than pissed when i saw MI’s name on number 4 on the NJO list. I think for a man who came and changed the face of Rap music in Nigeria that’s a big insult. I remember the days of listening to Eedris Abdulkareem (i had no idea what the nigga was saying) and then this short black boy from J- Town came along with his slick rhymes with his first single Crowd mentality. I heard that jam on Rhythm 93.7 ‘s Top 7 jams at 7 . It was an instant hit. When he released his second single Safe which featured Djinee, he was set to leave his mark on the Hip hop scene in Nigeria. His first Album Talk About It was a super hit with tracks like Anoti , Teaser featuring General Pype , Fast Money fast cars ( which featured Wizkid ) & more sold 30,000 copies in the first 30 minutes of release (TJoe distributions December 2008).
Illegal Music officially displayed his true lyrical ability with tracks like Gbono Felli Felli , Drop it like its hot , & Cant tell me nothing. When he came back in 2010 with his second album MI 2 , he wanted to prove his ability to create hits without necessarily creating a dance track. With classic hits like Nobody ft 2face , Number One featuring Flavour , One Naira ft Waje , Beef ( where he lyrically dealt with Iceberg Slim & Kelly Hansome) , he showed his true class .
He released Illegal music 2 which was the 4th project he would embark on. It was an instant success even with the upcoming acts he featured on the mixtape which include Loose kaynon, Pryse, phenom, 5 mics , Ruby, Maytronomy, EFA & X.O sanovoe. “Tell me doctor Am I ill, 4 years later and i’m spitting stilll” – MI . 2013 saw MI bag 2 endorsements from Globacom and also Lagos state government. Bone all that word play he did on his track Chairman, You guys should go listen to Akpata. He totally murdered the remix of Yung L‘s Red Rose track.
MI doesn’t just put words together to put out a record, He makes sure his lyrics connect with his fans. Incase you didn’t notice, most of these new hip hop acts copy his style of music. If you think MI isn’t still worthy to be number one Check out his list of Awards.
- Best Rap Album 2009 –HipHop world Awards
- Hip Hop Revelation 2009 – HipHop World Awards
- Best New Act of the Year 2009 – Nigerian Entertainment Awards
- Best Rap Single 2008 – HipHop World Awards
- Musician of the Year– Modemen Awards 2008
- Best Hip Hop- MTV Africa Music Awards 2009
- Best New Act- MTV Africa Music Awards 2009
- Best Use of Special Effects in a video-NMVA 2009
- Best Mainstream Hiphop Video-NMVA 2009
- Musician of the Year-The Future Awards 2010
- Musician of the Year – City People 2010
- Artist of the Year – National Daily 2010
- Musician of the Year – Malaysian African Entertainments Awards 2010
- Most Amiable Brand – Orange Wall of Fame 2010
Worthy Mentions
Yung6ix
Phyno
Skales
Boogey
Phenom
Ikechukwu
Ruggedman
Note: Being a good rapper is not about album sales or commercial value, Its about lyrics, delivery , connecting with the audience, consistency versatility and mot of all the number of hits you make.
Written by Dapo Osuntuyi (@dappyboy0489)
Wadup presents The 10 Most Gifted Rappers in Nigeria (Revised)
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