Indigenous rap had existed for some time now from the days of 2shotz, Biglo & Nigga Raw but i guess no one could bring Indigenous rap music to the lime Light until the late Da Grin stepped on the scene. Da Grin (Oladapo Olaitan Olaonipekun) was one of the first musicians to take Yoruba rap to great heights with His first album CEO which sold over 300,00 copies world wide before his painful death in April 2010 .
Ever wonder why Nigerians download Sarkodie’s songs without even knowing the meaning?
Its not just about the lyrics but its also about the rhythm and swag attached to it. Its about the lyrics and flow.
Indigenous music in Nigeria has grown and metamorphosed from the days of Akanchawa, Fuji and yoruba gospel to Afro-pop and serious street Rap. The Nigerian music market is very hungry and most times its so difficult for artistes to meet the rising demands of the fans. As i have said before 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.
Its about CONSISTENCY not one hit flukes.
So without wasting much time Here is Wadup’s official list of top 10 Indigenous rappers in Nigeria.
10 Classiq
Listen to Classiq – Sama
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Classiq relocated from Kaduna with the Finesse Ent crew to Lagos in 2012 to make his mark on the Nigerian music scene. His first big single was Sama which was released in June 2012. It was an instant hit as it gt lots of airplay across radio stations. He followed up almost a year later with Duniya which features Ruby.
Classiq is one of the new wave of northern born musicians influenced and proudly carrying the Hausa lyrics and style in their music. He joins the select few like Ice Prince in headlining the wave-making ‘Hausa Boy or
Aboki Swag
9 Black Pope
Listen to Black Pope – Amaka
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Black Pope has been flowing in Igbo rap since the days of Nigga Raw. Not satisfied with his level of fame in the eastern part of Nigeria, He relocated to lagos to take over the game. With songs like Life is a challenge & Amaka , He’s slowly building a good reputation amongst alaba boys as he’s currently getting lots of airplay amongst djs.
8 Falz (Folarin Falana)
Listen to Falz – High Class
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Falz the bad guy!!!
He has this witty, playful flow that allows his fans to play along with his music. His first single Cool parry was a super hit which got lots of airplay amongst DJs and TV stations. He followed up months later with High Class and the song is just as good as his first song. With more effort i can see him at the top of this list very soon.
7 Splash
Listen to Splash – 48
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The fists time i heard this sexy lyrical beast was when she did a cover from Edia’s 48. Yup she nailed it hard!!
Splash was originally signed to Obi Mikel’s record label MM Records before she left to join Augustpee Ent. With hit singles such as Church Agbasa, Onye Ije, & If dem like , she is set to take over the rap industry.
6 Seriki
Listen to Seriki – Sweet Love ft May D & Vector
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Seriki has been in the rap game since the days of 9ice and the Alapomeju crew. Even though most people often criticize him for his style of street rap, He has been able carve a niche for himself in the Nigerian music industry with songs like Small Jagaban , Baba O , Love Song , agbalumo mi , To ba Ya & undisputed .
5 Tipsy
Listen to Tipsy – GOD Punish Devil
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Standing out as an artiste is tough but standing out as an indigenous rapper in Nigeria is probably back-breaking. Here’s a female who has carved a niche for herself as one of the most relevant female rappers in Nigeria. The first time i heard her Agbero voice was back in 2010 after the death of Dagrin. She released a tribute video for Dagrin. For those who don’t know Tipsy had earlier tried out for a beauty pageant titled Miss West Africa before she released her first official single titled Ching Chong.
She bounced back in 2012 with her hit single titled Emi Naa Ni. In 2013 she released tracks like Prophetess Aiye , Tin Geh Geh ft Dammy Krane , Your Love, O Ka mi Lara . The Prophetess Aiye blew our minds with her hit single titled GOD punish devil which she recently released some months ago. She’s currently signed to Bigboyz Entertainment.
4 Pucado
Listen to Pucado – Ukwu Nka
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The first time i heard The bigger the Better The best, I was hungry so i guess the song didn’t sink in. Months later i heard Ukwu nka and the song was very addictive. When an artiste has a producer like Leriq who can make him look invincible, the result is always a phenomenal Soundgasm.
Ovie of NotjustOk also commented on Ukwu nka and he said ‘its a song that will grow on you’ and it did. He followed up with a breathtaking collabo with Kamar titled Imposter. though some people think he’s living off the fame of his fellow label mate Burna boy but i personally feel he’s building his brand himself.
3 Phyno
Listen to Phyno – Obago
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East coast rapper Now i’m banging in the west.
Phyno is probably the hottest artiste in the eastern part of Nigeria. His first hit Shut Down which was released in 2011 was a massive hit but it was nothing compared to the monster collabo with Olamide titled Ghost Mode. The beat was sick!! The flow was sick!!!! Trust me the song will make your speakers/headphones sick!!.
To prove his diversity, he did a cover for endia’s 48 last year and he nailed it. He followed up with hit singles like Obago and Kush/Street Music. His flow, swag , style and charisma makes him one of the most sought adorable rappers in Nigeria.
2 Reminisce
Listen to Reminisce – Ni’gboro
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Lyrically speaking Reminisce is probably higher than Olamide. He started his music career with his first single One chance which featured Jahbless & Alash back in 2007. 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*.
His sophomore album Alaga Ibile is set to hit stores November 2013.
1 Olamide
Listen to Olamide – Yemi my Lover
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Yes!!! Who else is would it be!!!
The way Olamide 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 2010 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.
Worthy mentions
Nigga Raw
Slow Dog
Zoro
K Large
Morell
N.B PLease note that this list is based on Diversity, Lyrical ability, Media awareness and Consistency.
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Top 10 Indegenous rappers in Nigeria
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