The rap game has evolved over the years especially in the Nigerian Music scene and quite a lot of Legends have graced the stage. Recently, there’s been so much discussion surrounding who the top Nigerian rappers are in 2023, so here is a list of our own Picks. Read and enjoy.
1. OLAMIDE
Olamide Gbenga Adedeji (born 15 March 1989) is a Nigerian rapper, singer, songwriter, and record executive.
One of the most influential artists in Africa, Olamide started out as an indigenous rapper a protege to the late Dagrin. He rose to fame with his smash hit Eni duro produced by the ace producer I.D Cabasa. Since his breakout in the industry, he has been instrumental to the launching of the careers of several Afrobeats music stars via his YBNL platform. Adekunle Gold, Lil Lesh, Chinko Ekun, Fire Boy DML and Asake are beneficiaries of his Genius. Olamide has a record deal with Africa’s leading label, EMPIRE.
2. VECTOR
Olanrewaju Ogunmefun, better known by his stage name Vector That Viper, is a Nigerian rapper and songwriter born 7th August 1984 in Lagos, Nigeria.
He broke out in the industry with his smashing hit Angeli which features the legendary 9ice. Ever since his debut, he has gone ahead to release three studio albums, viz; State of Surprise and The Second Coming and TESLIM. In anticipation of his 3rd studio album, he released a mixtape called Vibes Before TESLIM. He also dropped a joint Project with Masterkraft.
3. BLAQBONEZ
Emeka Akumefule, known professionally as Blaqbonez, is a Nigerian rapper signed to Chocolate City.
Blaqbonez is popularly known for his distinct rap style as well as his creative ingenuity. In 2019, he was profiled by The New York Times as one of the new guards of Nigerian music. He is widely known for his controversial self-proclaimed status as the “Best Rapper in Africa” (abbreviated as “BRIA”), which became the most talked about topic in the Nigerian hip hop space between July and September 2019. After carving out one of rap’s most loyal fan bases, Blaqbonez unleashed his debut album “Sex Over Love” to a public that was more than ready to receive it. His unorthodox approach and humorous personality, resonated with the younger generation, and earned him co-signs from the likes of Wizkid and Burna Boy.
4. PsychoYP
Nicholas Ihua-Maduenyi (born 28 October 1998), widely known as PsychoYP, is a Nigerian alternative hip hop rapper, singer, and songwriter.
He is a member of the music collective Apex Village. He came into the music scene with a critically acclaimed mixtape, YPSZN, which earned him a nomination at the SAMAs, and the Headies for his second mixtape album YPSZN2. Dubbed “The Fresh Prince of Nigerian Rap”, he is regarded as one of Nigeria’s rap music pioneers in the alté music scene.
5. LADIPOE
Ladipo Eso popularly known as Ladipoe or Poe is a Nigerian Rapper & musician. On 28 February 2017, Ladipoe signed a record deal with Mavin Records.
He rose to prominence with the song “Feel Alright” where he got featured by SDC “Show Dem Camp”. He also released a new single “Jaiye” in March 2019 before dropping the hit song, “Know You” featuring Nigerian Joromi singer, Simi. He is also a member of the Nigerian supergroup Collectiv3 and goes by the alias, “Leader of The New Revival.
6. SHOW DEM CAMP (SDC)
Show Dem Camp (SDC) is a Nigerian rap duo composed of Wale Davies (Tec) and Olumide Ayeni (Ghost).
The duo were born in Nigeria but lived and grew up in European cities and the United States before returning to Lagos to pursue a career in music. Tec and Ghost were solo rap artists, till they met at a battleground only to discover they had the same stage name “Golden Child”. They soon came together afterward to form a rap duo with evolving stage names Loose Cannonz, BlackBoysDown, Third Eye Renegades and they eventually settled for Show Dem Camp. They have transitioned from being not just only rappers but to being a record label owner. Their first mixtape titled Clone Wars Vol. 1 dropped in the year 2010. They have since then released a number of albums under the Clone Wars Series and Palm Wine Music.
7. FALZ
Folarin Falana (born 27 October 1990), better known by his stage name Falz, is a Nigerian rapper, songwriter and actor who began his career while in secondary school after forming a group called The School Boys with his friend before his professional career as a music artist began in 2009.
Falz became more well-known after releasing the song “Marry Me” featuring vocals from Poe and Yemi Alade. He currently owns an independent record label called Bahd Guys Records.
8. CHEQUE
Akinbi Bamidele Brett (born March 23, 1995), known by his stage name CHEQUE, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and a rapper.
Cheque is popularly known across Nigeria for his hit song “Zoom” which was released in 2020. In 2021, he won an award for Best Duo African HipHop at the All Africa Music Awards alongside Fireboy DML. He is currently signed to Phyno’s Penthauze imprint.
9. A-Q
Gilbert Bani (born August 1, 1986), popularly known by his stage name A-Q, is a Nigerian rapper and songwriter.
His single “Agu Ji Ndi Men” was nominated for Best Rap Single at The Headies 2016.
10. ODUMODUBLVCK
Tochukwu Gbubemi Ojogwu (born 18 October 1993), popularly known as Odumodublvck is a Nigerian rapper, and songwriter, known for his stage performance and genre-blend. Odumodublvck is a member of the hip-hop collective Anti World Gangstars.
In 2022, he signed a record deal with NATIVE Records, in partnership with Def Jam. On 23 November 2022, he released his first single under the NATIVE, titled “Picanto” featuring ECko Miles, and Zlatan, which earned him his first chart entry on the Nigeria TurnTable Top 100 at number 79, and reached number 65. On 23 January 2023, he ranked number 4 on TurnTable’s NXT Emerging Top Artistes.
Nice List