Rap In Naija

As the saying goes, there can never be a new school with an old school. The Nigerian music industry in no doubt has attained certain heights in gaining global recognition, though the industry hasn’t reached its peak. One can either see a cup as half filled with liquid of half empty, it all depends on our individual perspectives.

A subsection of the industry is rap music or better still hip hop as commoners call it. This section of the industry of the industry started from the late 80’s with pioneers like Mr Kool, Troy Jedi etc. Rap took another phase in the 90’s, there came the emergence of the trouble makers, ruff rugged, Terry da rapman, Biglo etc.

The defining moment of rap in Nigeria started in early 2000 when a well-recognized rapper known as Rugged man released his diss track “ehen pt 1” where he directed his anger towards various hip hop music labelling them as below standard and too wack. This diss track wasn’t just to redefine rap but it was also a marketing strategy which worked and also gave opened to portal to new dimensions of rap in Nigeria. Rugged man met with one of Africa’s best in the game at that time in person of Modenine and the inevitable happened. There was a tussle for power and glory which was actually challenging for them but very helpful for the growth of the industry.

Then came the era of the short black boy from Jos, Nigeria. Jude Abaga aka M.I took the game to the next stage and changed the sounds. He was the first to give Nigerian rap music an international recognition due to the countless collaboration with other foreign artists. I call him the king of African rap.

Nothing lasts forever so they say. Rap has evolved lately in to several kinds but commonly trap. The new school rapper has made Nigeria proud by gaining a level of international recognition beyond our expectation. We now have dope rappers like Vector, Ycee, Yungsix, Dremo, Ice prince, Jago, Falz and many more. Most of the features in the new school rap are clearly defined with style, heavy play on words, metaphors, punchlines, verses and so on. I welcome you all you to the new level of the rap game. Sit back and enjoy the ride. Thank you