Silver N
Definitely we all have some tracks and lines we believe are superb, the one’s many people consider to be better than the rest.
We have taken our time to list out the top 10best rappers this year so far, when it comes to how successful the rap tracks they’ve released are and the amazing lyrics and lines in them. They have received numerous accolades and were at least nominated for a large number of the prestigious awards. We thoroughly selected candidates for the “best” list, so make yourself comfortable and read their names below!
Olamide
Olamide for long has topped the list of Nigeria’s hottest rappers, he is so phenomenal and consistent.
His successful works in the last couple couple months puts him on top of this list, with hits like Science Student, Kana featuring Wizkid, and a couple other successful collabos has got him on top of this list. There is no way that you can mention anything abut rap music in Nigeria without mentioning his name.
Olamide is also called Olamide Baddo or BaddoSneh. Olamide rap’s with his native language Yoruba because almost all of his musical compositions can be heard in this language. His debut album was released in 2011 and was called “Rapsodi”. It brought him fame and popularity. Therefore, the next album has already been released under his own label YBNL Nation. There are almost all existing music awards in the Olamide`s collection.
Phyno
Chibuzor Nelson Azubuike better known as Phyno is a famous Nigerian rapper, singer, producer, and songwriter. He began his musical career as a music producer in 2003. Phyno loves his Igbo culture. Therefore, most of his songs are a combination of his native language and English. The musician admits that roots are of great importance to him.
It is difficult to count the number of his music awards! Among them Rap Artiste of the Year and Man of the Year.
He currently holds the record as the only artist in Nigeria to completely fill up a stadium during his concert titled ‘Phyno Fest’ in Enugu,he is also good friends with fellow indigenous rapper Olamide. If this was a competition, they would both hold a tie .
M.I Abaga
Jude Abaga, better known as M. I. Abaga, is a talented rapper and successful music producer. Since 2015, he is the CEO of Chocolate City label. He began his journey to the music peak in 2003, but fame came to him only in 2006 thanks to the song “Crowd Mentality.” The first studio album called “Talk Talk It” saw the world in 2008.
Jude, like his star colleagues, was nominated for many awards. The most outstanding were the nominations for the MTV Africa Music Awards (2009) and the International Act for BET Awards (2010).
He busted into the rap scene when it seemed as if rap was about to fade in Nigeria,he is one of the rappers that motivated a lot of other young aspiring rappers.
Falz
Folarin Falana commonly known as Falz is not only a rapper but also a singer, songwriter, and actor. He began his way to success in high school when he along with his friend created a boys band “The School Boys.” Falz became popular after the release of the debut single “Marry Me” as a solo artist. The rapper is best known for his controversial raps. Especially with he’s chain of his new singles; Talk, This is Nigeria and the likes of his album.
Every year he is nominated for many awards. But he managed to win only in the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards (2016) in the Best Actor in a Comedy Movie/Series nomination for “Jenifa’s Diary”, BET Awards (2016) in the Viewer’s Choice category of Best New International Act, City People Entertainment Awards ( 2016) in the Album of the Year nomination (“Stories That Touch”) and the 9th Nigeria Music Video Awards (2016) in the Best Afro Hip-Hop Video category (“Karashika”). Now the musician owns the label Bahd Guys Records.
Mode 9
Babatunde Olusegun Adewale better known as Mode 9 or Modenine, is a famous Nigerian rapper. He is the owner of seven studio albums and five mixtapes. Seven times he became the winner of The Headies Lyricist on the Roll.
Ice Prince
Panshak Zamani is better known as Ice Prince or rather, Ice Prince Zamani. Everybody’s debut album, Everybody Loves Ice, the Prince immediately lifted the musician to the top of the show business, so four years later he became the new vice president of Chocolate City. An incredible number of awards, the most significant of them are Best Rap Act of the Year, Best International Act: Africa, Best Hip-Hop Artiste of the Year, Best Rap Album, Song of the Year, speaks about his achievements.
His most successful song was titled ”oleku”. Ice prince is signed to Choc city which is owned by his fellow rapper
and friend M.I. The rapper raps fluently in English and also in Hausa language.
Although he hasn’t really been thrilling his fans lately with hit songs,that still doesn’t change the fact that he is still one of the best rappers in Nigeria.
Vector
Olanrewaju Ogunmefun or simply Vector the Viper is a prominent representative of Nigerian rap and hip-hop. To preserve the spirit of Nigerian hip-hop in 2018, he released the mixtape “The Rap Dialogue.” His voice is also known for advertising Sprite, a refreshing drink that has been broadcast in Nigeria since 2009.
Vector, as a conveyor, continually releases singles and video clips. He very often collaborates with other famous rappers, that is why his songs fly to all radio stations of the country with lightning speed. He is developing rapidly, and this is noticeable, because he has numerous victories, such as Nigerian Music Video Awards (2011) in the Best Mainstream Hip-Hop Video category, DYNAMIX Youth Awards (2012) in Recognition Award nomination, Nigeria Entertainment Awards (2012) for Best Rap Act, The Headies (2012) for Best Rap Single and also for Lyricist On The Roll, Nigerian Music Video Awards (2012) in the Best Afro Hip-Hop Video category, The Headies (2015) for Lyricist On The Roll and Best Rap Single. It`s really impressive!
Reminisce
Reminisce is one of he rappers that has been in the game for a very long time. His real name is Remilekun Abdulkalid Safaru.
He has been pushing his rap game since 2008,he started performing when he was still in secondary school.
The indigenous rapper has also released a couple of albums,and has featured in some hit tracks with fellow indigenous rappers Olamide and Phyno.
Illbliss
Illbliss or iLLBLISS succeeded in rap and hip-hop styles. He is the owner of the company “The Goretti Company”, which is engaged in the search and promotion of young unknown talents. For example, thanks to him we have heard about Chidinma and Phyno.
He achieved great success not only in producing but also in the rap. He won the Sound City Music Video Awards (2008) in the category The SMVA for Best Hip-Hop Video, South South Music Awards (2009) in the nomination The SSMA for Most Amateur Video for “Aiye Po Gan! (Enuf Space)” and The The NMWA (2012) in The Best Hip-Hop Video category.
Now the musician is the founder and also creative producer of the company LRR Records. In 2014, Nigerian music website NOTJUSTOK named him the best musician of the year, and TIME magazine – “one of the seven World Rappers You Should Meet.”
Naeto C
Naetochukwu Chikwe or Naeto C specializes in rapping and Afrobeat. “Son Of the Soil” debut album laid the foundation for his career. He has worked with many famous artists such as Dare Art-Alade, Sasha, GT the Guitarman, Saro-Wiwa, Nkiru, and Disconnect. In collaboration with them, he recorded over 60 songs, including the latest album. He received remarkable success after the release of the single “I Believe.” He won the MTV Africa Music Awards (2008) as Best New Musician, Channel O Music Video Awards (2009) as Video Of The EAR, and MTV Africa Music Awards (2009) as Best New Artist.
Yung6ix
Onome Onokohwomo known as Yung6ix perform not only in rap but also in hip-hop style. He began his musical career immediately after graduating from high school. The single “Oleku” brought him first popularity.
He is not afraid of difficulties or struggles with the musical crown. Therefore he purposefully moves towards his goal. So M.I. Abaga called him “King of the South.” He was nominated for the Nigeria Entertainment Awards (2012), The Headies (2012) and the Nigeria Music Video Awards, but won only the Abuja Music and Meritorious Award in the National Act of the Year category. Now promising performer continues to evolve.
Ruggedman
Michael Ugochukwu Stephens is known throughout Nigeria as Ruggedman or simply RuggedyBaba. He entered the world of music in 1999 with a few songs that received good reviews on the radio. After the success on the radio, he continued to grow rapidly and soon created his own label Rugged Records. The world tour with famous performers made him truly a high-level star. He became a recognized Nigerian rapper. Later he took part in the prestigious show Talve Show Star Quest Reality.
Jesse Jagz
Jesse Garba Abaga, better known as Jesse Jagz, is a rap artist who also specializes in hip-hop. His first music album was recorded with the group Gospel Insanity but was never released due to misunderstandings between team members. But this did not upset Jesse, he quickly formed a new group called “Eleven Thirty,” which right away became popular.
He works under the label Chocolate City, although he had a failed attempt to create his own label. “Wetin Dey,” “Nobody Test Me”, and “Pump It Up” are considered the best single in the musician’s collection. “Pump It Up” was the debut song and received positive feedback from listeners.
He received such awards as Splurge Magazine Best Rap Single (2008) in the category Best Producer of the Year, The Future Awards (2010) in the nomination Producer of the Year, and Hip Hop World Awards (2014) in the category Lyricist on the roll.
YCEE
Oludemilade Martin Alejo is better known as YCEE. He is not only a rapper but also a songwriter who is very popular in Nigeria. He began working in the music field in 2012 as a freestyle performer. He was immediately noticed by Tinny Entertainment, with which he is working to this day. The debut song “Condo” immediately blew up all the music charts and was nominated for Best Collaboration of The Year and Best Music Video of The Year in 2015.
He gained popularity among music critics and Olamide after the release of the song “Jagaban.” When in 2015 he was nominated for the MTV Africa Music Awards and the All Africa Music Awards at the same time, YCEE realized what it was to achieve real success. Also, he won The Headies (2015) in the Rookie of The Year category and AFRIMA (2017) in the Best African hip-hop nomination.
Dremo
Aborimo Femi Raymond or simply Dremo is a famous Nigerian rapper, songwriter, and producer who, at such a young age, achieved a scale success in the country. Dremo’s musical style is unique, it combines hip-hop and Afro beats.
The guy began his way to success at the age of twelve. After signing a contract with Davido Music Worldwide, Dreamo finally became a popular performer. And the debut single “Ojere” made him a strong competitor for the rest of the rappers. His most popular songs include “That Way”, “Iro Nla”, “Fela”, “Bigger Meat”, “All Work”, “No Play”, “Zone Out.”
Eva Alordiah
Elohor Eva Alordiah is better known under the stage name Eva Alordiah or shortly Eva. She is not only the best female rap singer in Nigeria but also a person who can be called an erudite. BBC Radio 1Xtra recognized this girl as the most attractive rap artist. And this is not all her merits! In her free time, Eva Alordiah reveals makeup secrets in her class at her own beauty academy, “makeupByOrsela,” which she has founded at the age of 21.
Eva was nominated for music awards many times and received such titles as the Female Rap Artiste of the Year in 2011, the Most Promising Act to Watch in 2012, the Best Rap Single (Female) in 2012 for the single “I Don Did It.”
In 2016, she released her debut studio album “1960”. Because of the small number of rappers in Nigeria, particularly among women, Eva Alordiah admits that she wants to inspire girls to be creative, just as she was inspired by the musicians she saw on TV.
