The Nigerian music industry has brought about some of the biggest rap artiste in the world. In recent times, the music industry has grown so big that the artistes play alongside the big guys in the world music scene. Likes of Wizkid, Ice prince, Davido, Yemi Alade etc, has been in the loop with some of the world’s biggest artiste.
Today, we are bringing you the top 5 rappers in the Nigerian music industry.
The top 5 rappers in Nigeria
MI Abaga
Jude Abaga, popularly know as MI or MI Abaga is topping my list of the top 5 rappers in Nigeria and has always stayed relevant in the Nigerian rap industry. The Music producer and writer emerged in 2015 as the Chief Executive Officer of Chocolate City, following the stepping down of the former CEO Audu Maikori.
He won Best Hip Hop and Best New Act at the 2009 MTV Africa Music Awards,[3] and was nominated in the Best International Act category at the BET Awards 2010.
He rose to prominence in 2006 when his song “Crowd Mentality” became popular in his hometown of Jos. In 2009, he won the best Hip Hop and best new act at the MTV Africa Music Awards. He was also nominated in the best International Act category at the BET Awards 2010.
His critically acclaimed debut studio album, Talk About It, was released on 11 December 2008. The LP was succeeded by M.I 2 (2010). Four years after that, he released his third studio album titled The Chairman.
Olamide
Olamide Adedeji known by his stage name Olamide but popularly called Baddo, is another Nigerian rap artist. known for always recording mostly in Yoruba, his native tongue.
While signed to Coded Tunes in 2011, he released his debut studio album Rapsodi. And his follow-up album YBNL, was released under his label imprint YBNL Nation. The album was supported by the singles “First of All”, “Voice of the Street”, “Stupid Love”, and “Ilefo Illuminati”. On 7 November 2013, he released his third studio album Baddest Guy Ever Liveth. The album’s singles include “Durosoke” and “Yemi My Lover”.
On 17 July 2013, Olamide became the first Nigerian to sign an endorsement deal with Cîroc.[2] Olamide has been nominated and won several music awards, including multiple Nigeria Entertainment Awards and The Headies Awards.
Phyno
The Enugu State born rapper Azubuike Chibuzo Nelson known on stage as name Phyno , which is derived from the word phenomenal, a nickname given to him by one of his high school friends is also one of the 5 rappers in Nigeria.
Throughout high school, he learned to play the drums and piano. He also learned to create his own rendition of every recording he heard. He studied public administration at the Institute of Management and Technology in Enugu, and started profiting from music during his second year at IMT.
He started his musical career as a producer in 2003. He is renowned for rapping in the Igbo language. His debut studio album, No Guts No Glory, was released in 2014. It produced the singles “Ghost Mode”, “Man of the Year”, “Parcel” and “O Set”.
Vector
Olanrewaju Ogunmefun, better known by his stage name Vector tha Viper, is a Nigerian Hip hop artist. Vector has released two studio albums, his debut album State of Surprise (SOS) and The Second Coming.
He is the voice behind the Sprite commercial that has aired on most radio stations across Nigeria since 2009. In anticipation of his second studio album, he released a mixtape titled “Bar Racks”. He released his second studio album titled The Second Coming on 12 December 2012.
Ice Prince
Panshak Zamani better known by his stage name Ice Prince, is a Nigerian hip hop recording artist and actor. He rose to fame after releasing “Oleku”, one of Nigeria’s most remixed songs of all time.
Ice Prince won the 2009 Hennessy Artistry Club Tour. His achievements include one BET Award, one Ghana Music Award, three The Headies Awards, two Nigeria Entertainment Awards and two Channel O Music Video Awards. Ice Prince is currently signed to Chocolate City.
His debut studio album, Everybody Loves Ice Prince, was released in 2011. It was supported by the singles “Oleku”, “Superstar”, “Juju” and “Magician”. In 2013, Ice Prince released Fire of Zamani as his second studio album. The album contained the singles “Aboki”, “More”, “Gimme Dat” and “I Swear”. On 1 July 2015, Ice Prince was announced as the new Vice Chairman of the Chocolate City
