Nigerian rap music has a rich and diverse history that spans several decades. The origins of Nigerian rap can be traced back to the late 1980s and early 1990s when a few artists began experimenting with the genre.

One of the earliest and most influential Nigerian rap groups was The Remedies, consisting of Eedris Abdulkareem, Tony Tetuila, and Eddy Montana. The group gained popularity in the mid-1990s with their hit song “Judile,” which was a fusion of rap and Afrobeat.

Another early Nigerian rapper was Junior and Pretty, a duo made up of Junior Ekejiuba and Pretty Okafor. They gained fame in the early 1990s with their hit song “Bolanle,” which was a mix of rap and highlife music.

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, a new generation of Nigerian rappers emerged, including Mode 9, Ruggedman, Eedris Abdulkareem (who had left The Remedies), and Naeto C. These artists brought a new style and energy to Nigerian rap, incorporating elements of American hip hop and their own Nigerian cultural influences.

Since then, Nigerian rap has continued to evolve, with new artists emerging and the genre incorporating a wider range of musical influences. Some of the most popular Nigerian rappers today include M.I Abaga, Olamide, Phyno, Falz, and Reminisce.

In recent years, Nigerian rap has also gained international recognition, with artists like Burna Boy and Wizkid collaborating with American and British rappers and producers. The future of Nigerian rap looks bright, with new artists and styles continuing to emerge and push the boundaries of the genre.

Top Nigerian Rap Artists

1. Olamide: Olamide Adedeji, popularly known as Olamide, is a Nigerian rapper, singer and songwriter. He was born on March 15, 1989, in Bariga, Lagos State, Nigeria. Olamide started his music career in 2011 with the release of his debut album “Rapsodi”. He has since released several other albums including “YBNL”, “Baddest Guy Ever Liveth”, “Eyan Mayweather” and “Carpe Diem”. Olamide has won numerous awards for his music, including the Headies Award for Best Rap Album and Best Street Hop Artiste.
2. MI Abaga: Jude Abaga, popularly known as MI Abaga, is a Nigerian rapper, songwriter and record producer. He was born on October 4, 1981, in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria. MI Abaga is known for his socially conscious lyrics and his ability to address political and social issues through his music. He has released several albums including “Talk About It”, “MI 2: The Movie”, “The Chairman” and “Yung Denzel”. MI Abaga has won several awards for his music, including the Headies Award for Best Rap Album and Best Rap Single.
3. Phyno: Chibuzor Nelson Azubuike, popularly known as Phyno, is a Nigerian rapper, singer and songwriter. He was born on October 9, 1986, in Enugu State, Nigeria. Phyno started his music career as a producer before becoming a rapper. He released his debut album “No Guts No Glory” in 2014, and has since released several other albums including “The Playmaker” and “Deal With It”. Phyno is known for rapping in the Igbo language and has won several awards for his music, including the Headies Award for Best Rap Album.
4. Falz: Folarin Falana, popularly known as Falz, is a Nigerian rapper, actor and songwriter. He was born on October 27, 1990, in Lagos State, Nigeria. Falz started his music career in 2009, and has since released several albums including “Wazup Guy”, “Stories That Touch” and “Moral Instruction”. He is known for his socially conscious lyrics and has won several awards for his music, including the Headies Award for Best Rap Album and Best Street Hop Artiste.
5. Vector: Olanrewaju Ogunmefun, popularly known as Vector, is a Nigerian rapper and songwriter. He was born on August 7, 1985, in Lagos State, Nigeria. Vector started his music career in 2008, and has since released several albums including “State of Surprise”, “The Second Coming” and “Lafiaji”. He is known for his storytelling ability and has won several awards for his music, including the Headies Award for Best Rap Album and Best Rap Single.
6. Ice Prince: Panshak Zamani, popularly known as Ice Prince, is a Nigerian rapper and songwriter. He was born on October 30, 1986, in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria. Ice Prince started his music career in 2002, and has since released several albums including “Everybody Loves Ice Prince”, “Fire of Zamani” and “Jos to the World”. He is known for his smooth flow and has won several awards for his music, including the BET Award for Best International Act: Africa.
7. Ycee: Oludemilade Martin Alejo, popularly known as Ycee, is a Nigerian rapper, singer and songwriter. He was born on January 29, 1993, in Lagos State.

In recent years, Nigerian rap has continued to evolve, with artists such as Olamide, Falz, Reminisce, and Phyno blending elements of traditional Nigerian music with rap. Some Nigerian rap artists also incorporate local languages such as Yoruba, Igbo, and Pidgin English into their music, adding to the genre’s distinctiveness.

Overall, Nigerian rap music is an exciting and dynamic genre that reflects the diverse cultural influences and musical traditions of Nigeria.