Kamaal Ibn John Fareed, better known by his stage name Q-Tip, is an American rapper, record producer, singer, and DJ. Nicknamed the Abstract, he is noted for his innovative jazz-influenced style of hip hop production and his philosophical, esoteric and introspective lyrical themes. He embarked on his music career in the late 1980s, as an MC and main producer of the influential alternative hip hop group A Tribe Called Quest. In the mid-1990s, he co-founded the production team The Ummah, followed by the release of his gold-certified solo debut Amplified in 1999. In the following decade, he released the Grammy Award-nominated album The Renaissance (2008) and the experimental album Kamaal the Abstract (2009).
Reginald Noble, better known by his stage name Redman, is an American rapper, DJ, record producer, and actor. He rose to fame in the early 1990s as an artist on the Def Jam label.
The MOBO Awards are an annual British music award presentation honouring achievements in "music of black origin", including hip hop, grime, UK Drill, R&B, soul, reggae, jazz, gospel, and African music.
P-Square are a Nigerian music duo composed of the twin brothers Peter Okoye and Paul Okoye, who co-write and co-produce most of their songs. Noted for their artistic reinvention, musical versatility, and visual presentation, they are widely regarded as one of the most influential African acts of all time and one of the most successful music groups from Africa. They were integral to the evolution of the 2000s and 2010s African popular music. The duo was launched into the mainstream recognition following the release of the song “Senorita” in 2003, and later gain recognition after releasing their sophomore album Get Squared in 2005. The success of the album earned them a nomination at the MTV Europe Music Award for Best African Act in 2006. A prominent figure in the Africa popular culture of the 21st Century, P-Square was awarded Artistes of the Decade at the MTV Africa Music Awards 2015.
The MTV Africa Music Awards were established in 2008 by MTV Networks Africa to celebrate the most popular contemporary music in Africa. The 2008 and 2010 events took place in Nigeria, first in Abuja and then in Lagos. The 2009 event happened in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya each of the premiere awards were created and executive produced by Alex Okosi and Jandre Louw.
Dare Art Alade, popularly known as Darey, is a Nigerian multi-platinum Afro R&B singer, songwriter, record producer, philanthropist, humanitarian and entrepreneur. He is also the son of the African jazz musician and entertainer Art Alade and the creative director of Livespot360.
Jude Lemfani Abaga, better known as M.I Abaga or M.I, is a Nigerian rapper, songwriter, and record producer. He is widely considered one of the influential rappers in Africa. He gained mainstream attention after the release of his track song, "Crowd Mentality" (2006). Since then, he has released albums Talk About It (2008), MI 2: The Movie (2010), The Chairman (2014), The Guy (2022); playlist Rendezvous (2018), and A Study on Self Worth: Yxng Dxnzl.
Oladapo Olaitan Olaonipekun, also known as Dagrin, was a Nigerian rapper from Ogun, Nigeria. A film of his life entitled Ghetto Dreamz was produced in April 2011. He is recognized for paving the way for indigenous rap in Nigeria. He is widely considered one of the greatest Nigerian rappers of all time.
Olanrewaju Ogunmefun, better known by his stage name Vector, is a Nigerian rapper, singer and songwriter. He has released three studio albums, including State of Surprise and The Second Coming (2012). In anticipation of his second studio album, he released a mixtape titled Bar Racks. Lafíaji, his third studio album was released in December 2016. He also released a mixtape in October 2018, The Rap Dialogue, in an effort to keep the spirit of Nigerian hip-hop alive. In November 2019, his fourth studio album, Vibes Before Teslim: A Journey to Self-Discovery, was released.
Jagz Nation, Vol. 1: Thy Nation Come is the second studio album by Nigerian rapper and record producer Jesse Jagz. It was released by Jagz Nation on July 10, 2013. The album was primarily produced by Jesse Jagz, along with additional production from Shady Bizniz, Kid Konnect, GuiltyBeatz and Samklef. It has eighteen tracks and features collaborations with 9ice, Wizkid, Brymo, James Maverik and Lindsey Abudei. Musically, Jagz Nation, Vol. 1: Thy Nation Come is a hip hop and ragga record that incorporates elements of dancehall music. It was supported by the singles "Redemption", "Bad Girl", "Sex & Scotch" and "God on the Mic". The album received generally positive reviews from music critics, who characterized it as a "tour de force" and praised its production.
Remilekun Khalid Safaru, known by his stage names Reminisce and Alaga Ibile, is a Nigerian singer, rapper, songwriter, and actor originating from Ogun State. He performs in English and in his native language, Yoruba.
Olusegun Olowokere, known by his stage name Iceberg Slim, is an American-Nigerian rapper, and singer, widely known for his controversial self-proclaimed status as being "Better than M.I", which became the most talked about topic in the Nigerian hip hop space between June and August 2009, few months after he won the Nigeria Entertainment Awards, in the Best International Artist category.
Versus, also known by the longer title Versus: The Battle Line Is Drawn, is the fourth studio album by Nigerian indigenous artist 9ice. It was released on 7 December 2011 by Alapomeji Ancestral Records, alongside Bashorun Gaa. The album features a blend of Afrobeat and hip hop. The album was titled Versus because many artists are featured on the album, in which, 9ice is "versing" them, when, really, he's featuring them on his songs. Notable artists were featured on the album, including 2Baba, Banky W., Duncan Mighty, Seriki, Mode 9, V.I.P, Tiwa Savage, Wizkid, Dagrin, M.I, Ajayi Brovas, Kwaw Kese, Timaya, Kwam 1, and Wizboyy. The producers that worked on the album include ID Cabasa, Puffy Tee, Tee-Y Mix, Cheepho, Spellz, Duncan Mighty, E.L, and D'Tunes. The fifth track off the album, Iya Alariya, was supposed to feature veteran musician King Sunny Adé, but the label failed to make time to get Adé and 9ice in the studio.
