Hip hop music has been popular in Africa since the early 1980s due to widespread African American influence. In 1985, hip hop reached Senegal, a French-speaking country in West Africa. Some of the first Senegalese rappers were Munyaradzi Nhidza Lida, M.C. Solaar, and Positive Black Soul.
Dwight Equan Grant, better known by his stage name Beanie Sigel, is an American rapper from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is best known for his association with Jay-Z and his label Roc-A-Fella Records, to which Grant signed in 1998 and became a flagship artist. His debut studio album, The Truth (2000) was met with critical and commercial success, peaking at number five on the Billboard 200. Along with his solo career, Grant was the de facto leader of the Philadelphia-based hip hop collective State Property, which he formed with Roc-A-Fella labelmates, and who debuted in 2002 with a namesake film in which Grant starred. The group released two well-received studio albums.
Anthony Olanrewaju Awotoye, better known as Tony Tetuila, also regard as the golden father of Afrobeats artist from Nigeria. He was born in 1973, he is a native of Oro, Kwara state.
Tomasz Kuklicz, known professionally as DJ Tomekk, is a Polish-born German-based hip hop DJ and record producer. Rappers who have featured in his songs include Ice-T, Fatman Scoop, Khia, Xzibit, Fler, Sido, Kurupt, Lil' Kim, KRS-One, Torch, Afrob, Flavor Flav, and GZA.
Michael Ugochukwu Stephens, known professionally as Ruggedman, is a Nigerian rapper from Ohafia, Abia State, southeastern region of Nigeria.
Inetimi Alfred Timaya Odon (born 15 August 1980), better known by his stage name Timaya, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. He is from Odi, Bayelsa state, South-South Nigeria. Timaya is known for combining Nigerian pop with elements of dancehall, hip-hop, and soca, as well as his blend of Afro-Caribbean/Dancehall music. He is the founder of DM Records Limited, were he is also signed.
Jude Lemfani Abaga, popularly known by his stage name M.I Abaga, 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.
Enoch Adejare Adeboye is a Nigerian pastor, and the present General Overseer of Redeemed Christian Church of God. He served as the second national president of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria.
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.
William Alfred, better known as Aone, is a Nigerian-born American record producer and songwriter, signed to Rick Ross' label Maybach Music Group. He became active in the music industry in 2008 and is known for his work with urban music artists such as Juicy J, Birdman, Meek Mill, Young Buck, Rick Ross, Wale, Young Jeezy, D Block, The Outlawz, and others. His major influences in producing come from Just Blaze, Drumma Boy and Dr. Dre. His work is marked with a "You are now rocking with Aonebeats" tag in most of his recent music.
Kevin Christopher Belnavis, better known by his stage name Torch, is a Haitian-American rapper signed to Maybach Music Group as part of the group Triple C's. Born and with a childhood in the Castle Hill area of the Bronx, he was sent by his mother to live with his older sister in Miami, Florida, as a teen.
The fifth edition of the Hip Hop World Awards took place on May 16, 2009, at the Eko Hotel and Suites in Victoria Island, Lagos. The ceremony was conducted without a host. Wande Coal was the biggest winner of the night with five plaques, including Artiste of the Year. Don Jazzy won the Producer of the Year award. Hip hop duo Skuki won the Next Rated category. Da Grin's C.E.O won for Best Rap Album in a posthumous fashion. He was also honored by General Pype during the singer's performance.
Tobechukwu Ejiofor known as iLLBLISS, is a Nigerian rapper, actor and businessman. He is the owner of the talent managing outfit known as 'The Goretti Company', company responsible for launching the careers of Chidinma and Phyno, among others. He is regarded as one of the most influential Nigerian Rappers helping to pioneer the 'Eastern - Igbo Boy Movement' in Nigerian hip hop.
Sasha P, also known as the "First Lady of Nigerian Hip Hop", is a Nigerian rapper, musician, businesswoman, lawyer, and motivational speaker.
Kehinde "Kenny" Ogungbe, is a Nigerian DJ, music producer, television presenter and music executive. He is the founder and eponym of the label Kennis Music, and is the CEO alongside Dayo "D1" Adeneye. They own Kennis 104.1 F.M, Lagos.
Abdulrasheed Bello known professionally as Skillz or JJC Skillz is a Nigerian rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer and television producer.
Emeka Akumefule, known professionally as Blaqbonez, is a Nigerian rapper and singer signed to Chocolate City.
The Headies 2020 was the 14th edition of The Headies, a Nigerian music awards show held to recognize outstanding achievements in the Nigerian music industry. The ceremony took place on February 21, 2021, due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic instead of December 2020, the usual month for the awards. It was held at the La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort in Ibeju-Lekki
