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.
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 Afro-Caribbean/Dancehall music. He is the founder of DM Records Limited, where he is also signed.
Jude Lemfani Abaga, popularly known by his stage name M.I Abaga, is a Nigerian rapper, singer, 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.
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.
Elom Adablah, better known by his stage name E.L, is a Ghanaian Afrobeats musician, rapper, singer and producer.
Jonathan Matthew McCollum, better known by his stage name Rittz, is an American rapper. His debut album The Life and Times of Jonny Valiant was released on April 30, 2013, rising to number 8 on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. His next two albums, Next to Nothing (2014) and Top of the Line (2016) peaked at number 3 on the same chart. His fourth album, Last Call (2017), hit number 43 on the Billboard 200. All of these were released under Tech N9ne's Strange Music label.
Tobechukwu Ejiofor, professionally 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.
Legendury Beatz is a Nigerian record producing and songwriting duo, composed of siblings Uzezi Oniko and Okiemute Oniko. Their production style is deeply rooted in afrobeats as well as in several other genres, including hip hop, reggae fusion, moombahton and electro house.
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.
Brian Ouko Omollo, popularly known by his stage name Khaligraph Jones, is a Kenyan rapper known for his hit singles "Mazishi" and "Yego". He released his debut full-length studio album Testimony 1990 in June 2018. Khaligraph Jones has achieved numerous awards during his career. He was nominated for 'Best Male Artist' at the 2018 Afrimma Awards, won 'Best Hip Hop Artist' at the 2020 Afrimma Awards, and was nominated for 'Best International Act' at the 2020 BET Awards.
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
Anthony Ebuka Victor, known professionally as Victony, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and rapper. He is from the Orsu local government area of Imo State. He was influenced while growing up by artists such as Davido, Wizkid, Mi, and Falz. He is signed to a Nigerian record label called Mainland BlockParty and Jungle Records. He released a debut studio album Saturn, in August 2020. He released his first single titled Ina Benz, which was his first appearance in the music industry.
