Igbo rap

Last updated

Igbo rap is a Nigerian style of hip hop music that originated in the Igbo-dominated southeastern region of Nigeria and has become more popular since 2000. The style draws its main influences from Igbo traditional music and African American music. Aside other derived styles, it can be combined with highlife, R&B and afro-soul. [1] Most artists and groups who perform Igbo rap usually deliver their lyrics in the Igbo language, although on some occasions, Igbo is blended with Pidgin English. [1]

Early pioneers in the scene include Mr Raw (formerly Dat N.I.G.G.A. Raw), Massai, Slowdog, MC Loph, Big Lo and 2Shotz. Today, many musical acts like Phyno, Ugoccie, BosaLin, Nuno Zigi, Zoro, Ifex G, Hype MC (who is the younger brother of Mr Raw), K-Large (who is considered the fastest Igbo rapper) Chimason and Tidinz are considered Igbo rap artists. [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [1]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rapping</span> Musical delivery involving rhythmic speech

Rapping is a musical form of vocal delivery that incorporates "rhyme, rhythmic speech, and street vernacular". It is performed or chanted, usually over a backing beat or musical accompaniment. The components of rap include "content", "flow", and "delivery". Rap differs from spoken-word poetry in that it is usually performed off-time to musical accompaniment. Rap is a primary ingredient of hip hop music commonly associated with that genre; however, the origins of rap predate hip-hop culture by many years.

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 M.C. Lida, M.C. Solaar, and Positive Black Soul.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Music of Nigeria</span> Overview of music activities in Nigeria

The music of Nigeria includes many kinds of folk and popular music, styles of folk music are related to the multitudes of ethnic groups in the country, each with their own techniques, instruments, and songs. Little is known about the country's music history prior to European contact, although bronze carvings dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries have been found depicting musicians and their instruments. The country's most internationally renowned genres are Indigenous, Apala, Ogene, Fuji, Jùjú, Afrobeat, Afrobeats, Igbo Highlife, Afro-juju, Waka, Igbo rap, Gospel, Yo-pop. Although Nigeria have over 250 ethnic groups but the largest ethnic groups are the Igbo, Hausa and Yoruba. Traditional music from Nigeria and throughout Africa is almost always functional; in other words, it is performed to mark a ritual such as the wedding or funeral and not to achieve artistic goals. Although some Nigerians, especially children and the elderly, play instruments for their own amusement, solo performance is otherwise rare. Music is closely linked to agriculture, and there are restrictions on, for example, which instruments can be played during different parts of the planting season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Munachi Abii</span> Nigerian actress (born 1987)

Munachi Abii is a Nigerian rapper/hip-hop artist, songwriter, television presenter model, and actress who performs under the name Muna. She is the winner of Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN) 2007. She is an Igbo lady who hails from Imo state.

Hip hop music or hip-hop music, also known as rap music and formerly known as disco rap, is a genre of popular music that originated in New York City in the 1970s. It consists of stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted. It developed as part of hip hop culture, a subculture defined by four key stylistic elements: MCing/rapping, DJing/scratching with turntables, break dancing, and graffiti writing. Other elements include sampling beats or bass lines from records, and rhythmic beatboxing. While often used to refer solely to rapping, "hip hop" more properly denotes the practice of the entire subculture. The term hip hop music is sometimes used synonymously with the term rap music, though rapping is not a required component of hip hop music; the genre may also incorporate other elements of hip hop culture, including DJing, turntablism, scratching, beatboxing, and instrumental tracks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">M.I Abaga</span> Nigerian rapper and record producer (born 1981)

Jude Lemfani Abaga, better known as M.I Abaga, is a Nigerian rapper and record producer. He rose to prominence in 2006 when his song "Crowd Mentality" became popular in Jos, Nigeria. His debut studio album Talk About It was released in 2008. The LP was succeeded by MI 2: The Movie (2010). Four years later, he released The Chairman as his third studio album. Abaga released the playlist Rendezvous in February 2018. In August of that year, he released his fourth studio album A Study On Self Worth: Yxng Dxnzl.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Olamide</span> Nigerian rapper and singer (born 1989)

Olamide Gbenga Adedeji, is a Nigerian rapper, singer and songwriter. He is one of the biggest and most influential artists in Africa. He records in Yoruba and English. In 2011, he released his debut studio album Rapsodi while signed to Coded Tunes. YBNL, his follow-up album, was released under his label imprint "Yahoo Boy No Laptop" aka 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.

Remilekun Khalid Safaru, known by his stage names Reminisce and Alaga Ibile, is a Nigerian singer, rapper, songwriter, and actor from Ogun State. He performs in English and his native language, Yoruba.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Headies</span> Nigerian music award

The Headies is a music awards show established in 2006 by the Hip Hop World Magazine of Nigeria to recognize outstanding achievements in the Nigerian music industry. The annual ceremony features performances by established and promising artists. It is broadcast live on HipTV to viewers across Nigeria. The 1st and 2nd editions of The Headies were held at the Muson Center in Onikan, Lagos State. Between 2010 and 2012, the awards were held at the Eko Hotel and Suites in Victoria Island, Lagos. Several media personalities in Nigeria have hosted the annual ceremony, including Darey Art Alade, D'banj, Dakore Egbuson, Banky W., Rita Dominic, M.I, Tiwa Savage and Dr SID.

Emmanuel Nwankwo, known by his stage name Emmy Gee, is a Nigerian rapper based in South Africa. His debut single "Rands and Nairas" peaked at number 7 on South Africa's official music chart. He started recording music at age 16 and worked with producer Shizzi in 2004. He co-founded an entertainment and clothing apparel company known as Teamtalkless.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Phyno</span> Nigerian rapper, singer, songwriter and record producer

Chibuzor Nelson Azubuike, populary known as Phyno Fino, is a Nigerian rapper, singer, songwriter and record producer. He started his music career as a producer in 2003, and is renowned for rapping in the Igbo language. His debut studio album No Guts No Glory was released in 2014. It was supported by four singles: "Ghost Mode", "Man of the Year", "Parcel" and "O Set". Before that he recorded singles like "What are you waiting for" and " Multiply" featuring M.I, Mr. Raw, Timaya and M.I Phyno has worked with artists such as Olamide, Wizkid, Davido, Timaya, Flavour, Ruggedman, Bracket, J. Martins and Mr Raw.

<i>No Guts No Glory</i> (Phyno album) 2014 studio album by Phyno

No Guts No Glory is the debut studio album by Nigerian rapper Phyno. It was released by Sputnet Records and Penthauze Music on March 20, 2014. The album features guest appearances from P-Square, Omawumi, Olamide, Stormrex, Efa, Flavour N'abania, Runtown, Ice Prince, M.I, Mr Raw, Timaya and Illbliss. Phyno enlisted Major Bangz, WizzyPro, Chopstix and JStunt to assist with production. Initially scheduled for release in November 2013, the album was strategically postponed in order to capitalize on the downtime of the Nigerian Music Industry during the first quarter of the year. No Guts No Glory was supported by four singles: "Ghost Mode", "Man of the Year", "Parcel" and "O Set". It was primarily recorded in Igbo and Nigerian Pidgin. Critical reception to the album was generally positive, with many critics commending its indigenous sound and lyrical depth.

Igbo highlife is a contemporary musical genre which combines highlife and Igbo traditional music. It first started off in the southeast region of Nigeria, during the 1920s in Lagos. The genre is primarily guitar-based music, with rare characteristic blend of horns and vocal rhythms. Igbo highlife lyrics are sung mostly in Igbo with occasional infusion of Pidgin English. One of the most influential composers and performers of the music is Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe whose career spanned over 40 years. Osadebe's discography comprises numerous popular songs including the 1984 hit "Osondi Owendi" which launched him on the world stage as a pioneer of the Igbo highlife genre.

Okechukwu Edwards Ukeje, better known by his stage name Mr Raw, is a rapper from Abia State in Southeastern Nigeria. He is a pioneer of Igbo rap, a genre that now appeals to a broad, mainstream audience.

Keshinro Ololade, known professionally as Lil Kesh, is a Nigerian singer and rapper. He rose to limelight after releasing the hit single "Shoki".

Afrobeats, or Afro-pop or Afro-fusion, is an umbrella term to describe popular music from West Africa and the diaspora that initially developed in Nigeria, Ghana, and the UK in the 2000s and 2010s. Afrobeats is less of a style per se, and more of a descriptor for the fusion of sounds flowing out of Ghana and Nigeria. Genres such as hiplife, jùjú music, highlife and naija beats, among others, were amalgamated under the 'Afrobeats' umbrella.

Emeka Akumefule, known professionally as Blaqbonez, is a Nigerian rapper signed to Chocolate City.

Akanbi Bamidele Brett, known by his stage name CHEQUE, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and a rapper. Cheque is popularly known across Nigeria for his hit song ‘Zoom’ which was released in 2020. In 2021, he won an award for Best Duo African HipHop at the All Africa Music Awards alongside Fireboy DML. He is currently signed to Phyno's Penthauze imprint.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Alim, Samy. "Translocal Style Communities: Hip Hop Youth As Cultural Theorists Of Style, Language, And Globalization" (PDF). International Pragmatics Association. Retrieved 25 September 2014.
  2. "Another Rap List: The 10 Most Talented Igbo Rappers List". Information Nigeria. 12 September 2013. Retrieved 24 September 2014.
  3. ""I am taking Igbo rap to the next level" – Phyno". Dailypost Nigeria. 8 May 2014. Retrieved 24 September 2014.
  4. "It is not easy to rap in Igbo –Mr. Raw". Daily Independent. Archived from the original on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 24 September 2014.
  5. "I started rapping in Igbo when nobody was doing it — Mr Raw". Vanguard. 2 August 2014. Retrieved 24 September 2014.
  6. "No day off is my life — Nuno Zigi". TheHeadbridge. 12 March 2022. Retrieved 14 March 2022..