Sasha P | |
---|---|
Birth name | Anthonia Yetunde Alabi |
Also known as | First Lady of Nigerian Hip Hop [1] |
Born | [2] Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria | 21 June 1983
Origin | Lagos, Nigeria |
Genres | Hip hop |
Occupations |
|
Years active | 1993–2014 |
Sasha P (born Anthonia Yetunde Alabi on 21 May 1983), [2] also known as the "First Lady of Nigerian Hip Hop", is a Nigerian rapper, musician, businesswoman, lawyer, and motivational speaker.
The last of eight children, she was raised by her single mother, an educator, whom she fondly called Sisi Fadekemi, after her father died. [3] She began her musical career as a child in Ibadan. [4] She attended the International School Ibadan and the University of Lagos earning a bachelor's degree in Law. [5] [6]
"I believe as an individual, I have a social responsibility to make a difference any way I can" "
-Sasha speaking about giving back to the community
Sasha P gained success at a time when there were very few Nigerian women in Hip Hop music. Subsequently, her success helped pave the way for other female rappers and musicians in Nigerian hip hop. [7] She began musical collaborations and was signed on to eLDee's Trybe records. [8] [9] Sasha P has remained one of the most prominent female artists in Nigeria since 2001, especially after the successful release of her debut album First Lady under her record label STORM. She has been nominated for various awards in Nigeria and abroad. She won the 2009 "Best Female Artist" award in the UK at the Women in Entertainment Awards for her first single titled "Adara". She was also nominated in dual categories (Best Female Video and Best Cinematography) by the SoundCity Video Music Awards for her second single Only One in 2009.
She was the first ever Nigerian female artist to perform at the 20th anniversary of the World Music Awards in October 2008. She was also the first Nigerian female artiste to win the Best Female Award at MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMA). [10] Besides Adara, She released Gidi Babe on her birthday in 2009. [11] She released a single in 2012 titled Bad Girl P. [12]
In 2013, Sasha P revealed that she was taking a break from the music scene to focus on her fashion business. [13] [14]
Sasha P was endorsed as a brand ambassador for Etisalat. She is also a cultural ambassador for her home state, Ekiti. [15] [4]
Sasha P pursued fashion as a bespoke designer in 2004. She created Nigerian high street fashion in December 2011 at L'Espace. In August 2012 she launched her own clothing label, Eclectic by Sasha, designed by herself. [16] [17] [18] [19]
In regard to community service, Sasha P said, "I believe as an individual, I have a social responsibility to make a difference any way I can", and this she has done consistently over the years. She was part of the "Save a street child" campaign in Lagos (January 2009) and the "Maternal Mortality" project (May 2009) [20] which aims to educate and help cater to the needs of young mothers who seek adequate medical care. She is also a motivational speaker [21] [22] and has worked with a campaign to end violence against women. [23] In 2012, Sasha P was the Olympic torch bearer for Nigeria. [24]
Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|
2004 | Sasha for "Emi Le Gan" | Best Upcoming Artiste | Nominated | [25] |
Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|
2009 | Sasha for "Adara" | Best Female Artiste | Won | [26] |
Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|
2009 | "Only One' | Best Female Video | Won | [11] |
Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|
2010 | Herself | Best Hip Hop Act in Africa | Nominated | [26] |
Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|
2010 | Herself | Best Female Artiste | Won | [11] |
Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|
2009 | "Only One" | Best Female Video | Nominated | [11] [26] |
Best Cinematography | Nominated |
Lana Michele Moorer, better known by her stage name MC Lyte, is an American rapper. Considered one of the pioneers of female rap, MC Lyte first gained fame in the late 1980s, becoming the first female rapper to release a full solo album with 1988's critically acclaimed Lyte as a Rock. The album spawned the singles "10% Dis" and "Paper Thin".
Dana Elaine Owens, known professionally as Queen Latifah, is an American rapper, singer, and actress. She has received various accolades, including a Grammy Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, a Golden Globe Award, three Screen Actors Guild Awards, and two NAACP Image Awards, in addition to a nomination for an Academy Award. In 2006, she became the first hip hop artist to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Melissa Arnette "Missy" Elliott, sometimes nicknamed as Misdemeanor, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer. She began on her musical career as a member of the R&B girl group Sista during the 1990s, who were part of the larger musical collective Swing Mob—led by DeVante Swing of Jodeci. The former group's commercially unsuccessful debut album, 4 All the Sistas Around da World (1994), was released by Elektra Records and met with positive critical reception. She collaborated with album's producer and Swing Mob cohort Timbaland to work in songwriting and production for other acts, yielding commercially successful releases for 702, Aaliyah, SWV, and Total.
Kimberly Denise Jones, better known by her stage name Lil' Kim, is an American rapper. She was born and raised in New York City and lived much of her adolescent life on the streets after being expelled from home. In her teens, she would freestyle rap, influenced by fellow female hip-hop artists like MC Lyte and the Lady of Rage. In 1994, she was discovered by fellow rapper The Notorious B.I.G., who invited her to join his group Junior M.A.F.I.A.; their debut album, Conspiracy, generated two top 20 singles in the United States and was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
Shawntae Harris-Dupart, better known by her stage name Da Brat, is an American rapper. Born and raised in Chicago, she began her career in 1992 and signed with Jermaine Dupri's So So Def Recordings two years later to release her debut studio album, Funkdafied (1994). Receiving platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), it became the first album by a female hip hop solo act to do so.
Eve Jihan Cooper is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and actress. Her debut studio album, Let There Be Eve...Ruff Ryders' First Lady (1999) peaked atop the Billboard 200, received double platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), and spawned the hit singles "What Ya Want", "Love Is Blind", and "Gotta Man". That same year, she guest featured on the Roots' Grammy Award-winning single "You Got Me", as well as Missy Elliott's single "Hot Boyz", both of which peaked within the top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100.
Munachi Abii is a Nigerian rapper, singer, songwriter, model, actress and beauty pageant titleholder. She performs under the name Muna. She is the winner of Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN) 2007. She is Igbo and hails from Imo state.
Naetochukwu Chikwe, stage name Naeto C, is a Nigerian rapper, Afrobeat artist and record producer.
"Diva" is a song recorded by American singer and songwriter Beyoncé. The song was written and produced by Knowles, Shondrae "Bangladesh" Crawford, and Sean Garrett for the singer's third studio album I Am... Sasha Fierce (2008). It was released as the album's third overall single in the United States alongside the third international single "Halo". "Diva" is an R&B song, which is set with a southern hip hop flavored groove, and carries a stuttering beat. Its lyrics deliver messages of independence and female empowerment. The song boasts a beat and a bassline similar to those of another Bangladesh 2008 production, "A Milli" by American rapper, Lil' Wayne; critics coined "Diva" as a "female companion" to the latter.
Weird MC is a Nigerian-British rapper, songwriter, and producer. Known for her English/Yoruba lyrics, Weird MC, who is also known as Shola Idowu and The Rappatainer, is one of Africa’s most popular female rappers, and one of the few Nigerian female artists associated with Afrobeat.
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.
"Video Phone" is a song recorded by American singer and songwriter Beyoncé for her third studio album I Am... Sasha Fierce (2008). It was written and produced by Beyoncé, Shondrae Crawford and Sean Garrett. A crunk song, it consists of simple lyrics and hidden innuendos. The lyrics refer to putting up a sexy display to be recorded on a video phone. The song was released on September 22, 2009, as the eighth single from I Am... Sasha Fierce. The extended remix, featuring Lady Gaga, was produced by Vybe Chyle and released on November 17. Soon after, Gaga featured Beyoncé on her song "Telephone".
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.
Aituaje Iruobe, known professionally as Waje, is a Nigerian singer. She first gained recognition after being featured on the remake of P-Square’s "Omoge Mi". Waje was also featured on the duo's 2008 hit track "Do Me". She contributed vocals to Banky W's "Thief My Kele" and M.I's "One Naira". In 2016, Waje was one of the four judges in the inaugural season of The Voice Nigeria. In 2018, she appeared on the final season of the Africa Magic telenovela Battleground.
Elohor Eva Alordiah, who is better known as Eva Alordiah or simply Eva, is a Nigerian rapper, make-up artist, Co-founder of leading SAAS company kobocourse, and an all-round entrepreneur. A native of Delta State, Eva was born and raised in Nigeria, and is regarded as one of the best female rappers in Nigeria. Her contributions to the Nigerian music industry have earned her several accolades, including one Nigeria Entertainment Award, one Eloy Award, and one YEM award. Her debut extended play, Gigo , was released for free digital download on 20 November 2011. Eva is the Co-founder of Kobocourse.com, partnering with her brother Keno Alordiah they are building what is to be the leading course hosting platform for African creators. She released her eponymous second extended play, EVA, in November 2014. Her debut studio album, 1960, was released in September 2016.
Oyenike Laoye, known professionally as Nikki Laoye, is a Nigerian recording artist, singer, humanitarian, songwriter, dancer and occasional actress, renowned for her musical expressions and stage performances. As a recording artist, Laoye's music has earned her several awards including The Headies Award in 2013 for Best Female Vocal Performance and the All African Music Awards (AFRIMA) in 2014 for Best Female Artiste in African Inspirational Music. She is also well known for the 2006 hit song Never felt this Way before, the 2013 dance single "1-2-3", the soulful ballad "Only You", which she remixed in 2016 featuring Seyi Shay and the love song Onyeuwaoma featuring Banky W.
Port Harcourt, a city of Rivers State located to the south of Nigeria, has a thriving music scene encompassing both native African and foreign-influenced genres. It plays host to numerous radio stations, prominent recording studios, such as the Street Rhymes Studios and other music institutions. As a state capital, Port Harcourt has one of the liveliest club scenes in the country as well as music venues, bars and restaurants. As of 2015, hip hop, pop, highlife and reggae are most popular music styles among young people in the city.
Olawunmi Okerayi, known by her stage name DJ Lambo, is a Nigerian disc jockey. Her song "Drank" was produced by Reinhard and received positive critical reviews and extensive airplay. She was signed to Loopy Music in 2013 before its merger with Chocolate City in 2015. She won DJ of the Year (Female) at the 2016 City People Entertainment Awards. Nigerian Entertainment Today (NET) listed her as one of top five Nigerian DJs to watch out for in 2015.
Belcalis Marlenis Cephus, known professionally as Cardi B, is an American rapper. Known for her unfiltered public image and lyrics, Cardi B is one of the most successful female artists in contemporary music. From 2015 to early 2017, she gained recognition on Vine and Instagram, as a cast member on VH1's Love & Hip Hop: New York, and by releasing two mixtapes.
Bukola Folayan, professionally known as Bouqui or B.O.U.Q.U.I is a Nigerian-American rapper, singer, songwriter, on-air personality, fashion designer and author. Her debut, self-titled album, B.O.U.Q.U.I earned her the Award for Best Female Act at the 2007 Award for Music Excellence in Nigeria (AMEN), as well as nominations for Revelation of the Year and Best Rap Album at The Headies 2007. Her video for the single Take You Away, won the award for Best Mainstream Video at the 2010 Nigerian Music Video Awards (NMVA).