When I was much younger I used to listen to guys like Raskimo, Alex O, Orits Wiliki, Lucky Dube, Chaka Chaka, etc. But as the years went by I listened more to western rap music and almost forgot about our own Nigerian music. But all that changed in mid 2006 when I decided to really listen to Ruggedman’s thy kingdom come album, two years after it was released. Listening to that album made me pay more attention to Nigerian music and it’s amassing how fast the local industry has grown since then. I remain grateful to Rugged for bringing me back home just as i'm greatful to Morinho for making me like football; that's a topic for another day. You can’t believe the large collection of 9ja songs I have today on my laptop.
Today I’ll be reviewing some Nigerian rap artists that I’ve listened to their album based on my order of preference.
Number one on my list is Ruggedman.
I love his two albums.The guy’s delivery on the mic is superb. I get to hear and understand every word he spits both on his track and when featured. I like the way he switches styles on his track and none of his tracks sounds alike. In short there is no dull moment on ruggedman’s track and the guy does great justice to producer’s beat. He has this unique voice that needs no introduction. And never think of battling the rugged cos the guy can decide to release a 20 track album to diss you.
Number 2 is Gino.
Though new on the block but this dude is amazing. He is the only one on my order of preference that really gives rugged a good run for his money. I sometimes call him Nigerian Jarule, though he does not have Jarule voice but he most definitely has the attitude and the hieght and his voice is good and unique. His album I can assure u is very addictive. His track that seems like I cant enough of is player’s way. When you listen to Gino, it's like you're kind of taken into his world, his experiences, his pains and confessions like he did in the track pain plus work. And for those of you that think he came up too fast and wont last, you better start thinking again cos Gino is here to stay.
Number three is OD.
This guy is hardcore but mainstream lovers wont get bored by this guy cos he’s good.
My number four is Mode 9.
He’s got this unique voice and style. Modey is very good with metaphors and lyrics that has profound meaning but the reason he’s not my number one is cos, if I listen to a mode 9 album, I observe that he maintains the same style of rap in all the tracks. He doesn’t switch styles. The only thing that change is the beat and wording and that tends to get me bored. Haven seen him anchor the lyricist on soundcity, I think I kind of understand why he does the kind of music he does. He is fully persuaded that’s how real hip-hop is done. But no doubt he’s a terrific artist and I hope he’ll one day do a dance track for a change.
Number five is Sauce Kibaba.
The guy is good on the mic and he switches styles in his tracks and I have no problem with the fact that he sounds very yankeesh cos that’s where he at. Yebariba!! I love u men.
Other rap artist I like their works are FreeStyle, Terry da Rapman, Jafar, Abounce, Alabi. I also like some up and coming like Gangsta, MI, Neato C, Alaye, Silly.
FreeStyle being the current king of hip hop in Nigeria and despite how good he is couldn’t make it to my top 5 cos of his voice. His voice is too light for a male rap artist. He’s very good but the voice also plays a very important role. For those of u that might not like my review, go do yours
