Long time ago all Nigerian Rap Lovers listened to was Rap Music by foriegn heads. Especially from the U.S. the Jay Zs and the Nas’ of this world. But things soon changed, Nigerians soon got a grip of the trade and dished bars after bars until an industry emerged. But who where the pioneers?
1) Yoruba Rap Scene:
The First ever Yoruba rap pioneer wasn’t Lord of Ajasa as some people erronously believes.The first yoruba rap Pioneer was Uk based artiste Ay when he released Going make it back in The 1990s.
Lord of Ajasa then came through with hit singles Otiya and Esa lo bade before Dagrin came with Pon Pon Pon and took the game to an entirely different level and succesfully created an appealing commercial Yoruba rap game setting the pace for rappers like Olamide, Reminisce baseone, Jhybo, Oladips, Seriki etc.
The like of Tipsy Enupo also set the Pace for female Yoruba rappers.
2) Hausa Rap Scene :
The Hausa Rap scene also quickly peaked. Six Foot Plus’ ground-breaking verse in Jeremiah Gyang’s Na Ba Ka set the ground running for Hausa rap. Jesse Jagz’ jargo and Ice Prince Aboki did a lot of exposure to the Hausa Rap Scene and Classiq ( Sarki) and Morell ( Borno) are becoming known ambassadors of the Genre setting the pace for rappers like Khengz,thrillz,danbee,gunnz etc
Menne710 is also setting the pace as a female indigenous hausa rapper.
3) Igbo Rap Scene :
The Igbo rap scene is also now a major genre for artistes in Nigeria. Pioneers like Nigga Raw ( Mr Raw ) came through with Obodo and the likes of 2Shotz with tracks like Delicious. Other pioneers include Slowdogg and Black Pope laying the foundation for rappers like Phyno, Zoro,Klarge, Pucado, Bosalin, HypeMc,etc
Splash is leading the Female ibo rappers Movement as at now.
4) PidGin English:
Yes, the Pidgin English Rap scene was pioneered by the 80’s Group called Emphasis with the single ” Which One you day and then the likes of Junior and Pretty and The Trybesmen setting the pace for Rappers like Errigga,occasionally Yung6ix and Suspect.
Most Nigerian rappers now use pidgin in their rap.
The Efik Spitting Rappers can also be Categorized in this genre which Include Rappers Like Upper X and Ikpa Udo.
5) English Rap Scene – The English Rap Scene in Nigeria dates back to when Ron Ronnie Ekundayo released The Single ” The Way I Feel Rap.With pioneers rappers like Dizzy K,Cashman Davies ,Mr kool etc and the first rap album released by the group Sound on Sound 1988.
Soon Enough Came The 2nd Phase Pioneers like Blackface of plantashun boiz, Eddy Montana of the remedies,Eedris abdulkarem,Big Lo,Freestyle,TrybesMen,Xappeal..
English Rappers like Mode9,Ruggedman,,Sasha,WeirdMc ,Eldee the Don,Terry da rap man,Six foot plus,Solo Dee and Overdose all came hard into the game and Ruled the Industry and Can as well be considered Pioneers of the Rap genre.
The Likes of Ruggedman,MI abaga and Eedris pioneered the Commercially styled Rap most rappers now follow in d industry.
These people set the pace for rappers like Iceprince,phenom,Vector,godwon etc.
If the rapper is not here,then he might not be a pioneer act in the rap game .