HIP HOP IN NIGERIA ...THE JOURNEY SO FAR

HIP HOP IN NIGERIA ...THE JOURNEY SO FAR
Hip hop was recognised in the U.S as far back as the 1970's where a couple of black artists(Run DMC) hit the main stream.It really became a thing to relish in the early 90's with the emergence of rappers like Tupac Amaru Shakur,Nas,Jay Z,Dr Dre,Snoop Doggy Dogg, Ice Cube, Naughty by Nature and so on . But in the real sense,hip hop didn't really kick off in Nigeria until sometimes in the mid 90's.Then, It was only few artists and groups that were involved or relatively known in the game which included Idris Abdulkareem(of the Remedies),Trybesmen(Eldee,Freestyle and Kaboom),Wierd Mc(or better still known simply as Sola-Allen Avenue way back then),Lord of Ajasa, Thorough Breds,Komoblastic, Zaaki Adzay and so on.But their performance then was rated very low as they weren't really able to meet up with up their foreign counterparts.There were a lot of rap songs that would be referred to as "Junks" as their so called lyrics hardly made sense.
We gradually strolled into the new millenium in which a few artists emerged producing better rap songs than those their predecessors(though the standard wasnt still well rated).The artists/groups included Da Trybes(The refurbished form of Trybesmen which had by then recruited more capable hands like 2-Shots, Dr S.I.D, Del,Sasha,Blaze etc), Foremen,Swat Root(6 foot plus, Terry Da Rapman etc), Mode Nine, O.D,Dr Fresh,Pheroshuz, Cashino(UK),JJC and 419 squad(Mr Skills, M.P etc),AY(UK).Some of the older ones still kept up with their games even as member of some renowned groups started pursuing solo careers of their own in hip hop.
Meanwhile, some upcoming artists were silently struggling to pave their way up to the top of the ladder and little did we know that they were about to upstage the renowned artist.Suddenly out of nowhere came Ruggedman with his hit single "Ehen".This rap song really blew up the music industry in Naija particularly the hip hop side of it.The song was characterised by series of lashes directed on various artists particularly Idris Abdulkareem.I must admit at this juncture that it was this song that changed the face of hip hop in Naija up till date as every renowned hip hop artist went back to their drawing boards to restrategize.Ruggeddy Baba,as he his fondly called, ruled the rap game as the Rap King for a period of time with his Pidgin English lyrics that proved to be more of "originality" than just just some disorderly use of English. One of his songs even went on to to hit the top 40 hit jamz somewhere in Europe while he still effectively dominated the Nigerian scene.
Other rap artists too raised their game as we now began to appreciate their efforts by the rate at which fans now purchased more of their CDs than those of their foreign counterparts(although pirates didnt really help out). They were also well rewarded by getting invitations to perform at high class events.
A newly refurbuished Mode Nine also started stealing the show with his powerful and venomous lyrics and before we knew it he started giving Ruggeddy Baba a run for his money. There was now a very stiff battle of supremacy between the duo to be known as Naija's finest as there was competition at every award event for the best rapper as well as the best lyricist. This was the morale booster other hip hop artists needed as everyone came out with something extraordinary.Even the older ones became better.Rappers started using Pidgin English and their diverse local dialect as their own new means of communication to the public.Rappers that hit the waves with a bang included Gino, Bouqui,Wierd MC(Refurbished),Rooftop MCs,Sauce Kid,2 shots,Lord of Ajasa,Freestyle,Eldee,and so on.Every part of the country was well represented as artists started recieving accolades from far and wide with various foriegn awards (like Kora awards,Channel O awards etc) coming into the country.
These last 2 years has really been very remarkable with the emergence of artists like 9ce,DJ Zeez,Naeto C,Ikechukwu,Ill Bliss,Kel,Eva,Da Green etc and this goes a long way to prove that Naija is still yet to reach its peak in hip hop. But i must not fail to mention the impact of the new rap king.The rapper that made the "Mission Impossible" possible with a rap style that i can proudly say could reasonably compete with the best rappers in the world of music.Ladies and gentlemen give it up for Naija's finest-Mr Incredible(M.I)
Now i can comfortably rate Naija's rap game as 90% with the very best still on the way.Before i concluded this piece,i must not fail to appreciate the immense effort of DJs(Jimmy Jatt,J.A.J the Megadon, Kwame etc),producers,lyricists,corporate bodies,the media(Hip hop world, Sound city, Music Africa, Nigezie, Kennis Music etc) and organizers of award shows and talent hunt shows.Without all their combined efforts in shaping hip hop in Nigeria, i wonder what hip hop would be like.Thanks to you all so much for helping to "rebrand" Naija's Hip Hop game.
Finally without much ado, i rest my pen

Written By:OYEWOGA OLUKOREDE
Email address:kcute70@yahoo.co.uk
Phone no:08030789148