In the last few decades, the Nigerian hip-hop scene has experienced remarkable evolution. The genre has transitioned from being an imported sound to a vibrant and original part of the music industry, reflecting the diverse languages of the country. Forging its own identity, iconic groups, and variations that turned sub-genres, Nigerian hip hop is not only shaped by its roots. Still, it is evolving as new rappers redefine the genre with distinctive styles.

The history of Nigerian hip hop can be said to follow through distinct phases that mark its growth. The earliest phase began in the early 1980s with the importation of Sugarhill Gang’s Rapper’s Delight. This sparked interest in the genre, inspiring Lagos DJ Ronnie Ekundayo to record The Way I Feel Rap in ’81, a combination of funk/hip hop. This was also the first rap record in Nigeria and probably Africa.

The second phase represented the domestication of the genre to fit the Nigerian culture. This began in 1991 with the Nigerian musician Emphasis’ "Which One You Dey" record marking the shift from Americanism to Nigerian pidgin English. This indigenization continued with Junior & Pretty’s 1992 track "Bolanle," which mixed Nigerian pidgin with Yoruba and standard English, creating a multilingual characteristic that birthed the variations we see today.

The third phase, which is the phase of local dispersal, started around the late 90s and early 2000s. This was the period Nigerian hip hop gained mainstream media attention and presence and gave rise to iconic groups like The Remedies (with members Eedris Abdulkareem, Tony Tetuila, and Eddy Remedy) who also had successful solo careers individually. The group's debut album "Peace Nigeria" (1999) introduced tracks like "Sade," "Sakomo," "Desire," and "Judile," spreading the genre across the country. Also, the Trybesmen group (members: Eldee Da Don, Oladele, and T.K.O.) also played a part in the spread of the genre and are considered the pioneers of Nigerian hip hop.

Despite the emergence of many standard English rappers and the continuous release of rap tracks in Nigeria, the multilingual framework remains one of the most distinctive developments in Nigerian hip hop. This unique characteristic has earned a dedicated category at the prestigious HEADIES awards, making the genre more appealing to a wider audience.

Igbo rap, for example, characterized by the use of the Igbo language, Nigerian pidgin English, and traditional rhythms, was made popular by artists like Ruggedman, MC Loph, and Mr Raw with his tracks "Hip Hop Gyration" and "Obodo featuring Klint Da Drunk" in the 2000s. OG rapper 2shotz, who has made some comeback to the scene in recent times is also a pioneering artist.

Later, Illbliss, Phyno, and Zoro, further popularized this rap derivative with tracks like Ghostmode (2014), Abulo (2016), Grateful (2024), 40 FT Containers (2020), Achikolo (2016), blending rap with danceable Afrobeats tunes. This well-acceptable blend earned them spots in Nigerian mainstream music.

Yoruba rap music has been in the mainstream since the early 2000s with the likes of Eldee Da Don dominating mainstream rap music. His fellow pioneering Yoruba rap artists included Mode 9, Jahbless, Durela, and Da Grin. These carried the torch so later artists like Reminisce, Olamide, Vector Da Viper, and Ycee could follow suit, spreading the sub-genre with their raw, street-infused, gritty, Yoruba-language-dominated style.

Their counterpart, Hausa rap, while not mainstream, has carved out its own niche, particularly in the northern regions of Nigeria. The genre has produced notable artists like Zaaki Azzay. Subsequently, artists like Morell and ClassiQ have pushed the boundaries by rapping in Hausa and representing northern culture. Additionally, artists like M.I Abaga and Ice Prince, known for their use of standard English and Pidgin in their music, have also incorporated elements of their cultural heritage into their rap. Also, collaborations between local Hausa rappers and mainstream artists have helped Hausa rap gain visibility, bridging the cultural divides and showcasing the country’s diversity.

Since the mainstream domination of Nigerian rap music, collaboration has played a crucial part. Songs like "Styleee"(2016) by DJ Jimmy Jatt (feat. Mode 9, 2baba, & Elajoe) brought different styles and cultures together, demonstrating the collaborative spirit of the genre.

Another classic "Joor oh (Remix)[2011]" by Jahbless, (feat. Durella, Ruggedman, Iceprince, Eldee, & Reminisce) stood the test of time. "Oleku" by Ice Prince and Brymo fused different styles and became one of the most iconic Nigerian hip-hop tracks, reaching global audiences.

Also, we have seen rap stars collaborate and dish out tracks more than once, for example, Phyno and Olamide with "Ghostmode (2014)," Fada "Fada (2016)," "Onyeoma (2018)," "Blessings (2019)," "Do You Wrong (2021)," "Ojemba (2023)," and others.

Today, Nigerian hip hop has evolved into a genre that involves trap, drill, and Afrobeats influences. Artists like Blaqbonez, Odumodublvck, Dremo, Jeriq, Ladipoe, and Aguero Banks bring a fresh approach, combining rap with elements from global genres while still being distinctive and grounding their music in local culture.

Blaqbonez known for his humorous style and presence on social media has leaned in on the power of social media to connect with his fans. His hit song "Back in Uni (2022)" shows his uniqueness. Ladipoe of Mavins Records blends raps with melodic sounds, as seen in his song "Guy Man (2023)" featuring Bella Shmurda. Odumodublvck's 2023 14-track album "Eziokwu" peaked at number 1 in the Nigerian Top 100 albums, shooting him to international fame. These artists are shaping Nigerian hip hop, giving it a contemporary edge that resonates locally and internationally.

Well, comparing the lyrical value of the pioneering artists and current artists, one could feel a part of that distinction has been lost, especially with Lamba taking over the industry. Although the expressions have evolved, the essence of Nigerian hip hop remains —the idea to create an identity different from the Western influence and connect with the local culture. This foundation and digital evolution, have given the newer generation of artists the freedom to experiment and create hybrid songs, and the advantage to reach a global audience.

The cover design for the blog post titled, The Evolution of Nigerian Hip Hop.

The Evolution of Nigerian Hip-Hop Genre

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