Over the past decades, hip-hop from the heart of Africa has been a window into probably one of the most diverse scenes of rappers, all of whom contribute greatly to the universal musical identity. Artists who are not only redefining African music but tending to prove that indeed hip-hop was a language understood globally. The blog post looks at some of the best rappers in Africa who have carved a niche for themselves through their styles, lyrical prowess, and cultural influence.
1. Sarkodie (Ghana)
Sarkodie, born Michael Owusu Addo, is arguably among the most influential rappers in Africa. Rapping in both English and Twi (his mother tongue), his biggest strengths are his bilingualism and rapid-fire flow. Sarkodie has continued to raise the benchmark for African hip-hop. Starting in the late 2000s, right after his intrusion into the scene, he won a collection of various awards, from Best International Flow at the 2019 BET Awards to many Ghana Music Awards. His albums, among them “Makye,” “Rapperholic,” and “Black Love,” have placed him among the leadership voices of African hip-hop. The way Sarkodie combines local Ghanaian sounds with modern hip-hop beats has been unique for his artistry and opened him up to both national and international audiences.
2. Nasty C (South Africa)
Nsikayesizwe David Junior Ngcobo, better known as Nasty C, is a South African rapper who has shot to stardom on the wings of his great lyrical power and most dexterse style. Tagged “The Coolest Kid in Africa,” Nasty C broke into the music scene with the mixtape “Price City,” followed by his phenomenally massively successful album “Strings and Bling.” He worked with international artists such as T.I. Ari Lennox has also sealed his position as a star in hip-hop across the world. Having distinguished Nasty C is the storytelling ability and the flow that runs so smoothly to the ears, hence he happens to be among the highly respected rappers of his generation.
3. AKA (South Africa)
Another powerhouse within the South African scene of hip-hop goes by the stage name AKA, which Kiernan Jarryd Forbes goes by. AKA has been a staple in African rap since his breakout hit single “Victory Lap” back in 2011. He boasts a large number of awards and accolades to his name for his work, powered by gripping stage presence and polished production. Among these are several SAMAs and MTV Africa Music Awards. His albums are “Levels,” “Touch My Blood,” and “Bhovamania.” They indicate a one-of-a-kind genre that blends contrasts in different genres; thus, his music gets accepted by the majority.
4. Falz (Nigeria)
Folarin Falana is a Nigerian popular rapper, actor, and activist who goes by the stage name Falz. Falz has carved a niche in making his music a tool for social commentary, as shown in his works that bordered on corruption, police brutality, and societal norms of Nigeria. His song “This Is Nigeria,” a parody to Childish Gambino’s “This Is America”, went viral on account of its bold take on Nigerian society. And one of his ways of doing that was tapping into humorous takes on the truth, mostly touching on hard-hitting messages, that put him in one of the most unique voices in African rap.
5. M.I Abaga (Nigeria)
Jude Abaga, often given the stage title M.I Abaga, is a professional Nigerian rapper and record producer acclaimed as having been at the very center of shaping hip-hop in Africa. The self-proclaimed “Chairman” of Nigerian rap, M.I Abaga, stormed the highways of African rap with his first album, “Talk About It,” in 2008. This is without a doubt one of the African hip-hop classics, and it ranks him as one of the best acts on the continent—a career now stretching more than a decade with noted achievements in lyrical dexterity, good storytelling technique, and thoughtful content. He has won quite a number of awards, including the MTV Africa Music Award for Best Hip Hop and a couple of Headies.
6. Cassper Nyovest (South Africa)
Cassper Nyovest is a stage name for the born Refiloe Maele Phoolo. He becomes one of the most successful rappers in South Africa, ruling the airwaves with catchy hooks and the capability to fuse hip-hop with local South African sounds. He is undoubtedly the leading rapper across the continent, a performer synonymous with the hit single “Doc Shebeleza.” He has released several successful albums that have positioned him at the top of the list of the best in African hip-hop: “Refiloe”, “Thuto”, and even launched “Sweet and Short”. Besides, his record-breaking concerts have also made him well-known, with venues like The Dome in Johannesburg full to the brim. His entrepreneurial drive and talent sky-rocketed Cassper up the ranks as one of the key players in African hip-hop.
7. Khaligraph Jones ] (Kenya)
This is the Kenyan rapper credited for wreaking havoc on the East African hip-hop scene: Khaligraph Jones, alias Brian Robert Ouko. With this vocal tone and a great ability to freestyle, Khaligraph has remained relevant in the African rap game since he debuted. His important releases, like “Testimony 1990,” and hits such as “Mazishi” and “Yego,” really exhibit his moldability toward different styles and sounds. He has been able to catapult Kenyan hip-hop onto the international scene, easily being one of the best rappers on the continent.
8. Sho Madjozi (South Africa)
Born Maya Christinah Xichavo Wegerif, Sho Madjozi is a South African rapper and singer of international renown for her style and dynamic delivery. She fuses rap with traditional Tsonga music in a manner that brings a very new sound to African hip hop. She made a killing with her hit single “John Cena,” which went viral, even catching the attention of the WWE star. In Sho Madjozi’s enigma lies the ability to merge traditional African sounds with modern rap and be a standout in the creativity of being a lead woman in African hip-hop.
Conclusion
The African rap scene has been populated just as diversely and dynamically as the continent itself, with the different countries and their artists adding their different sounds and outlook on life to the genre. From the strong, fast-paced Twi raps by Sarkodie to the ranging styles of Nasty C, the rappers are indeed stretching the very possibilities of what African hip-hop might look like. While African music is now more in the global face time, these rappers are leading a charge to prove that the continent is a stronghold within the wider global hip-hop framework. It’s a credit not only to their talent but also to the rich heritage they draw their music from.
