Naptu, didn't capture the efforts of olisa adibwa the godfather of VJ in the mid 80's NTA 2 channel 5 Victoria island and Edward inyang - blackky that took the airwaves, with shina Peters ACE album*

naptu2:
The hip hop scene in Nigeria began in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The song “Rapper’s Delight” was a huge hit in Nigeria and a lot of people wanted to imitate the Sugar Hill Gang. However, hip hop was not always accepted in Nigeria. Rappers had to overcome the feeling by older Nigerians that “hip hop is not music” and that “it didn’t make sense for people to be talking all through a record”.

There was also the feeling that the early rappers were trying to copy Americans and yet they were not Americans.

Ron Ekundayo was a presenter on Radio Nigeria 2 in Lagos and he launched the hip hop scene with this effort.

Ronnie – The Way I Feel (1981)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekqyMBCPkG4



Dizzy K was better known as a pop star and he had a hit with “Baby Kilode”, but did you know that he also rapped? This was his rap song.

Dizzy K – Saturday Night Raps (1982)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JA8fNfM2Xak

---

This was probably the first rap song by a Nigerian that was accepted by Nigerians. It might be because the Nigerian members of the group were based abroad and it might also be because the group comprised of both Nigerians and Americans.

The group was made up of Nigerians Mr. Kool, Ebony Laoye and Monica Omorodion, and Americans Jedi and Scratch. Scratch had previously worked with the Sugarhill Gang.

Unlike previous Nigerian rap songs, this song had heavy airplay on NTA2 Channel 5 and Radio Nigeria 2.

Sound On Sound – I’m African (1988)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcW9S88aplU

---

Then came the 1990s and 3 songs that permanently changed the face of Nigerian hip hop.

This particular song was the first Nigerian rap song to become an international hit. It got to number 1 in Austria, number 2 in Germany, Greece and Portugal, number 3 in Switzerland, number 7 in Spain and Sweden and a massive hit right across Africa, Europe and in fact, around the world. It was on heavy rotation on MTV Europe throughout the early 1990s. It was covered by the South African group Dr Victor and the Rasta Rebels and by many other groups.

Dr Alban moved to Sweden to study dentistry. He became a DJ in order to finance his studies and he used the income from his work as a DJ to set up his dentistry practice when he graduated. However, he had become quite a popular DJ and he used that popularity to break into the music scene. Dr Alban had several worldwide hits in the 1990s and this was the first of them.

(This video was shot in Lagos and Sweden)


Dr Alban – Hello Afrika (1990).


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3I8BISQfWc


Bonus track.


This song got to number 2 on the UK charts, it was number 1 in Austria, Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Sweden. It got to number 3 on the Billboard Hot Dance Music chart in the US and it was a hit all over the world. The song was used in tampon adverts in the UK, stout advert in Nigeria and in several Bollywood movies.

Dr Alban – It’s My Life (1992)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zHm_6AQ7CY


This song was probably the first rap song by Nigerians in Nigeria that was accepted by Nigerians. It is also my favourite on this list. I think that one of the reasons that it was accepted was that it was in Pidgin English, so nobody could accuse them of trying to sound like Americans. It was also accepted because the storyline was very funny and my God it was a great song! It would be a hit if it was released today.


Emphasis – Which One You Dey (1991)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ulv4yaA8UDg





This song was the first rap song by Nigerians in Nigeria to become a mainstream hit. The song would have been in the top 5 of the Nigerian charts if there were Nigerian charts at that time. I remember that it won an award at the Nigerian Music Awards (NMA). The song was in Pidgin English, so you can’t accuse them of trying to sound American and everybody, both young and old, loved the song because of the funny story line. In fact, it was a form of musicomedy.

Junior and Pretty made it acceptable to be a Nigerian rapper and the idea no longer seemed strange to Nigerians. Lots of rappers and rap groups sprang up after the success of Junior and Pretty.

Unfortunately I can’t find a video of the song, but you can hear the audio if you click on this link.

Junior & Pretty – Monika (1991)

https://www.360nobs.com/2010/09/41-50-360-listening-ear-independence-day-special-nigerias-top-50-songs1960-2010/junior-pretty-monika/



Bonus track

Junior & Pretty – Bolanle (1994)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z87kHA5sD44

computermouse:
Naptu, didn't capture the efforts of olisa adibwa the godfather of VJ in the mid 80's NTA 2 channel 5 Victoria island

I have written about Olisa Adibua and Top of the Pops on NTA2 Channel 5 on many threads. He was also our MC at our rugby matches in 1988 and 1989, however, he was a VJ, not a rapper. He didn't release any landmark hip hop record.

Wow, so dinosaurs like me dey for Nairaland?

naptu2:


I have written about Olisa Adibua and Top of the Pops on NTA2 Channel 5 on many threads. He was also our MC at our rugby matches in 1988 and 1989, however, he was a VJ, not a rapper. He didn't release any landmark hip hop record.

Okay I understand you now

naptu2:
JJC & The 419 Squad - We Are Africans (2009).



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTNnuCqLzOY

I liked the 'A ti de' song better; the subsidiary, 'Big Brothers', I think, did that one. Respect to JJC's rap delivery on that track. Smooth, neat lines through and through.

Ikechukwu ft D'banj and Don Jazzy - Wind Am Well (2008).



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpHZKDmZxbE

naptu2:
Freestyle ft 2Face - Sip Easy (2007)



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCDRGWcfVY4

Honestly, Freestyle of Trybesmen was a true lyricist on the roll... I had very great expectations from him, Ice Prince, Jesse Jagz and Mode-9

Styl Plus ft Da Capo - Olufunmi Remix (2003).



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlIGjI38Xu8

Angelfrost:


Honestly, Freestyle of Trybesmen was a true lyricist on the roll... I had very great expectations from him, Ice Prince, Jesse Jagz and Mode-9

He is one of my all time favourite Nigerian rappers. I think he is underrated.

Naeto C ft Ikechukwu - U Know My P (2007).


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zl8Dg4oKTus

What a bad day to be a 1999 child,all the names here looks arabaic except shina peter sha,not dat i have listened to his music anyday(i dey mad).abeg make i dey listen 2 my fireboy energy o

I am enjoying this.
Thanks naptu2

Angelfrost:


Honestly, Freestyle of Trybesmen was a true lyricist on the roll... I had very great expectations from him, Ice Prince, Jesse Jagz and Mode-9

You didn't like Eldee and Kaboom as much?

yanabasee1:




Lol.... Indomie kid spotted....

Omo super blue kid, bub.

DenreleDave:
J2381 (Agbaya ) and ishilove (omode alarifin) fighting for FTC

Abeg who should have it??

Wos wobi, it's like you want to be unfortunate in life abi? Se fe s'oriburuku?

naptu2:


It was a hit worldwide. It was even popular in Chile.

That song has 100m views on youtube.
What!

Who is that guy?
I'm even singing along.
So catchy.



D'bang has a very unique voice. That voice can hold the stage for hours.

That whine am well, see as that guy dey change voice anyhow. A feat u will never scarce now. Yemialade has such voice too.

Seyi Sodimu - Love Me Jeje (1997)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bi33GuzaY6g

sassysure:
I am enjoying this.
Thanks naptu2

My pleasure.

naptu2:


He is one of my all time favourite Nigerian rappers. I think he is underrated.

He was just too underrated!!!... There were times I sensed he was in the wrong country or continent. So much talent!!!

What he did on the song "Sip Easy" with Tuface was 'Monstrous'!!!

Goldenfinger:
What a bad day to be a 1999 child,all the names here looks arabaic except shina peter sha,not dat i have listened to his music anyday(i dey mad).abeg make i dey listen 2 my fireboy energy o

There's nothing wrong with being a 1999 child. Besides, I'm sure you'll know a lot of names in the second part of the thread (from page 2 onward) and there's also nothing wrong with learning about the people on page 1.

Aystarz:


You didn't like Eldee and Kaboom as much?

They were alright... But, as far as Trybesmen was concerned, Freestyle was the true lyrical god!!!

Realdeals:
Daar communication (RayPower and AIT) plays a crucial role in the surge of Hip Hop music in Nigeria

Special shout out to Kenny Ogungbe and Dayo Adeneye

.. Before Kenny & D1, the guys that supported real hip-hop were Eddie, JAJ, Master Lee, Not forgetting the producer Nelson Brown

Nostalgia....

Kel, Kemistry, Shasha etc all faded off ....

ikorodureporta:
.. Before Kenny & D1, the guys that supported real hip-hop were Eddie, JAJ, Master Lee, Not forgetting the producer Nelson Brown

Not forgetting Benson and Hedges Golden tones....

That program played a great part in the development of hip hop.

There was also this concert that takes place at a beach in Lagos (can't remember the name now), it gave a lot of upcoming hip hop artist the platform to perform then.

Naptu2, if you can assist with the name of the show.

It is usually aired on Sunday mornings

M.I. Featuring Flavour - Number 1 (2011).



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ESq_L-bkz4

ntyce:


Not forgetting Benson and Hedges Golden tones....

That program played a great part in the development of hip hop.

There was also this concert that takes place at a beach in Lagos (can't remember the name now), it gave a lot of upcoming hip hop artist the platform to perform then.

Naptu2, if you can assist with the name of the show.

It is usually aired on Sunday mornings

That show hosted by Desmond Majekodunni (Desmajek)

ikorodureporta:
.. Before Kenny & D1, the guys that supported real hip-hop were Eddie, JAJ, Master Lee, Not forgetting the producer Nelson Brown

ntyce:


Not forgetting Benson and Hedges Golden tones....

That program played a great part in the development of hip hop.

There was also this concert that takes place at a beach in Lagos (can't remember the name now), it gave a lot of upcoming hip hop artist the platform to perform then.

Naptu2, if you can assist with the name of the show.

It is usually aired on Sunday mornings

You also have to give props to Obi Asika and Storm Records.

Let's see, if I'm correct then all the answers are connected.


I think that the concert that you are referring to is Lekki Sunsplash, which took place at Lekki Beach at Christmastime. Lekki Sunsplash was promoted by Toyin Munis.


Toyin Munis created Clapperboard in the early 1990s and he had a lot of time slots on LTV 8 (there were no private free to air stations in Nigeria at the time). One of the programmes that Clapperboard showed was Clapperboard Raps. I think that's the show that you are talking about.


Clapperboard Raps was produced by Obi Asika and it was shown on Saturday or Sunday mornings. There was a segment called Jimmy's Jump Off in which unknown rappers could freestyle over beats that were laid by DJ Jimmy Jatt. 2Face Idibia had his first appearance on TV on Jimmy's Jump Off.

I was going to write all this on the first page (but I forgot) because Obi Asika is associated with a lot of the acts whose works I've posted here. Junior and Pretty released their albums on Storm Records in the early 1990s (it had a slightly different name then) and Naeto C, Sasha P and others released their works on Storm Records in the 2000s.

J2381:
Come to think of it. I actually love the rap performed in OritS Wiliki's song Heart of Gold. That dude killed that song.

That is Manny. The rapper's name.

ikorodureporta:
Naptu2, u'v not done justice to this post. I was expecting to see a real evolution from where you started, to the present day hip hop...

Before Dr Alban, you forgot the likes of Zakky Adzay, Weird Mc, Mc Smoke, to others like Dr Fresh, Intrudah, Def o clan, Nutty Pin, lyrical undertaker, chop d bone, swat root, etc. These were the days when the American scene had Pac, Biggie, Naughty by nature, Lost Boyz, wutang, etc, & the Jamaican Ragga crew like Buju banton, mad cobra, mad lion, capleton, Terry fabulous, etc
That's what really inspired our artistes then..
U just forgot all those artistes that pioneered MMV - Mr Music & Video DJs contest, including the top DJs Waxy, Snoop tha Damaja, Fryo, Humility, Midas...& GML - MasterLee, plus the other oga radio rap presenters like Eddie & JAJ.. & Kennis Music

All these set of people evolved the hip hop scene


Mode 9 remains my favorite!

Lemmi remove my cap for you, for Intrudah, Nutty pin and GML. I think Intrudah is that guy that carries lantern, Nutty pin with the old school hair and GML with the Ruggedman big bros sound track on solid vibes

semid4lyfe:
Nostalgic memories.

Good old days of our black and white tv with a knob tuner for changing stations.

I recall there was a music video programme on NTA 2 Channel 5 at night in those days that always showed Dr Alban's "Hello Africa" video.

"Which one you dey" by Emphasis was cool too. For me, it was the first indigenous rap song by Nigerians.

Junior & Pretty came much later. I didn't particularly like them.

Don't recall Ronnie, Sound on Sound and Dizzy k. Hearing of them for the first time.



Bro, it's heart of stone. The featured rapper on the song was Manny Eke and truly dude killed the song.

Still remember the chorus - this is the song we've been waiting for so come change the heart of stone.

The video was dope too for that era.

Dizzy K Falola sang Ambushing Ambushing...... Then he sang African Jamboree.