Top 10 best Nigerian debut Hip-Hop albums since 1999

Artist: 2Shotz

12 months of launch: 2004

Tracks/Period: 20 songs, 01:18:14

Hits: 1 – Carry Am Go

Label: Trybes Information

Options: 2 – Massive Lo, Del

Producers: eLDee

Excessive level: All the things.

Seems like: The story of your life.

Ideas: This can be a socio-politically charged physique of labor with the soul of basic Hip-Hop. It may not be 2Shotz‘s finest album, however it’s ok.

9) Album: African American

Artist: Sinzu (Sauce Child)

12 months of launch: 2010

Tracks/Period: 20 songs, 01:18:14

Hits: 1 – ‘Below G’

Label: Ostrakon Information

Options: eight – 9ice, Don Jazzy, Lynnx, Meaku, Banky W, Iceberg Slim, Ghetto P

Producers: Don Jazzy, Sossick, eLDee, Knighthouse, IKON

Excessive level: ‘Airplane Mode’

Seems like: IJGB that likes lamba

Ideas: Coming off ‘Cash Lengthy,’ Nigerian Hip-Hop heads weren’t satisfied by Sauce Child. In actual fact, a whole lot of Hip-Hop heads will nonetheless argue that African American was a median album – it was not. The primary half of the album is made up of pop data and the second half is made up of dirty Hip-Hop beats that the Nigerian Hip-Hop group couldn’t relate with.

Nonetheless, it gave Sinzu the arrogance to be Nigeria’s finest rapper in 2011 and elements of 2012.

eight.) Album: Everyone Loves Ice Prince

Artist: Ice Prince

12 months of launch: 2011

Tracks/Period: 20 songs, 01:16:03

Hits: 1 – Sip Simple’ that includes 2Baba Idibia

Label: Ostrakon Information

Options: eight – Yung L, J-Milla, Wizkid, 2Baba, Brymo, Wizboyy, Sean Tero and Samklef

Producers: Jesse Jagz, Samklef, MI Abaga, Chopstix, E Kelly and Wizboyy.

Excessive level: ‘Oleku’ that includes Brymo

Seems like: Chocolate Metropolis wished to earn a living

Ideas: In 2012, this album was named Greatest Rap Album on the Headies. However guys, when it dropped Ice Prince received a massacre from Hip-Hop head son Twitter NG. They hated his rap method and supply. They failed to know that there are alternative ways to make rap music. These Hip-Hop heads notably hated the industrial drive of Everyone Loves Ice Prince.

However this is the reality; that is a tremendous album that is getting older like nice wine. It additionally put Ice Prince on the entrance foot for a tremendous five-year run.

7.) Album: Free At Final

Artist: Freestyle

12 months of launch: 2007

Tracks/Period: 20 songs, 01:16:03

Hits: 1 – Sip Simple’ that includes 2Baba Idibia

Label: West Music

Options: Robert Peters, Niyola, 2Baba, Maideena, C-Mion, Sasha, Blaise, Mr. Emmanuel, Sound Sultan, Kage

Producers: Freestyle

Excessive level: ‘Sip Simple’ that includes 2Baba and ‘OK?’

Seems like: Numerous lyricism

Ideas: In 2008, this album was named Greatest Rap Album on the Headies over Son of The Soil by Ikechukwu. Some individuals nonetheless think about it an upset and it most likely is, however this album will eternally be wonderful for its incorporation of the Shady/Aftermath sound into Nigerian Hip-Hop.

6.) Album: Malcolm IX (Misplaced Classes)

Artist: Modenine

12 months of launch: 2004

Tracks/Period: 20 Songs

Hits: zero

Label: Ostrakon Information

Options: four – Callen, Blast, Sanchez, OD, LD Da Don,

Producers: Freestyle, Modenine, G-Lynx, Baron, Eldee, Mr Seth,

Excessive level: Elbow Room

Seems like: Lots bars you’ll proceed deciphering for the subsequent 20 years – sorry.

Ideas: Guys, Modenine already had the Ghana Should Go of written content material at Okokomaiko at this level. Coming off a radio gig, no person in Hip-Hop was shocked by what this album produced. For those who hadn’t heard about Modenine at this level, you have been most likely sleeping.

5.) Album: Ache Plus Work

Artist: Gino

12 months of launch: 2006

Tracks/Period: 17 songs • 01:10:44

Hits: zero

Label: MOBB/Obaino

Options: 5 – Sossick, M.Speech, Shank, C-Mion, Studd, Ghetto P, Phrase Play, Jeff, Slutter

Producers: Sossick

Excessive level: Farabale

Seems like: Modenine with a touch of Benin

Ideas: Lagos-bred Benin rapper, Gino was the delight of Nigerian Hip-Hop when this album dropped. Guys,his brother was a pupil at Yaba Faculty of Expertise when this album was made. Phrase on the road is that Gino and his brothers have been the primary to have a house studio amongst the underground rappers in Lagos.

This album was not particular for simply its bars, it was in regards to the manufacturing of a younger Sossick. Who on the time was a rapper-turned-producer.

four.) Album: Thy Album Come

Artist: Ruggedman

12 months of launch: 2004

Tracks/Period: 20 songs, 01:16:03

Hits: 2 – ‘Ehen,’ and ‘Baraje’

Label: Silver Tone Information

Options: 5 – Nomoreloss, Jafaar, Abounce, C-Mion, Josh Of Tatu Clan

Producers:TBA

Excessive level: ‘Ehen’ that includes Nomoreloss

Seems like: A mixture of mainstream lamba and Hip-Hop

Ideas: Guys, ‘Ruggedman was the troublemaker of his time. On ‘Ehen,’ his dissed Rasqie, Eedris, The Cures, Keep and extra. On ‘Massive Bros,’ he took purpose at Kenny Ogungbe and Dayo Adeneye of Kennis Music. This got here after he received a chunk of advise from Paul Play Dairo who informed him to combine his mom tongue and pidgin for efficient Nigerian rap music.

Ruggedman added his personal twist and floored all people with industrial music which earned criticism from Nigerian Hip-Hop circles. They felt he ‘offered out.’ In reality, this was a turning level for Nigerian Hip-Hop. This was a person who fearlessly went towards the Hip-Hop stereotype to facilitate relatable Hip-Hop data for everyone and received acclaim and awards for it.

In the identical vein, it additionally earned him a ‘Demise Blow.’

three.) Album: U Know My P

Artist: Naeto C

12 months of launch: 2008

Tracks/Period: 13 Tracks, 56:30

Hits: 1 – Kini Massive Deal

Label: World Well-known Akademy, Storm Information

Options: four – Ikechukwu, Wande Coal, Saro Wiwa, Morell

Producers: TY-Combine, VC Perez, Don Jazzy

Excessive level: Kini Massive Deal that includes Ikechukwu

Seems like: Posh music from ‘frosh’ struggling to be like mere mortals

Ideas: Phrase on the road is that U Know My P was accomplished and nothing was left however a single. So, Obi Asika ordered for a single for this album – he felt the album wanted one. When ‘Kini Massive Deal’ was accomplished, Naeto C and Ikechukwu went to South Africa and the remaining was historical past. When this album hit shops, it was a ray of sunshine in a burgeoning Hip-Hop tradition within the early elements of its golden period.

Until this present day, some individuals really feel U Know My P deserved Greatest Rap Album on the 2009 Headies over MI Abaga‘s Discuss About It.

2.) Album: No Guts, No Glory

Artist: Phyno

12 months of launch: 2014

Tracks/Period: 20 songs/01:16:53

Hits: 5 (‘Alobam,”http://www.pulse.ng/”Man of The 12 months,”http://www.pulse.ng/”Parcel,”http://www.pulse.ng/”Ghost Mode,”http://www.pulse.ng/”O Set’)

Label: Penthauze/Goretti Firm

Options: three – P Sq., Omawumi, Olamide, Efa, Runtown, Flavour,Ice Prince, MI Abaga, Timaya, Mr Uncooked Nwanne, iLLBliss

Producers: Main Banggz, Phyno, Wizzypro, JSTUNT

Excessive level: ‘Protected’ that includes Djinee

Seems like:A potpourri of dangerous tunes and a touch of vodka

Ideas: Earlier than this album dropped, it disrupted the soundscape with its personal model of business rap. At helm of affairs was Main Banggz whereas Phyno was spat hearth. If Nigeria will ever have its personal model of rap music, we now have to return to that sound or go somewhat ahead to Younger Jon’s serial insanity on ‘Awon Goons Mi’ and ‘Trigger Bother.’

Phyno was the producer-turned-swashbuckiling Igbo-speaking rapper with an avant-garde look. On ‘Obago’ he rapped, “East coast n**a banging within the west” and it was a truth. ‘Ghost Mode,’ ‘Obago,’ ‘Parcel’ and ‘Kush Music’ have been mega-hits earlier than his album dropped. When the album dropped, ‘Alobam’ grew to become a cultural second.

Phyno was the cool child with the cool vogue sense. ‘Alobam’ birthed merchandize and avenue tradition. If MI Abaga visibly merged rap with pop music, Phyno blurred the traces. This was a correct rap album with hits, essential acclaim and awards. ‘Parcel’ was rightly named Greatest Rap Single on the 2014 single.

The one purpose this album didn’t win Album of the 12 months was most likely as a result of Baddest Man Ever Liveth was in the identical class.

– Culled from Pulse Nigeria

1.) Album: Discuss About It

Artist: MI Abaga

12 months of launch: 2008

Tracks/Period: 18 songs/01:04:15

Hits: 2 (‘Protected’ and ‘Anoti’)

Label: Chocolate Metropolis

Options: Jesse Jagz, Ice Prince, Gabriel, Pype, Leony, Djinee, Blaize, YQ, Wizkid, Eben, Lindsay, Uche

Excessive level: ‘Protected’ that includes Djinee

Seems like:A potpourri of dangerous tunes and a touch of vodka

Producers: E-Kelly, Masterkraft, Jay Modern, Samklef, DJ Klem,

Ideas: What makes MI Abaga particular? Lots of people are inclined to ask that query. Nicely, as former Senior Editor of Pulse Nigeria places it, “The three biggest Nigerian rappers are Modenine, M.I, and Olamide. Whereas Modenine is the bar for lyricism and Olamide is the best Nigerian rapper to influence popular culture, M.I has the strongest discography.”

MI Abaga was an English-speaking Nigerian rapper who transcended realms into hits and popular culture relevance. He additionally gained awards that pop stars have been profitable. This album was an essential second that proved to Nigerian rappers that you are able to do it in case you perceive the way to work with sound.

– Culled from Pulse Nigeria

Honourable Mentions

Sasha – First Girl

Trybesmen – LAG Model

Knighthouse – Road Scriptures Vol 1