Thoughts on the Nigerian Hip-Hop Scene (part 1)
A couple of weeks ago I was pointed to Aba Boy’s brilliant post on the Nigerian hip-hop scene. He reminisces about Nigerian pop music in the 80s and compares it to the pop music of today, namely Nigerian Hip-Hop.
excerpt from: The Nigerian Hip-Hop scene - ababoy.blogspot.com
“Listening to some of our hip-hop ‘stars’ rapping in English (worst still - fake American twang) can sometimes turn into a very excruciating encounter. I am not trying to cut a critical remark just for its sake; the same will also apply to an American artist that decides to dive into the highlife scene. The artist will have to be very good to make it not sound like ‘crap’.
To cut a long story short, Nigerian hip-hop stars should ‘mc’ in either Pidgin English or their local language - cut the fake Yankee drawl. By doing this, some of them may perhaps achieve restricted crossover appeal, but more importantly they will essentially reduce the ability to make others cringe. Unfamiliar ‘artists’ picking fights with world-renowned superstars on planes in Nigeria wouldn’t really do the trick.
And the Videos….”
Aba Boy started out his post stating the difficulty he has keeping up with the music scene in Naija while based in Jand. Speaking from experience, it’s almost impossible to keep up with the Nigerian music scene while based abroad. The best material is often excluded from the trickle of CD/VCDs that make it to the boutique record stores or African food marts… leaving many of us to rely on the periodic shipments friends and relatives carry back by hand.
Everything Aba boy has said here is on point and for the most part is the rule rather than the exception, but don’t let these comments give you the impression that all Nigerian MCs are (for lack of a better word) wack. While Nigerian hip-hop may be in it’s infancy, the quality of some MCs clearly indicate otherwise.
There’s a lot more to discuss on this issue, but let’s save that for another entry.
For now, check out a Nigerian MC doing it right - Dr. Fresh on Osho Bam Bam!
Oya comment if you have something to say 
September 23rd, 2005 at 2:03 am
Totally agree with Ababoy, some of these nigerian artist of today are appalling, instead of concentrating on creating nice music, they spend too much time, trying to be “american” thereby spoiling the effect of the music and its painfull to listen to them.
Living in the western world, you tend to appreciate music from your country, the “uniqueness” its like a breathe of fresh air, especially when the Urban music scene in the west is so saturated with shit, it makes you feel proud to listen to them, like danfo drivers, totally loving tuface, its the ability of taking a western beat and “africanising” with broken english and whatever local language they are using, totally dope!
Oh well i hope that these new R&B bands in nigeria will learn that too much “american” in your song is not going to get you no where( when you damn sure know that you are nothing but a full blown nigerian!) but instead laughed at, but try making it, unique and enjoyable
September 23rd, 2005 at 2:53 am
I feel you man. the naija rappers are putting in work and must be accorded their due recognition.
on the african rap scene the Kenyan/Tanzanian/S.A axis are killing it. dope
love the wallpapers. please do some more. keep getting people asking me where I got them from.
October 1st, 2005 at 11:14 am
Naijajams - Excellent web site.
Thanks for dropping a plug of my blog on what I will call the best Nigerian music site I have seen so far - Yours. Exceptional Site.
My purpose wasn’t to come down hard on some of the hard working and totally real Nigerian MC’s out there, as Obifromsouthlondon (fellow 80’s kid) pointed out. But like Nneka said, distinctiveness is the feature that will take our hip-hop artists to the next level. Being mediocre imitations will never do the trick.
I love your site….
Aba Boy
UK
October 27th, 2005 at 12:18 pm
I complied with you all, is unfair by immitating order people instead of our style.But if they are doing it well still ok.All we need is meaning and good beat. for my own opinion. MY MY STUFf GO SHOW BY MARCH, I KNOW YOU WILL LIKE IT. Sidown de look
October 27th, 2005 at 2:24 pm
Meljingle, sounds good. Make una hit me up after you don record am finish.
November 10th, 2005 at 2:44 pm
wussup! i was born in washington, d.c. i am still nigerian. when i went to nigeria, i was glad to see that they were into hip hop. i l love hip hip. i was hoping that i could here some africanized rhymes. i was embarrassed when i heard them trying to sound american. then i saw this one video. i think it was the plantation boys. it was off da chain! they spoke pidgin, ibo, and something else. i give nigerian artists their props but i think they should represent. jamaicans here don’t try to sound american, and thats’ why everyone loves them because they do they own thing. i can’t wait til that one brave nigerian artist come out. i’ll be reping!
December 14th, 2005 at 3:49 am
Well to u my Nigerian reprentee i thank u all for representing african and nigerian as a whole .Each time i hear artist like Psquare i get intoxicated by their music the way they compose is absolutely out of this world .I enjoin them to keep it up. In those days i was one of those who realy hates NIgerian music but i came to a time when 2face Idibia came into reign and i have no option than for me to join the scene of Nigeria star artist …….. Keep it up my african artist am proud to be a NIgerian when i comes to Nigeria Music ……………….Am Gerald
December 27th, 2005 at 6:14 pm
hey wazzzuppppp u all, kin lo sele, hah haaha hhhh nnnnn..
ha, lets be real dis boys now adays are trying the make music that we like to hear thou you might want to turn the volume down, I think for you to judge or criticize them makes us egocentric for we do nothing at all to promote them, I will start off by saying it is true for you are at loss depending on your tribe for I am YORUBA and I have collecton that tickles me with boys mixing yoruba with english/pigeon/ibo/awusa e.t.c but you are right as to those that try too hard to rap like rugged man, but for those that have fun while they make music let them be, just a few list to wanna listen to (JJC & 419 & maintaina) anyways just dropping my 2 cents see ya later…..
January 8th, 2006 at 2:04 pm
hey wats up. i love the music. and keep it up. am so happy that nigeria is into the hippop thing. it is so kool. i love nigeria and i always will. tis my country i was born and raised there. the music is good. i love it so much. am waitin for the day u will collabo with 2face and jjc and rugged man and other ppl too. i will rate u guys a 10
February 1st, 2006 at 6:58 pm
Well, i totally agree with you Aba boy but i would have to be honest with you yeah!! We’ve got it in us but we find it hard to first, find ourselves instead of finding other traits/attitude. But, their a few artist and producers that i know that nigerian fans need to check out, never been heard of but have managed to diversify the style of music. Like one of the readers said we need to try promoting music in nigeria, and am speaking on behalf musicians,rappers,rnb artist and others.
Peace
Inferno City Recs.
February 12th, 2006 at 11:11 am
Being an artise myself I’m prompted 2 defend many nigerian artristes. even though i agree many artistes tend 2 overstress the accent i must say there are many who believe in speaking english the natural way they can without having 2 lapse in2 pidgin or some local language.sometimes i feel like passing across my message in a particular song in pure english. How does a new/upcoming artiste get reviewed on this site?
February 23rd, 2006 at 10:20 am
Can you pls send me the name and any info of the artist that did ‘JAGA JAGA’?
Thanks,
David
February 27th, 2006 at 11:11 am
I run a recording studio in the North and have to say that a large number of clients come in a try to sound like American rappers. They insist on swearing, rapping about guns etc. etc. and do it all in this weird ‘choppy’ fake American accent. At the end of any recording we have to go back and bleep out the swearing so it becomes playable on the radio stations.
Having said that we have a number of artists who we are working with who have international appeal and on that basis we have establised a record label. Having played samples for many people in Nigeria of the two female singers they almost all think that the artists are from UK or USA. They have relatively neutral accents. I took the music of the 4 artists to the UK where I played it for some industry professionals there and they said that what we had produced was as good as anything in the UKcharts. The music was played for someone from BBC Radio 1 last week and we got the same feedback.
Nigerian HipHop and R&B artists can make it internationally but like it or not it will be dificult in anything other than english. And that english has to be neutral or a natural and unerstandable english accent. Small phrases in broken english or a non-english language can pass through but more that that will be hard. I am not trying to say you cannot make it but…..
After all of that we are putting our efforts into breaking the artists locally whilst we prepare ourselves for the international market. Success in Nigeria will open doors elsewhere and the live show experience here is invaluable - its a tough and unforgiving scene!
The talent is here but it needs guidance. The industry is failing itself in that regard.
March 5th, 2006 at 12:48 pm
This is 2 David Vandy, da guy dat sang the song Jaga Jaga i think woz 2Face Idibia
March 5th, 2006 at 1:42 pm
EjeoDaMan Tozin & David Vandy… Jaga Jaga is by Eedris Abdulkareem:
here is a link to his official site: http://www.eedrisabdulkareem.com/
April 5th, 2006 at 8:40 pm
It’s simple, do you see Sean Paul, Damien Marley, or Beenie Man trying to sound like thier from New York or anywhere in America? In rap music it’s about having your own style and rapping about your life where you’re from. Although we can’t always understand what Sean Paul or Beenie Man saywe still love to hear their words. Rapping in Pidgin English or even native toungue isn’t going to put a damper on rap music in Nigeria or Africa if not help it. I know for a fact that when I heard 2face Idibia, Pa J, and Dr. Fresh rapping Pidgin, it was much better. I’m sure fans of hip hop would love to hear what we as Africans have been through, how we live , and what we have to say.
April 13th, 2006 at 6:46 am
I too much love Naija musics, Infact any time i listined to our musics I feel soo good i meant it’s so amazing but some the artists makes me feel disapointed.
However, Am 25 years old boy, and am talented for singing in a special way but i don’t have a better group to show up…. Please any body help! my telent is waisting out here. I promise i woun’t let you down.
Umu Naija keep it up…one love my people.
April 13th, 2006 at 6:50 am
Please Contact:
name: Aloy Mak
mobile: 234-8035416118, 234-8036135525
e-mail: makuof@yahoo.com
April 25th, 2006 at 9:35 am
what the hell is Nigerian Music?? is it that FELE nonsense?? Im sorry.. but I cant identity with his music.. cuz Im young and I dont speak Yoruba.. I have never heard Nigerian hip hop before,.. I can imagine how funny that would be.. like honestly.. i think Nigerians are FAKE.. like we try so hard to “act” westernize that we’re losing our roots.. like shyt.. America isn’t all what is cracked up to me.. I live in Canada.. and I would NEVER wanna move to the states ..even if I was offered a million dollars.. I just hope Nigeria in general would stop their nonsense.. and work on how to improve our own country.. rather than having everyone run off to some other country.. that other people worked hard to build!!
May 10th, 2006 at 4:54 pm
Dr. Fresh is fresh. Poisonous lyrics, nice punches, awesome delivery. Keep doing your thang and can someone let me know how I can purchase his CD.
Peace
May 11th, 2006 at 3:53 am
yeah dr freah is ill,the homie is reppin it from kano to lagos.started his shit from the k -city round here. the home of eedris n naija rap self .though his cds r hard to come by due the underestimatin or lack of knowledge of his punchlines by hiz distributors.one lov ,naija we holdin it down .golden brickz for life
May 11th, 2006 at 4:17 am
any cat not givin naija jamz props should b examined in the head.even when the untouchable deathrow started,lisen to snoops doggystyle n dr dres chronic u will find out that som song are not clear.ethin gat a begginin n naija niggers tryin to hold it down even though there are mo wack lyricist thn real m.cs in the game . the law of nature will soon apply n it will b survival of the fittest.holla bac .k-city, golden bricks to the heart
June 22nd, 2006 at 12:20 pm
hey bernie, why don’t you pack your belongings and move back to nigeria, I wonder why you reside in canada when you should be back home “and work on how to improve our own country .. rather than having everyone run off to some other country.. that other people worked hard to build!!”
June 26th, 2006 at 9:11 am
You ppl should start realizing that hip hop and Rap music was originally invented by the blacks in US and so if we have to do it,we must do it like them.Ya’all piss me off! Am out!
June 26th, 2006 at 11:28 am
See,let me tell you guys something.You cannot gain international recognition when u start doing Hip Hop in the Local way-i mean using pidgin and vernacular in your songs.You can only gain fame nationally and not internationally.Take 4 instance,MTV do feature Mode9 in its musical shows,but have any of you seen 2shots or Big-lo on MTV? The answer is a capital NO! 2face gained international recognition with African Queen and not with the other songs he did,he used English accent in African Queen! It is hightime we start realizing that the level of our dream will determine our success.Afterall,nobody would want to remail a local star all thru their lives.Peace.
July 8th, 2006 at 7:56 am
WTF ppl
July 9th, 2006 at 6:19 am
I beg stop the colo mentality! Nobody understands Sean Paul or Beanie Man but the world still dey jam for dia music. Fela, Sunny Ade were known worldwide by their fans, Majek Fashek is known by his fans worldwide, Awilo is known by his fans, therefore with time the rest of naija musicians shall be known. MTV already gave us a station in Africa and the only way we fit rep na to be original. If that makes dem local stars…hey….as long as your own loves your music it is satisfactory!
July 12th, 2006 at 4:09 am
Nigerian Hip Hop is not getting the full scope of Hop Hop. I think you guys are missing out. Even here in America if you are from a certian area you listen to s certain style of Hip Hop. New York use to be the place, but west Coast tokk over. In the late 90s U. S. south is reighning supreme. I think I here a Nigerian with southern beats and a southern U. S. flow it would be tight
July 14th, 2006 at 5:43 am
Men,hit me with the latest in town luv ya.
July 15th, 2006 at 4:16 am
go to bet.com. It will have the latest. Right now that YUNG JOC, ITS GOING DOWN. FIELD MOB is hot and that new LIL JOHN, SNAP YOU FINGERS is the joint. If you want a list of songs to download off limwire i can write them down for you. If you have an e-mail address i can send you the videos. Africa stay up from Black Yankee in America.
July 31st, 2006 at 5:48 am
i’m happy to have come upon dis site.im a graduate student researching d nigerian hip-hop culture.wht do i think of d nigerian hip-hop scene–well, i think dt it’s a culture(i.e d nig hip-hop culture)that’s still evolving, still seeking originality.if it appears like our local artistes are aping foreign models,it’s certainly an inevitable development.it’s simply part of globalisation process.if we understand d dynamics of globalisation, esp in its synchretic manifestation and in how global experiences are localised thru creative interactions,then it should not be difficult for us to accept what’s happening on our hip-hop scene as positive and inevitable.
August 2nd, 2006 at 12:00 pm
1st the dude who says nigerian hip hop has to be in english should listen to 2face’s nfana song and 1st gaou (although not nigerian). those songs will let him kow its all about the music & rhythms, not language.
2nd the lunney who says he lives in canada but thinks the music would be shit should try listen to some of the songs b4 he passes judgement. call it what u want, hip hop or not, some of it is real good music.
August 3rd, 2006 at 12:54 pm
man we need a lot more flavor in the nigerina rap game and we are seeming to get it now coz sauce kid is a problem.. the kid got the yankee swaager, yankee accent, the flows, the charisma and he’s a cool lookin cat……. i think he is the future of african rap as a whole coz whoever has been runnin that title for the last couple of years hasnt made major moves……i see endorsements coming for sauce kid in the nearest future.. even the tattoo of naija boy on his arm, is a marketable thing, so why dont u think he can take naija rap to the next level? holla…….its naija’!
August 4th, 2006 at 6:40 am
raggae is originally Jamican,hip/rap is originally American,Afro-Beat is African or should i say Nigerian.
I think what Nigerian artist should is try as much as possible to sound and act original.There are lost of Mc out there how are off-d-hook.U ve tribes men,ruggedman,wiredmc,Black Face….the list goes on and on.The one thing that keeps them going is there originality.These forums also tells the level of awarness in Nigeria now,I will recommed that Nigerians artist should try and use this site to sampl opinions,,,them i so impressed by what i see and read on this site….yall keep posting….halla.
August 4th, 2006 at 6:20 pm
I AM RUFF MATO FROM LAGOS I JUST WANNA TELL U GUYS THAT I ALL ARE DOING A GREAT JOB COS U MAKE US FEE ALIVE WITH MUSIC
August 4th, 2006 at 6:22 pm
I just wanna tell u all that i love u guys u keep it up cos with music we are alive
August 6th, 2006 at 6:18 am
Im from the states and I stumbled on this site by accident. I saw the Sauce Kid Video, I was not impressed with the video at all. He is trying to be Westernized, People like me can tell the difference. Hes not from the west, He is imitating a Western flow and it shows. Reguardless if he live in the states before On a better note its good to see Nigerians trying to do their own thing. If Africans are going to be successful in this buisness they need to do someting in the Hip hop world no one has ever seen before. Like James said be original.
August 8th, 2006 at 12:32 am
the name nigeria drops a big and positive bomb. i reside in southern africa and it’s always”u are my africcan queen” and in ma heart i say, yeah that’s ma brother tuface. my neighbour down here also wished we could compile all the nigerian movie sound track into a music collection. i also envisage them doing it right on mtv base. in all i know we should do our own thing as i can’t imagine a zulu trying to speak ibo. but some of the naija artist have really immitated nicely. to me sauce kid feat. mike okri was a crunkd up hit. hip hop is african and no matter how we do it i think it should be acceptable ’cause its naturally in our genes.
August 16th, 2006 at 4:43 am
omo sauce kid wanna rap die…the guy is on fiyah… got nominations for best hiphop video at channel o awards and people are here misyanning.. na u sabi… when the guy drive pass u in a nice whip then u’ll lknow music is payin him! peace out y’all
August 17th, 2006 at 1:36 pm
omo sauce kid dey run things.. forget what you saying.. omo them show the making of the video for youtube.com form looking at the kind people wey dey carry camera…….u go know say them pay kishi nothin do u…….holla 4 sauce kid by the 25th of august……… http://www.channelo.co.za holla!
August 22nd, 2006 at 10:23 am
LET’S BE HONEST, ADMITIVE,AND REALISTIC IN NIGERIA WE VE’ARTIST WIT DIFFRENT TALENT BUT NO GOOD FANS TO SURPPORT OR HELP OUR MUSIC GROW DATS Y?LIKE D MUSIC IDUSTRIES IS ALOT OF MONEY BUT IF U DON’T VE DAT SURPORT OR MONEY TO MOVE IT FOWARD DEN WE GIVE UP THERE THE TALENT’DIED. WE NEED SOMEONE TO SUPPORT US.I LUV NIGERIAN I AM FROM THERE BUT I LIVE IN BELGIUM.2 FINGERS IN D AIR FOR ALL D GIRLS BOYS MEN WOMEN IN DAT HOOD LUV YA ALL.
August 22nd, 2006 at 10:04 pm
Cool Music, I love this site, keep it comming, thanks.
August 25th, 2006 at 11:54 am
lets vot for the kid sauce…. the guy is making us proud and making our country name shine…….even by jus the mere buzz of nomination.. i hope everyone ere has registered to the website and everyone has been voting on a daily basis..thats what it is about.. you know what da f it is..its naija!
September 4th, 2006 at 2:49 am
usp i like u guys men de go jo
September 20th, 2006 at 9:40 am
sounds like you guys have got your shit together. i’m feeling you.
na wa, for our boys who just dey follow follow. i have something for you though,
http://www.myspace.com/forhabitsake
September 25th, 2006 at 8:49 am
11 and Im a nigerian and proud to be one and yes i been to nigeria because i live in MD now and i like the music like styl plus, 2face, and much more and i dont like the comment bernie made it was rude and i was annoyed by it i cant let him talk about my country like that without me saying any thing but anyways im ok with the Nigerian music when they speak pigeon and especially the language that they may speak and yoruba which iam.
September 30th, 2006 at 11:23 pm
Thanks for the information, I needed a pick me up.
October 4th, 2006 at 11:35 am
Hello members and owner of the this website.i reallyappreciate what you guys have got out here but for an eye of critic i will love that you improve more on the colour of the website.Morestil you should try as much as possible to drop in some songs you can permit your visitors to download.Moreover it will be nice if you put more pictures and not only forcuss on artist from your country Nigeria you should try to diversify and put othere african artist and also those that perform well in the European scene.An also try to download inteviews from the artist you discuss with.Thats what i can say for now.I am a cameroonian and will be comming to Nigeriasoon and will love to meet animators over there so i can work with.I do a radio program in my country.A program based on youths and urban cuylture based mostly on RnB,Rap,HipHop etc evreything that concerns musicwise.Nevertheless big up to yall n keep it peace.ONE LOVE.Lol
October 6th, 2006 at 12:12 pm
Yo mi brethrern. I love it when it is real. Naija for life, even when i live in Babylon. Afrom bia ni
October 6th, 2006 at 5:00 pm
highlight me
October 17th, 2006 at 2:27 pm
Naija hip-hop for life! We are here to take over the world baby……watch out for “CIRO ENTERTAINMENT” coming soon. Uncle ciro
November 13th, 2006 at 11:11 am
yo we just keep criticizin tha mceez n errbody in tha game… what we need is support(not much fans in 9ja).. yeah we gat mad talent in hurr… mode9 not tha best lyricist in 9ja, i’ve heard better but they dont have tha opportunities coz there arent enough fans to support ‘em. n we dont need to rap in pur languages or pigeon english… u ever heard tha word versatilty? thats wot we have in 9ja
‘n for tha RnB…. we gat a real problem there… no originality(just a few r real) n tha ones that stick to broken lang dont have recognition in africa.
December 12th, 2006 at 5:07 am
i wanna join this site coz i just wanna make it in lfe please how can i become a good celebrity as a gospel music musician and actor (up coming)
January 14th, 2007 at 5:27 am
man i agree with wot u said. i live down east london nd its really sad and irritating wen u listen to nigerian artits trying to be american or british. the worst ones are p-square (tryin to be like usher, micheal jackson, wyclef e.t.c.)and eedris .a. no offence but if dey reduce the use of american accent and use pidgin english instead i think their music will sound better. i even argue with mi coz bout this but his like ,na wot do the audience want dem to if ppl like p-square do not have opportunities like tuface and all sorts of nigerian musicians now known around the world.but pls come to think of it tuface didnt use fake american accent it was just the fact that his video was good.
January 18th, 2007 at 6:58 am
truth be told, naija hiphop is really improvin’. we only need to sound more original like doin’ stuffs in pidgin english and our local languages same way dem fat joe do their thin in latino and dem beanie & sean paul do their thin’ in jamo. we got real mcs reppin’ naija like freestyle, lord of ajasa, 2shotz, mode9 (althou’ sounds american), ruggedman, mcs from ajegunle and other underground mcs doin’ their thin’ in their hoods. with skills like these and originality, i bet we’ll rule the hiphop world soon!
February 1st, 2007 at 10:50 am
i really think obiwon is d greatest musiciam has ever had from his biggest fan osaze
February 1st, 2007 at 9:59 pm
The reason Jamaicans have success in Hip Hop is because, KOOL HERC, labeled the father of Hip Hop is from Jamaica, bringing the Break Beats to New York (South Bronx). Jamaicans have always had a strong influence on Hip Hop. Nigerians, nah, never.
February 20th, 2007 at 1:25 pm
Im from the states and I stumbled on this site by accident. I saw the Sauce Kid Video, I was not impressed with the video at all. He is trying to be Westernized, People like me can tell the difference. Hes not from the west, He is imitating a Western flow and it shows. Reguardless if he live in the states before On a better note its good to see Nigerians trying to do their own thing. If Africans are going to be successful in this buisness they need to do someting in the Hip hop world no one has ever seen before. Like James said be original. i want you all to wait am see mine ablum that to let you know that nija is great
March 28th, 2007 at 5:04 am
I’m a black man from London, England and I’m also of Nigerian descent and I know alot about hip-hop/rap and it’s history. In reply to Black Yankee, yes Kool Herc (a Jamaican) did play an important role in developing hip-hop, but that is not neccesarily mean it’s a reason as to why Jamaicans are successful in hip-hop. If you must know, the so-called successful Jamaican rap artists being spoken about here are reggae/dancehall artists, NOT rappers, so read the replies properly bro. Sean Paul and Beenie Man are not what I call rappers. There are NOT too many successful rappers of Jamaican descent either, I can only name a few (Biggie, and Busta who else?). And also if you read the history of rap, DJ Kool Herc tried to play reggae to American crowd and they did not like it, so he switched his records to soul, funk etc (read Rap Attack by David Toop), so what Jamaican influence was there? None! And of course Nigeria has had an influence in hip-hop….African-American music (including rap) originates mainly from West Africa and Nigeria is in West Africa. The musical and oral tradition of the griot and verbal duelling (rap’s roots) had been well established in West African/Nigerian culture for centuries and handed down to their African-American descendants, who later turned the art into what we-call ‘toasting’ (which the Jamaicans copied), which was an early form of rap before all this hip-hop. The only real Jamaican influence on hip-hop was bringing in sound systems and turntables for block parties and that is it. Most of rap music’s roots and influence comes from West African and African-American musical traditions. Some American platinum rap artists in fact have Nigerian roots like Chamillionaire, Lil’O, Akinyele, and Jadakiss. Other famous American rappers have direct African roots like Styles P, Jean Grae (South Africa), Akon (Senegal), Lisa Left Eye Lopes (Cape Verde) and the execllent Papoose (Sierra Leone). So you are wrong my friend. If anything hip-hop/rap music, like most contemporary black music has it’s deepest roots and influences from BLACK AFRICA (including NIGERIA) and NOT Jamaica.
PS. Ask any knowledgable Nigerian or West African and they’ll tell you that RAPPING is an oral tradition in their culture (griots) and has been for centuries.
March 28th, 2007 at 5:13 am
By the way most of the successful rappers and MC’s in London where I live are also of Nigerian and West African descent. In the UK we have the grime music scene(a popular form of UK hip-hop) and most of it’s best artists are West African and Nigerian, like Dizzie Rascal, Lethal Bizzle, Skepta and the Mitchell Brothers. Many UK rappers are also Nigerian and West African. Black Twang one the earliest UK rappers to gain respect is Nigerian, and more UK rappers like Freddie Kruga (he’s Nigerian) and Ty (Nigerian) and Estelle (Senegal). In Europe, like France nearly all he best rappers are West African like MC Solaar (Senegal). Come on man, us Nigerians and West Africans have had the biggest influence in hip-hop/rap of everyone - WE AFRICANS CREATED IT!
April 2nd, 2007 at 12:17 pm
Dear (Hip Hop World)
I’m a rap lover of both local and foreign acts and like Fela’s son, I’m wondering - wondering about what’s going on between two hot rap stars currently on the Naija hip hop scene.These two seem to be throwing punch lines at each other (though without naming names). I wonder, could it be that that one is trying to teach the other a thing or two about the rap game, or is it just about getting to the number one spot by eliminating the competition. However, it’s for sure that it’s about to get ugly cos they’re spitting game at each other in peace or war.
From their albums, it’s almost obvious that one wants the other to simplify his rap to blend with Naija hip hop stereotypes, while the other wants the former to amplify his rap and break free the hype. In other words, it’s just another battle between Hardcore and Commercial.
Commercial’s saying … “Hey Hardcore, You spit some over-metaphorical- type-sh** that Naijarians just don’t understand (damn! are we that dull?) and Hardcore’s saying … “Yo! Commercial You’ve gone soft, and you’ve fallen off your initial rap stand” (but hey! It works for him)
Although both claim not to be willing to battle with the imaginary other (No names! Remember?), Commercial’s telling Hardcore to do away with the ‘yankie’ ebonics and switch Mode from abroad to abode, while Hardcore’s telling Commercial to use more Rugged lyrics and stop spitting candy bars like a hyped up rapstar.
Commercial’s saying … “Hey Hardcore, Your stuff’s not Naija enough ( I believe that opinion’s based on Hardcore’s previous album, cos the new one’s more Naija than his), and Hardcore’s saying …”Yo! Commercial,Your flow’s not tight enough” (He should understand that the flow’s for the dough, so it’s not personal, It’s strictly biz).
As long as it won’t get physical, I’m cool with this subtle lyrical duel between the two rap skools, and if rap’s an acronym for ‘Rhythm And Poetry’, I’d say that Commercial’s got more R than P and Hardcore? more P than R.
I believe Commercial would like to stay on top of his game and not fall victim of the Naija rap revolution he started. That is, by not fading off like the pseudo- rapper he eliminated from the rap scene to get to the spot he’s in.Maybe he should step up the ‘P’ in his R-A-P to ret more R-E-S-P-E-C-T or else the joke’ll eventually be on him. And maybe Hardcore could grab more fame if he steps up the ‘R’ in his rap game and ultimately turn more butter to cream.Maybe they should just do a collabo and we’ll all have a ball. But hey! I’m just another critic, what do I know about the rap game afterall.
Yours Sincerely
Ericssn
May 21st, 2007 at 10:23 am
Yeah my brother, we understand that you are talking about the two best rap artist’s in Nigeria,Ruggedman and Modenine.You have realy said it all.We have to do it the Naija way,we don’t have to do our rap like Americans .We have to do it with our language and most importantly to keep it real,just like Ruggedman has been doing it.That is why he remains the best hip hop artist in Nigeris
May 21st, 2007 at 11:41 am
My brotha, where have you come from whith such a melodious, harmonic, angelic, etc, etc,…..voice. Your number one song in The Bahamas right now African Queen is very very hot. The lyrics are heart throbbing. If a guy sings his woman a song like that, she means the world to him. Continue writing and publishing because right now you have the attention.
With love
number one fan,
Dominique
May 22nd, 2007 at 12:59 pm
Greetings.
This is my first post, and I’m impressed with a lot of the insightful comments on the Nigerian music scene.
I’m a 44-year old London-based Nigerian musician trying to finish off my debut album which, God willing, will be released late summer. I haven’t been back to Nigeria since 1994 (yeah, I know, long time!) so I’m not very familiar with what’s happening now. I hope to visit this summer. I was in a band called Projekt, who were active on the university scene and were regulars at the usual Lagos live music venues, particularly Tunde and Francis Kuboye’s(RIP) Museum Kitchen/Jazz 38, so I do have some experience of the old scene…
I will say that I’m disappointed that Nigeria hasnt produced any world-class acts since Fela, King Sunny Ade, Sade and Seal. These were/are all highly original artists. Their commercial music was balanced with artistic integrity - something which I’m afraid to say, is sorely lacking in the music from the new generation of artists. I totally agree with some of the comments highlighting how our artists generally tend to ape western acts. We should
always strive for individuality. We have a very rich culture. The irony is that a lot of western artists have weaved our ideas into their own music.
stay blessed.
May 31st, 2007 at 4:43 am
There’s more to music than simply accents. I do appreciate the “why are you sounding westernized” argument but I feel there is a bit of a harsh judgement going on here.
An artist’s development is no different from a child’s development! Like it or not, imitation plays a role in the path to evolution to one’s “final self”.
How many of you can say they didn’t (sub consciously or consciously) mimic the attitudes and manerisms of some “ebgons” while going thru their teen years!?!
It’s thru these “rehearsals” as I like to call them, that majority of people find their “voice” and their “swagger”. Of course there are those who start out off the beaten path. Though this can sometimes indicate originality, it does not guarantee truthful appreciation nor that your body of work will actually “say” something.
When rap was in it’s infancy in the states, the second generation artist looked to the pioneers for a basic foundation on which to build their own persona. It’s simply human. You can’t expect the naija scene to suddenly get everything right! Hell, there are so many getting it wrong in the hip-hop’s own motherland!!!!! It takes time and plenty rehearsals, some of which have to be shown to the public to assess it’s workability. If it’s not going down well you have two major choices - refine (improve the ability to rap with a yankee vocal hint/accent) or redefine (abandon ship and start all over, re-learning the craft of constructing verses and conveying messages in yoruba/ibo/hausa/pidgin and the various dialects).
What the likes of Sean Paul and Beenie man do did not start last night! It’s been decades in the making. There was a time when west indian artists didn’t sound like Sean Paul or Beenie - they simply sang in english, albeit with the noticable west indian tint in their voices.
As for Fela and King Sunny Ade, go and listen to the instrumentation that these guys lay down before eloping lyrics to the track - Heavy!! Fela’s band was revered the world over for the new sound it birthed. Same goes for King Sunny Ade’s.
I doubt these two would have the same clout if they were simply vocalists singing on some same-old-same-old instrumental! This is in no way triviliazing their lyrical prowess but it’s just to point out that you can’t compare an artist with a band that works synergetically with an artist who is simply a voice!
With a band, it’s the synergy of the members that is presented as a single product. Every member, and I mean every member, contributes towards the final “sound”! They may prove to be “disposable” in comparison to the head honcho but they still add to the whole.
Music is an artform first and foremost. The “rep-your-hood” attitude is a modern day thing. As much as I’m for it, I’m apprehensive that whilst seeking strong alliances with artists, we simply miss out on good music!
Are there rappers in naija that tow the yankee-rapping line that make you cringe? Oh yes! But ask yourself this - Are there yankee rappers that make you cringe thou they are rapping in their natural dialect/accent???
My point? this guys probably make us cringe simply because they don’t have the skill (not talent) as far as we’re concerned, to capture our attention and earn our appreciation.
So, to all those seeking their “voices”, don’t let the detractors intimidate you. They may have a point between the harsh words, but don’t let it scare you off pursuing your dreams!
To all those who feel they’ve found their “voices”, don’t let the fans gas you up. WHAT you say will always matter more than HOW you say it (to the average reasonable person, anyway) so don’t get complacent!
And to all who are passionate enough to write about it - stay passionate with patience.
Law
June 12th, 2007 at 9:01 pm
Just came across this site while doing a search on google for Nigerian hip-hop music. I was born and raised in Nigeria, but I’ve been leaving in the states for about 11 years. I love different types of music.., hip-hop, reggae, country, rock, jazz, and music from “mother-land”. I was recently introduced to current Nigerian hip-hop music&artists which wasn’t common or even existed when i was back home, and i must say I AM NOT IMPRESSED with some of these artists, infact saying I’m appalled and dissappointed would be an understatement. I do love those artists that keep it real by incorporating their naija style in their music, either by speaking pidgin, their native language, or even normal nigerian English with no fake yankee accent, but those other “wannabe’s” that use “by-force” American accent to rap make me sick! Please, If I want to listen to American hip-hop let me hear real American hip-hop music. Leave the American style of hip-hop with their own natural accent for them, there’s no need to be copy-cats. Like some people say, you dont see Jamaicans or any other non-americans trying to sound american in their music even those who grew up in the U.S. My people please, we can try different styles of music, including hip-hop but please lets not completely throw away our culture, our own natural style, let’s keep it real!
July 10th, 2007 at 2:48 am
Yeah, i must tell you that these days we are taking music to another level. at least people from western world understand and enjoy it too. But you must represent where you are coming from that’s all . So, don’t blame some of them that want their stuff to be western. Like the way i’m doing my own stuff, i represent where i come from, mostly i’m firmly fixed with our govenment and how it will benefit the poor masses, not only for the rich.
HOPE YOU WOULD ENJOY THAT, IT’S ON THE WAY NOW TO HIT RADIUO STATIONS NEXT MONTH. meljingle@yahoo.com
July 10th, 2007 at 2:52 am
Yeah, i must tell you that these days we are taking music to another level. at least people from western world understand and enjoy it too. But you must represent where you are coming from that’s all . So, don’t blame some of them that want their stuff to be western. Like the way i’m doing my own stuff, i represent where i come from, mostly i’m firmly fixed with our govenment and how it will benefit the poor masses, not only for the rich.
HOPE YOU WOULD ENJOY THAT, IT’S ON THE WAY NOW TO HIT RADIO STATIONS NEXT MONTH. meljingle@yahoo.com
Leave a Reply
August 17th, 2007 at 4:27 am
i no get much to yarn, but down here in england…men, we dey feel y’all like shit, over and out.
August 18th, 2007 at 8:25 am
hi folks!!!!!
i believe in this life,,that there is no shortcourt to anyplace worth going..
if u are a hardcore artist or whateva,try to start from d scratch and always keep the game so tight.
Am a rapper based on eastern part of Nigeria Abia state and patially a producer,
stay kool to ya dreams….i dey feel u all…
you can reah me through ma id…08038038457
September 20th, 2007 at 5:36 am
I know what I have to say will offend alot of people here but you must understand two things 1. It is the Blunt truth 2. I couldn’t care less how you take it.
Lets Start with the Term “MUSIC BUSINESS” used to describe the industry in every country in every hemisphere. I don’t understand what can be so hard to understand about the concept of “Music and Business” going hand in hand. The Business is not more important than the business and Vice Versa. Someone here actually said something about how rapping exclusively in Pidgin or Native tongue would earn an individual “Crossover appeal” -scratches Head- How can not being understood lead to international acceptance??? The second thing that makes that statement redundant is the fact that regardless of how we try to deny it, (or how poorly some of us speak it.), “English” is still the national language of Nigeria. “WHY DO I SAY THAT?” U ask?: Well for starters the President and Nigerian Citizen number1 today and as far back as anyone of us can remember will always address his “Fellow Nigerians” in English (aaaah now U see where I’m going with this.). I’m not going to act like I don’t agree with most of you when you say all these Naija rappers shouldn’t be rapping with accents (true!!!) except I go one step further and say most of them have no business rapping at all. Anyone who can come up with 5grand for a studio session (recording mindless babble wether in English, pidgin, Ijaw or fake Australian Aborigine accent,…still mindless babble no matter how you cut it. Thats why I don’t get the complaint. it’s like saying the rubbish he rapped in English would be less rubbish if he rapped in Yoruba. If you feel that way then ur not a hip hop fan, ur a person constantly seeking Validation. I call what Nigerias “hip-hop” fans (and I use the term hip hop very very losely here.) are suffering from “Tuface Fever” because Tuface is truly a talented “artist” and in my opinion one of the only artists with a reative bone in his body. People forget he never finished school and produces his songs in the tongue he is most comfortable with to get his message accross. I have no doubt if TuFace actually furthered his education to..lets say a P.H.D Level (don’t Laugh!!!) He would not only make better music that would make what he does now sound like a donald duck shower session, but I bet you he would make it in English. Which Brings me to my last point: (STILL THINKING MUSIC & BUSINESS.) The greatest platform for promotion and success of Nigerian and African Music would be MTV BASE & CHANNEL “O”. Clearly people don’t realize that these channels are broadcast throughout Africa which makes “ALL OF AFRICA” the Rappers Target Market and Fan Base pool by default. If you rap in Your native tongue then you instantly turn ur back on a wider fan base which is bad for business. Before you Jump up and start screaming “EH!! EH!! Repping the essence of Naija through gbedu is more important than making money O!!!!” Lets not forget that part of the essence of Naija in Africa is it’s Dominance over the Rest of Africa (No offence to the non Nigerians in here, but it’s just the truth. Maybe you should apply for Nigerian Citizenship or our less advertised Nigerian Green Card. lol.). When I say dominance I don’t just mean someone saying I like “Rugged man more than I like MC whatever from Ivory Coast” I mean Nigeria should be able to put it’s dominance on display from mixing board, to sound booth, to stage, to Marketing,to planning,to foresight, to execution, to after party. I just expect a higher level of reasoning from those in the Nigerian Industry. If you can’t deliver excellence then please don’t enter studio and start shouting “UP NAIJA!!! UP NAIJA!!! UP NAIJA!!! On every last one of ur tracks trying to make the people love u for being Nigerian instead of loving you for being an artist. When was the last time you ever heard an american hit song played all over the world titled something like “America we hail thee, or I love U America, or America the Great?? Ironically the last worldwide hit from America with the word “America” in it was “American Idiot”. But in Nigeria?!! Jesus Lord of Mercy. It shows a lack of creativity, a cookie-cutting-whats-hot-now-follow-the-leader attitude from artists and all these are symptoms of Tuface Fever. (Big Shoutout to Big Lo and 2shots for Blessing us with the track “this is naija” for a second I thought this was IBIZA. (The term is sarcasm my friend.). Does anyone remember Junior&Pretty? yes? well then stop talking about pidgin rap as if it is something that started with MTVBASE, And Stop talking about hip hop like it’s something that started with Junior and Pretty. I know several Nigerians that listened to and practiced pure hip hop in Nigeria Long before Pastor Okotie’s Sister was a singer and Yvonne Shaka Shaka was runnin thangs. There are pure hip hop listeners in Nigeria who don’t give pidgin rap the time of day. Not because the rap is in pidgin but because the rap is rubbish. Do you think I listen to every American Accent on a beat? I don’t listen to Young Joc, I don’t even listen to 50cent how the hell will I now listen to Idris? Jagga Jagga? please I’m too old to start yanning Jagga jagga again ah ah are you serious? that was like 1989.
September 20th, 2007 at 11:09 am
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September 25th, 2007 at 7:26 pm
VICTOR:
I agree with a lot of your comments. Naturally, during the period of slavery most of the slaves did come from West Africa and ofcourse Africa is in us. Im the son of a slave from centuries ago in America and our music has evolutionized into Hip Hop. The elements of Hip Hop music are not African. Jazz, Blues, Rock N Roll, RnB and most importantly funk make up Hip Hop. These element were derived from the negro hymes, or spritual and turned secular. Ive listened to African Music and I do not see a lot of similarities between Hip Hop and African music. When I listen to African music and Carribean and South American music I hear a strong African presence. After all, outside Africa, Brazil has the largest population of people which are of African disporia, so maybe thats why. I would give credit to West Africa for Hip Hop because 400 years ago the inventors of popular American music came from there, but thats it, just a blood line. Hip Hop was born in America for black people around the world to express themsleves. I honostly think Africans are not good at creating rap music, but ive heard some African reggae artist like 2face thats not bad
September 25th, 2007 at 8:46 pm
I feel rapper like mode nine.you know english is what we speak every where we go,i love english rappers. The fact that we are africa does not mean we don’t understand english that’s why i love mc’s like mode and OD.Like some of you said something on reping naija by speaking our language,do u know some people don’t understand yoroba but most naija mc’s uses yorobo or pigin english but do u know som of us nigerians don’t understand yorobo,so hw can u rich the world or the africans with stuff like that?
It ain’t right so we gat 2 use english terms so dat we can reach the world,or are they singing 4 them self alone?…………Like me i don’t sing 4 myself i sing 4 the world.it’s not easy but i will keep doing it till i stop breathing.
4rm kick
September 29th, 2007 at 11:25 am
I agree with you Black Yankee. I dont understand why you have replied in that way. I agreed and I have said exactly what you have just said! Rap/Hip-Hop music evloved mostly from contemporary African-American music forms like jazz, blues,funk, soul, r’n'b, rock n roll - I always maintained that fact. Via West Africa, I always said that African-Americans are the main originators of rap not Jamaicans - that was my main point. Kool Herc, a Jamaican, only mixed records in early hip-hop style but never rapped at all, plus he used African-American music to mix his records (eg James Brown) not reggae. What I did say was that the art of rapping - not the musical style or form, but the art itself actually originates from West Africa. The griots are West African travelling musicians that tell stories in rhyme to music beats. They also engage in verbal duels to avoid physical fights for entertainment. Their task is to inform others about the history and events in a certain area through this muisc style.The griots activities evolved into African-American oral traditions like toasting (storytelling rhymes) and the signifying and dozens games (verbal battles) - these traditions are rap’s direct ancestors, and they manifested in many earlier African-American music forms like the blues, jazz, etc. This is a hard fact you can research yourself. If you listen to West African Griot music and NOT traditional West African music you will see that there is similarity there with rap music with regards to the storytelling rhyme concept. West African music is not just one type of music, there are many types and variations - the griot music is one part that plays the role in West Africa the same way rap music plays it’s role in the USA. Yes you are right indeed. Rap music’s deepest roots are found in most contemporary African-American music inherited from it’s West African bloodline. I always agreed with you there.
**********************************************************
I agree with you on this point - the best rappers happen to be African-American rappers, and I myself mainly listen to American rap/hip-hop. But you are kinda wrong on one point. The West African hip-hop scene is probably the most thriving hip-hop scene anywhere outside of America. Senegal is one of the important rap meccas outside of the USA. Lagos, Johannesbug and other African cities have massive rap music scenes. The Caribbean, Brazil or any other black region cannot claim a rap music scene as thriving as West Africa’s. You probably wont know who these guys are as your American, but many of the best rappers in Europe & the UK happen to be of West African descent, like Blak Twang, Ty, Lethal Bizzle, Dizzie Rascal,Skepta (and I know this, I live there!) Africa itself produces good rappers like MC Solaar, Edris, Ruggedman, and many others. I’m saying they are as good as the ones from the USA (after all contemporary rap music originates from there!) I’m just saying there are many good African rappers and Africans can make really good rap music because they have a great deal of love for, and historical connections with the music artform. No offense Black Yankee, but most Americans do not really like whatever is not “American”, so it’s no surprise that African rap music would’nt really be to your liking! Only those who understand it, like the Africans themselves will like it. It’s just like when the African-Americans that did’nt like reggae back then, when Kool Herc tried to play it to the crowd. African rap wont really appeal to an American crowd because of many factors including language barriers and grammatical, and cultural differences. In any case, Americans have more than enough good rappers to listen to, plus the USA is the original home of rap music anyway, so why would an American wanna listen to African rap!? That’s probably the reason you are saying that.
One more thing, tell me Black Yankee, why do the Jamaicans always like to copy American hip-hop/rap songs and beats and sing over them reggae? I cant stand it when they do that! They really spoil it when they do that.
2face is rapper not a reggae artist by the way!
September 29th, 2007 at 11:42 am
Sorry BLACK YANKEE, I’m gonna make a correction for one sentence - I’m not saying African rappers are better than American ones or whatever I’m just saying that they do have good rappers on the Dark Continent, I’ve heard them and they sound good. I would say African-Americans have the strongest influence in rap muisc of anyone else - and they make the best rap music, not Jamaicans, Africans or Black british guys.
September 29th, 2007 at 11:50 am
One more thing though I must say BLACK YANKEE - I have noticed that West Africans living in Western nations do create good rap music. I’m not sure about Africans living in Africa because I dont really listen to African rap that much and I dont really hear any such artists as I live in the UK, so I can’t comment too much that, though from what I’ve seen some of it is good. I can say though that Africans living in Europe where I live are good at creating rap muisc, as I have said before many of the best Black rappers in the UK and Europe are of West African descent.
Do you like Chamillionaire? He is an American born to Nigerian parents
September 30th, 2007 at 8:54 pm
Yes, Chamillionare is good, but he is Half Nigerian and Half American. I never heard of any UK Rap. I also hate it when Jamaicans sing over music. LL COOL J, FABULOUS, BIGGIE, BUSTA RHYMES, FOXIE BROWN are a few names that have strong roots West Indian roots. Slick Rick is the only British born rapper that made it in America. Miss Dynamite had moderate success and Monie Love way back when. Soul II Soul, Lisa Stansfield and Floetry are other notables. Chamillionare belongs to SWISHA HOUSE records, or he was, or he is just closely related with the artist of that label. Paul Wall, Michael Watts, Mike Jones and the late, but great DJ Screw are legends in that area. I went to college in Houston which is where Chamillionare is from. I grew up in the state of TEXAS, born in the New Orleans, Louisiana area, so im familiar with the rap scene in the southwest region of the U. S. From what I see off that 1 xtra radio station, British listen to a lot of commercial rap. My roomate is Nigerian, but he has been in America so long, he listens to a lot of the CRUNK. This type of rap is pretty much selling the most records in the US at this time. No one listens to the messages in rap music here anymore. People just want a heavy beat that sounds good in their tricked out rides or something that makes them go crazy in the clubs. My roomate is suppose to take me to Nigeria next year, so ill see what the scene is like when I visit.
October 1st, 2007 at 12:07 am
Victor:
While serving in the U. S. Navy ive been all over the world and witnessed the Hip Hop scene on a international level physically. Every country ive visited will contend that the hip hop scene in their country is the next best thing to hit the market. The same arguement you are making with West African Hip Hop. Here in America and around the world the Asians are ahead of Africans in the Hip Hop game and Japan and Singapore are on point, shocked me. They have a progressive scene, bar none. The Fillipino DJs in American and abroad are good. Outside the U. S. its hard to say which country would have the most influence. I love Brazilian music, samba and some calypso stuff from the Carribean. Ive heard traditional African music that I like. British Hip Hop, African Hip Hop, Asian Hip Hop, European Hip Hop. NAH, sorry, I just cant feel it, no authenticity. Personally, I ithink the Hip Hop scene belongs in America and America only. I think Africans would excel if they pushed more of their traditioal music. The days of the Beattles and The Rolling Stones comming to America and stealing Black Americans music is over. I can sympathize with an African person that relates, because their is a kinship, rather it be a strong, or weak one
October 1st, 2007 at 3:49 am
Well said Black Yankee! You seem like a real intelligent guy. However just to clear up a few things:
CHAMILLIONAIRE is of FULL-BLOODED Nigerian descent. I read it in XXL magazine, which states that BOTH of his parents are Nigerian immigrants and he was born in the USA sometime after they arrived there. He is a first generation Nigerian-American. I have the copy of it.
LL COOL J does have some West Indian (Barbados) roots, but it is only a small part from one of his grandparents, he is mostly African-American with roots in Alabama. FABULOUS is half Afro-Latino (Dominican) and half African-American. You were correct about the rest you mentioned.
I’m not sure if you know this, but there are some well-known or respect rappers with direct African roots. Styles P of The Lox (SOUTH AFRICAN mother), and PAPOOSE from Brooklyn was born in WEST AFRICA. AKON may not be a typical rapper, but he’s still a hip-hop artist and reps SENEGAL. Highly underrated NYC Female rapper JEAN GRAE is SOUTH AFRICAN.
However most of the biggest rappers in the USA and in the world are typical African-Americans with roots Down South, whether they are from cities and towns on the East or West Coast, in the MidWest, the North or the South itself. And yeah I kinda agree with with you on that point you made. I personally believe that the hip-hop/rap scene really does belong to the USA only, however because I love hip-hop/rap so much I would encourage it to grow in other countries. But if you remember the days in the States when everyone believed only New York and LA had a hold on the rap music industry? Remember when peeps where sayin that Down South rap was rubbish? Just because New York started hip-hop they believed they were the pacesetters, but now they eat their words because Down South rap is running the game right now! Ludacris says this - “Hip Hop aint dead it just lives in the South”. New York guys cant bear to see this happening so they hate on the South. So can you see how some people thought they were better because they started it, only to see the emulators surpass them?
I see African-Americans as unique black people because these guys were once Africans in America having to deal with alot hard times and shit, but still kept the spirit of Africa with them to be resourceful and innovative to create such a dynamic music and culture that many aspire to and is a world force and movement. It’s like Africans look across the Atlantic Ocean and feel proud at what their long lost brothers have achieved.
October 1st, 2007 at 4:29 am
Once again Black Yankee,
On the issue of African rap and hip-hop, I’m not too sure about that statement about Japan and Singapore being ahead of Africans. Those countries may have the better advanced musical technology and funding but it does not make them better artists or mean they have a better scene. I think you need to see and properly explore the African rap/hip hop scene first before you actually make a judgement. Africa is not a country it is a vast continent as you know and there are so many rap hotspots blowing up there now more than ever, and they have been established for many years now. You have huge and I mean HUGE rap scenes in Senegal, Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa. I’m NOT saying that African rap is the best alternative to USA rap. I’m just saying Africa has such a huge, diverse, dynamic and vibrant rap scene that should not be underestimated. The Nigerian (Lagos) rap scene along with Senegal is huge and on fire - Nigerians and Senegalese take their rap/hiphop very seriously, they just seem to love it and connect with it so much. My main problem with African rap is the same problem I had, and still do with UK rap - is that some artists try to sound American or try create too much of an American flavour. However that is not always the case though and it is that trend is reducing these days.
I also agree with another thing you said - I really do believe Africans will go further by pushing their own traditional music. However traditional African music is already hugely popular in many mainland European countries and some parts of the USA with artists like Yousson N’Dour, Femi Kuti, Miriam Makeba, Ladysmith Black Mazambo, Angelique Kidjo and others. But I believe it could go much further with more funding, exposure etc. There is so much potential out there in Africa right now it’s criminal to ignore it!
In the UK, there is a type rap music called GRIME. Grime rap music draws heavy influences from American gangsta rap and African-American slang admittedly, but it’s flavour and style is distinctly Black British. They way they sound when they rap is totally Black British. It is very popular in the UK right now and some other countries. It is not too well known in the USA although some artists like Dizzie Rascal have become acknowledged there. Most of the pioneers and best rap artists in grime music are of West African descent. When you put Africans in a Western nation they always seem to come out and start a musical revolution (just like African-Americans in the USA). Africans living in Western nations do make good rap music though because there are more resources and better technology available.
October 1st, 2007 at 4:43 am
One more thing to add Black Yankee - If you remember I said that after the USA, the African region probably had the biggest rap/hip-hop scene more than any other BLACK region in the world. I did’nt say the whole world, I meant in the Black World! Africa has a much bigger hip-hop rap scene than Brazil and South America, and it certainly has a bigger hip-hop rap scene than the West Indies, whose crowd seem to lean more to reggae, calypso and reggaeton. Rap/Hip-hop is repped in Africa to da fullest.
October 1st, 2007 at 10:10 pm
VICTOR
Here in the states the fillipino DJs have made a name for themselves. Nico, Chad Hugo and a Chinese Rapper Jin is known as one of the best battle MCs in the game. I think dancer named takahiro won the dance contest at apollo theatre in harlem. You made a statement about the birth of Hip Hop in New York and how at its genesis New Yorkers doubted Hip Hop could exist outside its city limits. Hip Hop was the only style of black music in America formed north of the Mason Dixon line. The elements that made Hip Hop came from the former confederate states of America and those dumb New Yokers forgot this. I mean they ripped James Brown off, stole every song he ever made. Where is James Brown from? The South and is one of the most southern, countriest brothers ive ever seen. For someone that lives in England you are very knowledgable. Here is a little story of what ive seen and where I was when Hip Hop evolutionized. My grandmother was born in 1908. My great, great grandmother was Native American and great, great grandfather a former slave. My grandmother would sing the negro spirituals to us as kids. My older aunts and uncles grew up during the Jazz and blues era. They would play everything from Ella Fitzgerald to Johnny Lee Hooker to one of my favorites the father of modern R&B Sam Cooke, which in my opinion has the greatest voice in the world, besides Ottis Redding. My mother was a lot younger than her Brothers and sister and my grandmother had her at a late age. She was into Motown and stax records. By the time I was born George Clinton, Bootsy Collins and Parliment was the hottest bands around, besides Disco and Teddy Pendegrass, but when I turned 8 years old in 1979, Sugarhill gang put Hip Hop on the map and a few years later Africa Baambata and the Soulsonic Force dropped Planet Rock. When I listen to Hip Hop reguardless of what part of America you are from, I hear these musicians and countless more.The Black and Hispanic nieghborhoods in the states were going crazy off this music. in 1986, I moved to upstate New York with my fatherand at this time I was a teenager I High school. I became a B BOY and was heavy on the scene. Back then Hip Hop didnt get airplay. It came on public radio stations once every friday and saturday late at night and I would stay awake pop a cassette tape in and record the Chuck chillout show. When we use to dance at school all the other races would here us play this music and beg us to let them have our tapes. Back then if you wouldve ever told me Hip Hop wouldve been the most popular music 20 years later, I wouldve look at you as if you crazy.My elders new Hip Hop would become gold. they went through this faze with Jazz, blues, Rock N Roll and funk and saw the music go global. The problem they had was groups and people like the Beattles and Elvis Presley get all the credit for art forms they stole. My mother said its just a matter of time before that happens to Hip Hop and when it does, Black Americans will then once again have to re-event themsleves, thats also been a history, the problem with Black Americans is we do not accept White pop culture and once a form becomes to commercial we weill abandoned it, I think we are the only race of people like that.
I saw Chamillionare on BET and he said he was half, so someone has their sources mixed up.
who are some of your favorite artist?
Im going to share with you things the art of stepping. Its centuries old here and as popular as ever since the inception of the dance. Look at them and tell me what you know about it. If you can post some Nigerian, or Black British culture we are not aware of in the US please copy and paste on your next post. enjoy, forgive me if I sound
Heres some video to back my arguemnts. you will be surprised to see who won the 2006 amateaur dance contest at the Apollo. You may have to cut and paste on the address bar above.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJkVLwdJnjg
Jin at fightclub
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQTk4yKaDnY
Black Fraternity, my frat Kappa Alpha Psi, What do black brits, or Nigerians know about stepping, this is suppose to besomething that came from west Africa, what do you think. That movie stomp the yard, what a waste
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gyj4vYDntm8&mode=related&search=
i love AKAs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d15cAKtZQFM&mode=related&search=
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-8UyUbyFa8&mode=related&search=
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTkUHtiYnYE&mode=related&search=
October 2nd, 2007 at 3:50 pm
BLACK YANKEE
Thanks for the compliment on my extensive knowledge regarding the subjects being discussed here. I must let you know that I’m a guy that does intensive research on anything that interests or fascinates me - in this case hip-hop/rap music and other Afro-lineal music forms. I must let you know that I do not argue a point or start a debate unless I have some form of backing evidence of what I’m trying to express or prove. But thanks anyway!
In relation to what you said about hip-hop/rap music being started from New York I’m gonna say this. I agreed with you on that point you made. I’m no fool and I done carried out my research. Most of the elements that made hip-hop/rap music what it is today are clearly and undoubtedly rooted in many of the various African-American music forms that emerged from the South. Jazz, blues, r’n'b, funk, soul, bebop, ragtime, toasts, dozens, woofin’ and pattin juba etc. XXL magazine called James Brown one of the “illest MCs” ever and it also stated, “that even Kool Herc looked up to him for influence and inspiration”. James Brown was definitely one of the early real godfathers of hip-hop/rap for sure. Kool Herc always said James Brown was his favourite artist and it was Brown that inspired him to spin records. On Nas’s track “Bridging the Gap”, he raps about how rap music is re-building the gap between the music forms that gave birth to it’s existence - jazz, blues, r’n'b, funk, soul etc. There was this black girl from the USA (Chicago) who I knew in London and she insisted to me that rap music was NOT invented by New Yorkers. She stated that “rap music had always existed in some earlier form verbal art in older African-American music forms that originated from the South”. I told her that she was dead right and I already knew this! Rapping is a direct descendant of the African-American toast tradition and other verbal arts like the dozens and signifying, most of which originated from the Southern USA (especially Louisiana) via West Africa. One famous African-Amrican toast was the one about “Stagger Lee”, probably one of the earliest rap songs, made in the early 20th century in the South. I’m definitely with you on that one bro, straight up.
Even if you look at the history of reggae music - that too originated from American jazz, blues, and r’n'b. Jamaicans used get radio waves from New Orleans and listen to alot African-American music. They began to make their own jazz and blues, etc which evolved into reggae. Like I said before, African-American music has it roots mostly into two places - the South first and West Africa before it.
Sam Cooke is a legend by the way and I love that song, “Change Gon’ Come”, it’s a shame the way he died being shot in suspicious circumstances by a black woman. I’ll check that stepping thing you shown me later and I’ll get back to you brother!
October 2nd, 2007 at 3:54 pm
By the way did Chamillionare really say he was only half-Nigerian on BET? If you read XXL Magazine on the Jan/Feb issue 2007 with Nas on the cover it says he was born to a pair of Nigerian immgrants who met at the University of Houston. I’ve read this in other places too. Check the link for more info oon this subject.
la times link
Do you where I can see a clip of BET interview of Chamillionaire you are talking about? I’d really be pleased if you could.
October 2nd, 2007 at 4:03 pm
One more thing BLACK YANKEE, I dont believe hip-hop/rap music actually originated in New York - I believe New York put various elements together to make it popular and push start the movement. But the elements that made hip-hop/rap music CLEARLY originate from the South, and any real disciple or serious student of hop/hop and rap would know that and not argue with it. Just ask brother James Brown in the afterlife!
October 2nd, 2007 at 8:39 pm
No, it started in S. Bronx, one of New Yorks 5 bouroughs, but not the ingredients. Here go some links that might answer you questions about chamillionares origin.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chamillionaire
http://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-18564.0.html
http://www.bet.com
I agree with you on one thing black folks have been rapping way before Hip Hop evolved. Listen to the ealier R&B songs from such groups as the CHI-LITES, HAROLD MELVIN AND THE BLUE NOTES, THE DELLS, THE TEMPTATIONS, THE DELFONICS ending with BOYS 2 MEN. When I was in School, we use talk about each others moma and roast each other just because, sometimes the end result would be a fight. Hip Hop culture did start in New York. Rapping is just one elelment. The Graffiti Artist, The B-Boys, DJs and Break Dancers came from the S. Bronx. Breakdancing really came from the Afro-Brazilians, us Americans hijacked it from them and modified it, I think they call it caporia, or something. The elements of Hip Hop were around for hundreds years, its just musical evolution.
October 2nd, 2007 at 8:54 pm
BLACK YANKEE,
Sorry you asked me who my favorite artists are? I’ll break it down like this:
My most favorite rap artists ever are: 2PAC, NAS, JAY-Z, 50 CENT, MOBB DEEP, THE WU-TANG, ICE CUBE, N.W.A., SNOOP DOGG, WARREN G, TRIBE CALLED QUEST.
Other faves of mine (not in any order) include: LUDACRIS, YOUNG JEEZY, CHAMILLIONAIRE, JADAKISS, STYLES P & D-BLOCK, LIL’WAYNE, BIG PUN, NOREGA (before all that commercial shit), BEANIE SIEGEL, CASSIDY, FREEWAY, THE GAME, CAMRON & DIPSET, JUVENILE, MIKE JONES, DEM FRANCHIZE BOYZ, PETEY PABLO, PEEDI CRAKK, PAPOOSE, T.I., TWISTA, MASTER P & NO LIMIT, PLIES, RICK ROSS, MAINO, just too many more to mention!…..yeah BONE THUGS aswell!
FEMALE RAPPERS I like are LIL’KIM, MISSY, EVITA, TRINA and REMI MA. I dont like FOXY BROWN and RAH DIGGA.
If this is of any interest I DON’T like BUSTA RHYMES, JAH RULE, NELLY, MASE, PUFFY and LL COOL J that much.
I HATE these guys - WYCLEF and THE FUGGES (except Lauryn Hill’s solo effort), BLACK EYED PEAS (especially that lil’ bitch Will iam, I think Fergie solo is alrite tho), weak MCs.
October 2nd, 2007 at 8:58 pm
My mistake Black Yankee, I agree hip-hop did start in New York in the South Bronx, but what I really meant was rapping! Rapping was not invented by New Yorkers that what I meant, yes I know rap is just one element of hip-hop, but not too many peeps know the difference! Well you and I have already both cleared that up!
October 2nd, 2007 at 9:01 pm
I know already that Chamillionare has Nigerian roots. It’s just that you’re telling me he said he was half on BET TV, when in an interview with XXL magazine he says both his parents are Nigerian. I wanna see that BET clip you are talking about. How can I see this?
October 3rd, 2007 at 9:15 pm
Have you heard of this rapper from the South named Soulja Boy, He has the number one CD in America. You can probably find that interview on bet.com in the 106th and Park section. I think he was on 106th and Park when he did the interview if my memorie serves me right.
Heres my evolution of Hip Hip, heres a dose of Soulbrother number one, James Brown.
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=james+brown+night+train
This is rap going through the Big Bang Theory, the first rap song and the first hypeman, SOULPOWER!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzMdklbWDGw
October 3rd, 2007 at 10:02 pm
CONTINUED FROM THE TOP VICTOR
P-FUNK, the West Cost really stole a lot from George Clinton and Bootsy Collins space Age Funk(DR DRE SOUND), Andre 300 of Outkast is just a wannabe George Clinton of 2K. Well Oukast sound has a strong space age funk to it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_LRYezOfeo
Hip Hop when it had a message, Ladybug is still fine, im bringing the Afro and pick back in style
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhtPfMZ6_oQ
I do not know why these 3 videos were the hottest videos of the year, especially Soulja Boy, I guess im just getting older.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQf5poAK4s0
fine women in this video