Two years after ‘The Goat’ had the whole country wondering if Burna Boy had been cloned, Monaky has climbed the hill of separating himself from the artist that inspired him and stood out as a distinct voice in the Nigerian music scene, with a slew of singles under his belt.
Now finally, since the two-faced-stoner anthem, Monaky has delivered his 11-tracker debut studio album titled ‘Patient Zero.’
Whether for the purpose of making a statement or not, the album has only two features and none of them are singers, as if to prove that he can deliver a stellar project with minimal feature assistance.
The guest features, Psycho YP and Layzee Ella, are both rappers though not yet mainstream household names. Monaky greatly favors authentic connections, most notably with the underdog as opposed to industry template formulaic link ups.
Nigerian face of Trap music, Psycho YP and underground rapper, Layzee Ella make an appearance on ‘Payroll’ and ‘Achilles’ respectively.
Lead single, ‘Payroll’ is a hustler anthem in the vein of 50 Cent’s ‘I Get Money’ and Junior MAFIA’s ‘Get Money.’ The slow bop made for hustling stoners is accentuated by Psycho YP’s appearance that is so short, you can miss it in a blink.
Despite it’s length, YP’s melodic raps leave the listener wanting more rather than eliciting a loud hiss of disappointment – adding to the replay value of the song.
‘Achilles’ is a more uptempo, phallus slanging, king-kong-chest-beating manifesto of sexual prowess. The song is doused in self-praise so much that one might forget it’s a love song.
Layzee channels her inner Koffee in her verse that’s equally as short as YP’s on ‘Payroll.’ The Koffee semblance is channeled not by Patois writing but by the vocal inflections employed by the femcee.
These numbers are undoubtedly standouts in the project, with both YP and Layzee making equally exceptional appearances and complementing Monaky’s performance in both. Fans are already going crazy over the lead single all over social media.
What do you think of YP and Ella’s performances? What do you think of Monaky’s debut?
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Dj Clen has officially shared news of his upcoming album, VIRAL, which has been in the works for some months now, and fans can’t wait to hear it.
The Dj led his anticipated project with some single releases, including his Summer-ready bop, The Way It Goes. We now have a release date for the project, July 14th, 2023, along with the album cover and star-studded tracklist.
Not only that, the VIRAL album is exclusively produced by frequent collaborator, A-Reece, who, along with brother Jay Jody, is preparing to release an album of his own. Sosh Plata hit maker, Loatinover Pounds is also credited for the artwork.
The project is already up for pre-order; hopefully we get another single before the release. In the meantime, we’ll keep you posted on the latest.
With so much good music being released across the continent always, it can be hard to determine what to listen to or where to discover new music or new artist and Hiphop Africa curation team offers a run-down of the best rap and hiphop songs and significant new releases available on streaming services worldwide with a focus on African rap music and its community. This week’s batch includes new music from a diverse line up of artist with New music from our cover star Rapcha from Tanzania, projects from South African rappers Stuuperman & Flow jones Jr, Nigerian rap rave of the moment odumodublvck teams up with FireboyDML for Afro hippo tune and more new singles from Nasty C, Stormzy, Rim’K and more talented rappers from the motherland.
We have Rapcha from Tanzania on our cover this week
Odumodu has proven to not just be a gimmick with his unique ‘Okporoko Music,’ infusing Grime and Afro-rap. The rapper has consistently climbed the ranks of the Nigerian music industry since 2021 and 2023 has been his magnum Opus year. Odumo as he is fondly called by fans has hit four top ten songs on the Nigerian charts this year alone. His highest charting song titled after West Ham United Star Declan Rice, broke streaming records as the fastest song to reach #1 on Apple NG and highest first day streams for a Nigerian song.
After ‘Declan Rice’ won the hearts of Nigerians and Brits alike, Amaarae stated that Odumodu can become more than just an aggressive rap persona but also a staple of infectious melodies and he ostensibly took that advice seriously, as shown on Firegun. It’s almost as if Big Kala swore that Fireboy won’t out-sing him on the song.
Fireboy is making a return to consistently putting out new music since featuring on the standout ‘Jabo‘ on Wande Coal’s third studio album, he released the trending ‘Yawa‘ and now Fuego is lending his silk-smooth vocals to layer this bop titled after both artists— Fireboy and Big Gun.
Rumours of the Native Records and YBNL artists working together hit the streets after they were spotted together at an event early this month and photos flooded the bird app.
Modu brought the melodies out for the intro of the song, in a call and response four bars with Fuego and the latter takes over the chorus to deliver a bop heavily laden with Retro-Nigerian references and parlance, as typical of the Alté scene.
There are mention of Olu Maintain’s catchphrase, “Kamakazee, kentro,” even Fireboy is not left out of the time traveling as he references MC Galaxy’s “Komolop cholop.”
This is exactly why the streets love Odumodublvck, he is as brash and abashed and confident in his statements as Nigerians are famed for, all over the world. Modu is as Nigerian as Nigerian can be.
Only Modu and a few others like Ghost of SDC can intertwine Tarantino’s Anti-slavery hero with Adonitology with the line, “Ikebe super na there I die, I be like Django.”
The sexual references are as witty and comic as they are important; Odumodu’s consent acknowledgement and Fireboy’s invitation to orgasm.
Bar the terrible cover artwork, the song is perfect in all ramifications. Modu may just have the worthy follow up to “Declan Rice” finally, if the team does the necessary promotions, ‘Firegun’ should seat in the same pantheons as ‘Dog Eat Dog,’ ‘Picanto’ and the aforementioned song named after a now Arsenal footballer.
What are your thoughts on the new single?
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At the June Edition of The HipHop Event, The highly anticipated battle Main Event Battle Rap between Jaypachino and Fozter created a buzz within the battle rap community. Both artists brought their A-game to the stage, ready to prove their superiority through their lyrical prowess and captivating performances. The intense face-off unfolded with a series of hard-hitting verses, clever wordplay, and sharp rebuttals. Jaypachino’s stage presence and delivery left an indelible impression on the audience, showcasing his ability to control the crowd’s energy and keep them engaged throughout the battle. With his sharp wit and flawless execution, Jaypachino emerged victorious, solidifying his status as a formidable force in the battle rap arena. In this interview with DANIJI EMMANUEL of HIPHOP AFRICA, Japachino reveals his musical journey, exploring his passion for battle rap, his electrifying performance against Fozter, and his promising ascent in the competitive world of rap battles.
Jaypachino’s victory over Fozter in the intense battle rap showdown signifies a defining moment in his career. With his captivating stage presence, razor-sharp lyrics, and relentless drive, he has proven himself as a force to be reckoned with in the battle rap arena. As Jaypachino continues to rise to new heights, his talent and determination will undoubtedly leave an indelible mark on the battle rap scene, inspiring aspiring battlers and captivating audiences with his lyrical prowess. Enjoy the interview below.
Congratulations on your recent victory against Fozter! How do you feel about your performance in the battle?
I feel great, it was an amazing night even though I didn’t get to do my whole rounds but I’m glad I put out enough to do the job.
As a veteran battle rapper, what motivated you to take on Fozter as your opponent?
Well, I liked his confidence. Also, I heard he beat Spikey who is like a vet and in my class so he had to go.
Can you describe the preparation process leading up to the battle? Did you have any specific strategies in mind?
Honestly, for this battle, I had little time to prepare because I didn’t think it was going to happen. Going to this battle was just like how I go to all of my battles, no strategy, just going out to let the HipHop community know bar for bar I’m in a different weight class.
What were the key factors or techniques that you believe contributed to your success in the battle?
Well, I think it’s my ability to punch every bar and not talk too long to get to the point.
How do you think your experience as a battle rapper played a role in your victory over Fozter?
Well, I would say coming from a class of vets like Holyfield, Dabu the Gemini, and Daygenius and having faced competition and having my reputation on the line. I wasn’t going to give room for a debatable.
Were there any particular moments during the battle that you consider to be highlights or turning points for you?
Not really because for me I always tailor every bar to have momentum.
Fozter is known for his unique style and wordplay. How did you approach countering his strengths while showcasing your own skills?
Just doing what I do best. Punching every bar.
Battle rap often involves intense wordplay and lyricism. How do you continue to innovate and stay relevant in this ever-evolving genre?
Besides battle rap, I make great music, but I try to keep up with current events once In a while.
In your opinion, what sets you apart from other battle rappers in terms of style and delivery?
I think it’s my bar-for-bar punching style and how I deliver every line with panache.
Battle rap events can be emotionally charged. How do you stay focused and composed under the pressure of performing in front of an audience?
I try to block everything out even the crowd’s reaction and show penmanship.
What is the most important aspect of a successful battle rap performance? Is it the delivery, punchlines, or something else entirely?
I would say it’s the delivery. In battle rap, it’s not about what you say, it’s about how you say it. That’s what separates the Vets from the rookies.
How do you handle the aftermath of a battle, both in terms of personal satisfaction and dealing with any potential controversies or criticisms that may arise?
I really don’t pay attention, especially when I am satisfied with my performance.
As a veteran battle rapper, what advice would you give to aspiring artists looking to enter the battle rap scene?
I would say stay ready and true to yourself but also always try to bring something different, that will make you stand out from your peers.
Reflecting on your career as a whole, what have been some of your most memorable battles and why?
I would say the battle with Dabu the Gemini on BRL. That battle was like a clash of titans, it changed the game and raised the bar. shout out to Dabu for making it a classic.
What can your fans expect from you in the future? Are there any upcoming battles or projects that you’re excited about?
I will be putting out more music and also working on “The Pachino Story 3“. I also have a joint project called “Purple Trey” on the way. So fingers crossed.
The past few months have been glorious for African Hip Hop, with many of our favorite emcees producing amazing pieces of work. As such, we reflect on the rap songs released during the month that stood out for us.
We’ve compiled a list, in no particular order, of our top picks of the best verses we’ve heard throughout the continent in the month of June. Read on to see if your favorite rappers made the list.
VenomRaps – Songs On Pioneer
Taken from his recent project, Eunoia, VenomRaps delivered an impressive performance where he recognizes his adept skills that set him apart from the rest. He plays the role of the villain, “wreaking havoc” everywhere he goes, where his only competition is himself – encouraging him to go harder and smarter.
Touchline – Hot Property
As if his No Paperwork freestyle wasn’t enough to spark a flame, Touchline returned with Hot Property to remind the competition that he is HIM. From the initial listen, you pick up similarities of this song and one of his S.O.O.N 2 highlights, Actions Over Captions, where the instrumentals and central theme are much alike – there’s no one that comes close to him because he’s hot property.
Sknny – Dues
“Need that rollie on my left wrist, I won’t even check the time with it.”
The Golden Child of Nigerian Hip Hop, Sknny, returned with this melodic bop to remind fans and opps alike that he’s paid his dues. “Married to the game, kissing a J, letting y’all in on my romance.”
Tyson Sybateli – It Worked (first verse)
His first offering of the year, Tyson Sybateli’s It Worked received critical acclaim, where he reveals that despite the hurdles that stood before him – he found a better path that worked for him. The celebratory track resonated with many listeners who also found their way and got back on their feet.
Psycho YP – Not My Fault
The poster boy of Nigerian Trap music, Psycho YP, returned to announce a forthcoming project, his first since 2022’s ‘YPSZN3.’YP. Here, he employs his signature British-accented smooth flow on the instrumental that threads the thin line between Afro Swing and Amapiano.
The hook is vibey and bouncy, more about fun than making a statement though YP does both comfortably. Knowledge, one half of Ajebo Hustlers, drops a stellar verse about a tastefully anti-social love interest.
Nasty C – No More
While on the brink of an anticipated album release, Nasty C announced and later dropped No More to a satisfactory response. Despite the underwhelming chorus, Junior holds it down in both verses (more so the second) where he trails his steps from his younger days of feeling undermined (verse 1) to boasting about his success and mocking his competition (verse 2).
$pacely – Burn
Nxwrth brought Ghana together with the release of Burn at the top of June but it was $pacely’s verse at the end that stands out for fans. As the title suggests, $pacely brought the fire and is, as they say, the cherry on top to close off an already heated track.
Blaqbonez – Stealth mode freestyle
Blaqbonez came with a chimney for a larynx, as he brought all the smoke on this freestyle. Stealth Mode is a breath of fresh air, a Kendrick Lamar Control-esque, declaration of “I am your father” – Luke Skywalker would be proud.
Blaq employs a silk-smooth delivery and bars that mention no names at all but are evident enough for the audience to know exactly who the sub is directed to (or at least take a wild guess).
Ladipoe – Guy Man
Ladipoe has mastered the art of blending a rap cadence with an Afrobeats instrumental to make an infectious hook. Here, the leader of the revival sets up an alley-oop for Bella’s hook as he addresses touchy subjects.
Critics have been giving Nigerian rappers a platter of flag for their habit of collaborating with Afrobeats artists. Ladi went straight for the jugular when he said “Because Afro hit no mean say hip hop’s dead.” As usual, his pen is strong and cadence impeccable, exalting the beauty of the alliterations employed by the ‘Afro Jigga’ rapper.
Novl. – Be Still, Be Humble
Taking a second look into VenomRaps’ Eunoia, we marvel at the guest verse from Be Still, Be Humble delivered by VenomRaps’ only feature, Novl. The broken preacher makes his return since Searching to shine his light on the dim witted and remind them to humble themselves in his presence.
What do you think? Did your favorite verse make the list? Let us know.
In the vibrant Nigerian music industry, numerous talented artists are continuously making waves and leaving their mark. One such artist is High M, an exceptional rapper who recently delivered a captivating and stellar performance at The HipHop Event, leaving the audience in awe. In this write-up HIPHOP AFRICA had a short interview with HIGH M and thus delves into the details of High M‘s performance from both the HipHop Event and Jive Sessions, highlighting his unique style, stage presence, and the impact he made on the Nigerian rap scene. Enjoy these 5 short briefs from High M’s musical journey to his next project.
Rapper High M
High M, born and raised in Nigeria, has emerged as a rising star in the country’s rap music scene. With his lyrical prowess, impeccable flow, and dynamic stage presence, he has garnered a significant following of fans who appreciate his authentic approach to rap. High M’s journey in music began several years ago, and he has since released a string of successful tracks, showcasing his talent and solidifying his place in the industry.
The High M Journey
Started music in my 4th year in the university, 2012, O.A.U, where I was studying Soil Science and Land Resources Management, and by the end of my 5th year/final already had 1 mixtape, 1 album, 2 EPs and numerous collaborations under then management INCUBATION FACTORY.
Now an independent artiste, and over a decade in the industry HIGH M original name IDOWU MICHAEL KAYODE is not a strange name in the rap game with numerous collaborations, production and songwriting credits
High M Performing on stage
The rapper, singer and songwriter is known for his lyricism, storytelling vibe and elite flows, followed with his sense of musicality which ended 2022 with a beautifully crafted EP, WHAT IF I LIED which has gained the Ears of industry lately and is still moving massively with a video OWO MI LOKE shot by ToyCamVfx and MEJE featuring ZAKI AMUJEI gaining massive radio plays.
Breast Comes First
The new single produced by German producer RUDOLF and Mixed by StarJizzy with Art Direction by REV FRESH has been a controversial but very catchy mid-tempo song one due to its title.
A very sultry classic where HIGH M flexes his vocal dexterity yet again not just to show he can just rap but sing. The song is available on all platforms
Jives Sessions
Regarded as a vibe machine by other acts in the industry, the rapper is one to look out for.
As the current top man on the leaderboard at www.jive.ng, HIGH M graced the stage on JIVE SESSIONS put together by LAYCON & Legendary Rapper M.I ABAGA, performing Breast Comes First for the first time and killing the show with his legendary freestyle session alongside other talented acts.
LAST NIGHT WAS A VIBE….. #JiveSession Can't thank y'all enough for the love!!!!!
His energetic and electric performance at the recently concluded HipHop Event at Hard Rock Cafe, Lagos headlined by Psycho YP and organized by MI Abaga, DayGenius, with Twix Da Jims as the Host and Legendary HipHop DJ Teckzilla on the turn-table, is one that has left the fans yearning for more.
Never shy to execute, this rapper was born to shine as he lit up the stage with his HipHop bangers off the EP, #WHATIFILIED; “Fxxk shii Up” and “That’s wassup” alongside top drill act Mo’Gunz
Next Project
“One more EP before the Album, Video shoots in works, a couple singles and more international collaborative works with industry top and rising cats. Keeping fingers locked” he said.
In commemoration of the Stonewall riots of June 1969 that fought for LGBT rights and liberation in the United States, ultimately spreading abroad – we celebrate what is now recognized globally as Pride month.
As members of the LGBTQ+ community continuously fight for liberation in societies that often seek to exclude them, we see them slowly gaining acceptance, with the entertainment and music industries (including the male-dominated world of Hip Hop) embracing them.
Below are some of Africa’s known and loved LGBTIQA+ rappers:
ZuluMecca
Pronouns: she/ her
A lyricist who needs no introduction, Zulumecca has built a career as one of the most respected emcees in the country. Also known for her acting, the award-winning and nominated Mandisa Nduna often acknowledges her ancestors in her raps and poetry. Mecca has also announced to be voicing Njabulo the surfer boy in the Disney Plus Pan-African animated series, Kizazi Moto (Generation Fire).
K.Keed
Pronouns: she/ her
Gugulethu-born rapper, K.Keed began making music back in 2018, influenced by a close friend to listen to Hip Hop more. Already a part-time poet and songwriter, hopping onto rap was second nature to the young Capetownian who has immersed herself in the world of local Hip Hop; collaborating with rappers such as Dee Koala and Blxckie, and partnering with local retailer, Red Bat.
Dope Saint Jude
Pronouns: she/ her
Catherine Saint Jude Pretorius, known professionally as Dope Saint Jude, is a popular Cape Town rapper and producer who began her career in 2011. After leaving her entertainment group to pursue a solo career, Saint Jude went on to perform at festivals such as the Cape Town International Jazz Festival and Afropunk while also releasing three EPs between 2016 and 2022.
Keko
Pronouns: she/ her
Ugandan rapper, Keko came into the limelight in 2010 with the release of Fallen Heroes, where she dropped what was considered the best verse in the song. This grew her popularity, leading to a slew of brand endorsements, chart-topping singles, a deal with Sony Music Entertainment Africa, and later establishing Malaba Pictures.
Angel-Ho
Pronouns: they/ them
Cape Town artist, producer, and performer, Angel-Ho, offers experimental music centered around social issues involving topics of gender identity and love, among many others while using their creativity to tell stories and build a lasting impression on fans and fellow performers, and music makers.
Noti Flow
Pronouns: she/ her
Foto Moto hitmaker, Noti Flow, is a popular Kenyan rapper and singer known for her high-energy club bangers as well as her alluring Instagram posts. Noti Flow has worked as an actress while musically, has collaborated with the likes of Raj and Benzema.
Gyre
Pronouns: he/ she/ they
Landing in the music scene officially in 2018 with the release of their debut album, Queernomics, Gyre quickly grew in the industry with their in-your-face, loud-and-proud music approach. They’ve since released a slew of singles with themes of sexual liberation and making a mockery of the competition (Resurrect)
Mx Blouse
Pronouns: they/ them
Currently embarking on a European tour, Mx Blouse, one of South Africa’s few gender-nonconforming rappers, offers a twist to their overall approach to music. Having been exposed to the likes of Tupac and Lauren Hill at an early age, Mx Blouse attended school with local veteran emcee, Kwesta, whose school-ground raps served as more inspiration for the Is’Phukuphuku rapper to pursue Hip Hop and DJ’ing.
This past weekend, Blxckie brought a raging crowd of attendees to The Somnyama Show at Cape Town’s Hearty Collective venue with co-headliner, A-Reece and other supporting performers.
As two of the country’s most valued artists, it was no doubt that fans would come in numbers to see their favorites in their element.
We got to see what went down in Cape Town; from their on-the-road vlog and preparations, to interviews and the actual event. Who knows? Blxckie and Reece may even have snuck in a song recording or two – we can only hope.
As the Arab world celebrates Eid el Kabir— the festival in remembrance of Ibrahim sacrificing a ram in place of his son Ismail to Allah.
We, the good people of Hip Hop Africa, bring you a list of the GOAT Muslim rappers from all over the continent to look out for.
Black Sherif (Ghana)
Black Sherif was introduced to most Africans when he collaborated with Nigerian global superstar Burna Boy on the remix of his sophomore official single ‘Second Sermon,’ and his urban sojourner anthem ‘Kwaku The Traveler’ became a viral TikTok hit in 2022.
Before all of the cross-continental success, the kid from Konongo Zongo was already making a name for himself in the Ghanaian underground Hip Hop scene with his debut official single ‘First Sermon.’
Blacko continued his impressive run with an impressive introspective album.
Magnito (Nigeria)
The name Mohammed Usman Adamu may not ring a bell, but the name Magnito definitely will if you are West African.
Magnito came into the rap game with his unique blend of Nigerian pidgin English and his native Hausa.
One of the few mainstream rappers from the North of the country, Magnito quickly rose to notoriety for his comedy-doused, local parlance driven and creative story-telling cinematography accompanied hits, starting from his 2016 debut ‘If I Get Money Eh.’
The song was so big that Nigerian Ragga and Dancehall superstar Patoranking had to jump on the remix.
Magnito has held the staple of Hausa/Northern rappers in Nigeria for years and is going nowhere anytime soon.
El Grande Toto (Morocco)
Nigerians and Sub-Saharan Africa as a whole were put on to El Grande through his collaboration with Nigerian Afrobeats singer Ckay on one of the numerous remixes of his global monster hit ‘Love Nwantinti’ in 2021.
Born Taha Fassi, Toto, as he is commonly called, is a Moroccan rapper, k Darija, known for rapping in a mixture of French and English.
The 26-year-old was the most listened artist in the MENA region on Spotify in 2021, with more than 135 million streams in 178 countries.
Jae Deen (Ghana)
Born in Ottawa, Canada, the 28-year-old was born Christian and later in his life reverted to Islam. Since then, he has been very vocal about his religious beliefs in his music.
The Ghanaian Muslim rapper performs with a group called Deen Squad, bringing a new Islamic flavor into the rap game.
Asare started off with remixes of popular songs, which led to him gaining more of a following on social media. Then began Deen Squad with his friend Karter Daher, and the rest, they say…is history.
Don Bigg (Morocco)
Toaufik Hazeb is one of the most well-known pioneers of Moroccan hip hop, starting his career in the Wesley 2000s and still performing to this day.
Don Bigg is also one of the most easily recognizable emcees in the country due to his physical appearance, which also resulted in his stage name.
The often socially conscious, Casablanca-born emcee debuted with his 2004 album ‘Banlieue Sale Music’. The album was critically acclaimed and earned him a cult following in Morocco. L of this Lesdimg to collaborations with well-known artists such as Kafon, Balti, and Mazagan.
Balti (Tunisia)
Balti is Tunisia’s best-known rapper and one of the founding fathers of hip-hop music in the country.
His most popular videos have reached 350,000 hits on YouTube, and he has performed on so many big stages, including sharing the stage with such Western rap idols as Method Man, performing to 50,000+ people.
Marwan Moussa (Egypt)
Next up, we move to the land of the Pharaohs and Pyramids. In the eighth edition of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMMA), Marwan Moussa took home plaques for Best African Rapper, Breakthrough Artist of the Year, and Best Artist in African Hip-Hop.
He is one of the most recognizable names in Tunisian hip-hop circles, and his collaborations with big Moroccan rappers had made sure his influence transcends beyond the Nile, all the way to the Mahgreb.
Marwan Pablo (Egypt)
Marwan Pablo is regarded as “Egypt’s Godfather of Trap.”
Pablo is known for his spitfire raps and heavy beats, everything that Pablo drops turns out to be a banger, from his hit single “Dhaba” – which has racked up 23 million views on YouTube so far – to his latest track “Racore”.
Perrie (Egypt/Morocco)
The only woman on our list is Egyptian-Moroccan rapper Perrie. Gender notwithstanding, Perrie has managed to achieve a lot in the male-dominated genre.
She was recently named the first female ambassador for Spotify’s Equal Arabia initiative, which spotlights female Arab musicians, with an impressive billboard in New York City’s Times Square in March.
Classiq (Nigeria)
Classiq is one of the youngest acts on this list, he is the leader of the new wave of Hausa rappers from Northern Nigeria.
He went viral for his collaboration with the then-biggest rapper out of West Africa, MI Abaga, on the song ‘Gudu.’
A well sought after name by show promoters and fans alike, Classiq almost exclusively raps in his native Hausa language and is known for his clever wordplay and metaphors.
What do you think of these rappers? Did we list your fave, who did we miss?
Make sure you check out these rappers representing Hip Hop in the Arab world.
