By Osagie Alonge
- Can these 12 rappers keep the flag of hip-hop flying high?
At a time when hip-hop in Nigeria is being sidelined by other genres of music, it’s safe to say the artform is facing tough times.
Hip-Hop surely needs a fresh crop of MCs to restore lost glory.
NET has put together ’12 Next Rated Rappers’ – a strong list of cats who are yet to officially release a full album – who can take the bull by the horns and grab back all the power the culture has lost. Some already known, others pretty new, these 12 rappers have shown and are still exhibiting tendencies to blow up in 2012 and beyond.
(Random fact: Chocolate City rapper M.I has ‘c0-signed’ seven of these rappers in the recent past. And yes, D’Prince made the list)
BEAZY
Afolabi Durotoye stands out amongst his peers simply because of the amount of work he has put into his budding career. Releasing mixtape upon mixtape, he has over the last few years made his rounds in the hip-hop circuit. And with the record breaking ‘Beazy Music Mondays’ project which saw him release 52 songs in 2011, this young cat has nothing but success awaiting him.
EFA
Smart, witty and musically appealing, Efa Guevara has in the last year gained attention from both male and female folks. With a co-sign from one of the top rated rappers M.I back in 2010, the 25-year-old began his journey and scored an impressive release ‘The Waka EP’ last year. We hear he will also be featuring on M.I’s ‘Illegal Music II’.
EVA
Although still a starter, Eva Alordiah is already considered one of the best female rappers in Nigeria. Not very potent when it comes to lyrical content, she covers up her shortcomings with braggadocios rhymes, brilliant delivery, sexual content and an appealing brand. The rapper has quite a number of cameos with known acts including Psquare and Knighthouse. Her ‘GIGO’ EP was positively received and a feature in the 2011 BET Cypher also helped to increase her ranking.
D’PRINCE
The Mo’Hits member and younger brother to producer extraordinaire Don Jazzy made his intro quite a long time ago but still hangs in the next rated category with no signs of releasing a debut album. He has however dropped some of the hottest singles in the last three years. Although he remains burdened by the talent question, D’Prince is surely a rapper to watch out for in the coming years.
LOOSE KAYNON
Loose has been in the game for a while but we didn’t pay him much attention until his cameo appearance on M.I’s ‘M12’ album. The rapper who is responsible for the weekly ‘Open Mic Night’ is now considered a potential hip-hop star as he has already been signed unto M.I’s Loopy Music record label. Constantly killing features, Loose appears now ready to shoot off.
PHENOM
Now the new general at Knighthouse, Phenom has been lurking in the shadows for long. Tearing up rap cyphers, the 19-year-old has now been made first choice at Knighthouse with Mo’Cheddah out of the picture. His feature on M.I’s ‘6 foot 7 foot’ off the ‘Illegal Music II’ mixtape made him trend in Nigeria for a day. If that isn’t any indication, then what is?
POPE DA HITMAN
He might be on the low for now but Pope has made his rounds and surely deserves to make the list. Signed to Kackland Records, he shot up a while ago with impressive singles and follow up videos. He is however yet to drop a debut album. Discovered by talent manager Osagie Osarenkhoe and also co-signed by M.I., the ‘youngin’ will definitely pull some power moves in the months to come.
PRYSE
Being away from the country didn’t stop Pryse from introducing herself into the Nigerian Hip-hop scene two years ago. After a series of remixes and singles she completed her University education in the UK and returned to Nigeria last year. Months later she got signed by Chocolate City and will represent the label as its first lady. Lyrically competitive, it will be interesting to see how Pryse will make her mark after taking verbal shots at fellow ‘femcees’ Kel and Mo’Cheddah.
REMINISCE
The street-themed MC has been in the underground scene for quite a while. His career break came in 2008 when he featured on ‘Bachelor’, a track off 9ice’s ‘Gongo Aso’ album. Latter works with 9ice, Jah Bless and a successful street-dance anthem ‘Kako bi Chicken’ have only put him in the fore front with fans now anxiously asking for an album.
SERIKI
Yoruba rap won’t be left out; at least Seriki won’t let it. Signed to 9ice’s Alapomeji Records, Seriki took it upon himself with one verse back in 2010 to further sink Ruggedman’s rap career after Modenine began the quest. The Yourba-lingo rapper will debut this year and – be warned – this one will be heavy competition for the likes of oLamide and Jhybo.
SKALES
The EME rapper has received co-signs from the likes of Terry Tha Rapman, Overdose and M.I. His signing with EME has further increased his fan-base and appeal. Skales might just have the most pressure right now, following the huge success of his friend and label mate Wizkid – who rose from debutant to superstar in a matter of months. All eyes are now on the 21-year-old rapper -but label boss Banky W has assured us Skales will deliver.
Yung 6ix
Making an entrance into the Nigerian hip-hop scene all the way from Warri, Delta State isn’t any easy feat at a time when the city of Lagos remains dominant in determining who blows up and who doesn’t. But that’s exactly what Yung 6ix did. After his remix of Ice Prince’s ‘Oleku’ went viral on blogs and yet another co-sign from M.I, the young rapper made his way to Lagos and bagged himself a double label deal with 411 Entertainment and Storm Records. Singles with Wizkid, fellow label mates and a follow up ‘Green light Green’ mixtape has placed him way above his peers.
58 comments
Interesting but i think skales n d’prince i know shouldn’t b on d list they not good rappers they dont ve flows or lyrics they better off singers
#gbam skales is wack esp dprince dat guy is d definition of wackness.Where is VECTOR,who composed dis tarsh called list.NET u guys are always funny as in VECTOR is number ONE
why is everyone asking 4 vector? vector isnt upcoming any more o, dint u guys get d memo?
Skales and Prince aint rappers. Seriki? Laff don wound me. Where are Chinaydu, IBK Spaceship boi, Esojay Luciano (#gbabe) and co? I guess the writer wasnt in Naija during the Don Jazzy Enigma contest. This is scrap abeg.
U guys just need to here this upcoming rapper, carexxx. Mehn i think he’s da bomb. His lyrics- tyt, his flow- lugadocious, his delivery- inshort i tink u shud listen for urself. That is good music. Peace out.
I wonder what Seriki n D’prince are doinq on this list. You didnt mention Dharsaw(Daqrin reincarnated). Why don’t u just make it 10 instead of 12 or must it be 11 players, 1 coach? As for those sayinq Skales is nt worth it, listen to headinq for qrammy n feel the flow. My prob wif him is his commercialisation. Someone shlp please tell him to learn from Iceprince. Ice is driftinq towards pop datz why his album is recievinq lukewarm review.
So M.I has to co-sign b4 we listen to rap music nw eh biko nu? Oh and BTW D’prince shldnt be on dat list
This list is crap menh were is Vector, Erigga,Terry d rapman and Kida Kudi they did’t called those guys i listed cos 2 me Kida Kudi is d guy u all av been waitin 4. Abeg the net make una change dat list o ICE KID NAANI
where is erigga nd yunghanz??and 4 ur info skales is WACK
I think dprince should’nt ave bin on dat list,n i think skales should ave bin first on d list.KIDA KUDI nor wory na world best top 12 we go 3MGz 4 life…..
As with any such “List” opinions will vary as to who’s been left out. Granted we have LOADS of talented rappers that did not make this list but 1 person on this list DEFINITELY shouldn’t have made it; D’Prince. In my opinion “some of the hottest singles in the last three years” is NOT enough reason for him to be on this list. I find it hard to classify him as a rapper, even a wack one. Take him off the list and you’ve got a pretty decent representation of cats to watch out for.
Everyone is of course entitled to his opinion and this review to me is quite fair except for a couple of names. There are more talented names,i mean rappers who are truly pushing the art not just putting out any commercial stuff to suit their labels.
Such talented Names as >>BaseOne, Spaceman, Mista Books, Laji Dwayem, etc.
Props tho.
Have always been Å̶̷̩̥͡ follower of the NET ng but this has to be the Worst piece written ever.
1. What’s the point of highlighting the fact that MI personally signed 7 of the artists.
2. Pardon my ignorance, but I couldn’t count 5 Artists that MI signed on your list.
3. If you are an ardent lover of Hip-Hop as you claim,You would know that some weeks ago, Don Jazzy made Å̶̷̩̥͡ statement admitting that D’prince was never really good as Å̶̷̩̥͡ rapper, So they had to convert him. I still wonder how he got his spot on your list .
4. Can you pls tell me the three ‘monster’ tracks that D’prince released.
5. What happened to X_O n IBK ? I hope you didn’t miss the BET Cypher.
Pls till this issues are addressed, I’ll think twice before I read anything posted on hear again.
Sincerely
@Don_Segxi
A co-signer in hip-hop is a person who is the guarantor of upcoming talent.
So M.I didn’t sign them. ode
I think D’prince should make it. He is a rapper, wack or not doesn’t mean you won’t blow.
He has the tendency to raise his career if he drops the album
The list is on point!
It hurts that talent is now being defined by how much hype you can pay for… Peace and power.
Why is x.o senavoe not on this list, I tink a mistake was made omitting him, nobody on the list with probably the exception of phenom is half as good as him, he was also included in the BET cypher (which is a testament of how good he is), and he was quite impressive.
And those who are talkin about vector, vector bawo? They said upcoming naaa! People who are nt that successful yet and if you tink skales is not good, listen to heading for a grammy. #NuffSaid
You would know when dey pay people are sucking on label asses…what is skales and d prince doin dere,and vector is missing.
Osagz!!! This is u kissing ass big time!! So we’re still waiting for Loose to blow up? Lmao!! Where’s XO on the list?
The only person that deserves to be on this list is Beazy. Nuff said.
There’s is a new gal na. You did’t even talk of her. Timeless Da Empress, she’s good. I download her 2singles bobo mi and the reason. After listening to it on air. She rap and does Ragga. We look to see her. Maybe cus she don’t has a record deal yet. She’s trying
She Is now a jehovah’s witness na, sincee she nor fit shine for Music and movie industry llolzzzz na the economy? Abi God call her? After shee don waste money taya for muzik! Na wa ooo. One of my paddy know her well and them serve for ebonyi together. *pity*
D’prince should be de listed immediately.
why is MI, Vector & Olamide isnt on ds list?
Ojoro.
As 4me…these is cramp…! The liks of seriki wateva,,reminise,, thes ar wackos na… 4 cryin out lound,they just makin noise wit dia yoruba tin…. Skales,yung6,,,phenon they are also gud,wit thd sung i’av heard 4rm them…
This is juss a ‘watch-out for’ list not a list on all rappers..so no one’s missing…if u think skales shudnt be on that list..i’ld suggest u upgrade ur music ear..he has a unique flow..as for dprince..hez aii…this is a watchout list..dont crucify!
D’Prince shouldn’t have been included.Skales is a gud rapper.Listen to these Songs 1.Misunderstood .2.Keresimesi .3.Wasn’t me(No church in the Wild West) .4.Can’t stop me.
Seriki is also good.
But am not sure about EFA.His hit Song No1 is not rap to me.And his other song i heard,he sang.For the Enigma artist only Teeklef and IBK has released more materials.NET is not talking about the best,They are talking about next rated/bigthing.But NET what about IceBerg Slim.And please don’t tell me Muna is not included because she’s A-list rap artist.NET,i think it better to make another LIST.
Seriki and Reminisce are not wack.Reminisce is the definition of hiphop.And did you know Reminisce and Vector are beefing each other.Vector’s first line Street Kitchen is directed to Reminisce and Reminisce replied with Ata.Just a one verse rap song.Check Reminisce Kako bi Chicken Video.At the end,something was written “O ta le nu”.And Vector’s first line in Street Kitchen was “te ba ro pe eyin ata,ani tomato to ma to”.I love beef.It made us know Kelly Hansome is a good rapper.
is dprince a rapper?that guy na dust bin sorry to say oh…………. wot of yung hanz is M.I blind
I fink seriki nd reminisce re beta dan most of D rappers on dat list.. Non of them can battle/freestyle dan seriki… SMVA 2010
Nd A.Y open mic 2010. Seriki freestyle 4 more than 30mins which has neva bin done by any 9ja rappers.watchout 4 reminisce Book of rap music nd seriki first impression album Dis year.
My own list
1.yung6ix
2.yunghanz
3.skales
4.phenom
5.muna
6.erigga
7.kida kudi
8.loose kaynon
9.blaize
10.t large
na my own list b dat o
Fantastic list:::I’d give skales eva and pope a 10::: dope artists 2 watch out 4
To see eva’s rhymes are weak is a bit unfair. She killed the bet cypher.
I think this list is instigated by M.I cuz MI seems to have co-signed most of the artist here, they think its only those who are presently in the limelite that knows how to rap, this publisher needs to make more research before publishing. Others might not have record label or sponsor to help them run their promo but that doesn’t mean they don’t no how to flow.
Seriki is beta than jybo nd olamide. Even Dagrin self dey beg am 4 collaboration b4 he died. He outshine dagrin on tinko ko remix. I fink skales is also gud nd gat swaggs as well.bt seriki is undisputed.
who d hell says EVA’S rhymes are weak?opn ur deaf ears….net
men,for d first tym,am so so so so pissed by dis article,on d 12.u put seriki,prince,yung6,dat writer shld b listenin to fuji…Skales n Eva only make sense,but phenomis tite….pls report for alaroye.
partial or wat?d’prince?wer u na put terry dd rapman,olamide instead of seriki i fynk
just want u to see dis upcoming star, it will be filmtrick wen my enemy see me shinning.
LIST NOT YET COMPLETE WITHOUT JALAY A.K.A MR IROPO.HE IS A YOUNG MAN YOU SHOULD WATCHOUT FOR…CHECK HIS TRACK ON HIS FACEBOOK PROFILE(JALAY MRIROPO)
Da Prince>? like seriosly>? da prince?
he cant sing a tune or rap a line to save his life.. da prince is not a rapper , musician, artiste or even musically inclined.. no rhythm no style. no accent.
Beazy is ok, but shouldnt be in this list.. if this was nigerias own freshman list then am highly dissapointed…
beazy.. NO
EFA |NO
POPE ..NO
YUNG SIX NO
DA PRINCE HELL TO DA NO. LIKE NOO WAY
the rappers expected to take the bull by the horn.. are still around.. i know its not NetNG that made this list.. those who did shuld get back to thier headphones and listen to some great nigerian upcoming rappers…..
NB… Spaceship boi is on point!!
phenom is the right guy who gad the skills rymicaly grown and ready 2 pick the challenge.on to D’prince he is jus a cuky muzician not raper
Mehn…dis list is crumpy where is vector,cynthia morgan,saucekid?am nt sayin d listed emceez r wack bt lets face d fact.baby
Mehn…y’all listen 2 diz up n comimg emceez.eg.brino markson,reborn,pauchino.dis niggaz r hotter upcoming rhymers n wordplayerz.baby d frm mokoya str
skales and phenom is what we nid
Check out t-nero and big mo…
Guys teach me how to catch this fish, I got 2 hot crazy song on ground……guys 07030663506. I believe una
After reading every one comments i was forced to comment, it seems most of you don’t know the meaning of upcoming. nonsense
Beazy is d boss,d rapper wit tight flows u can hear #50 #100 2 confirm.I tink Seriki also should be on dat list.those likes mentioning Vector,Saucekid nd d likes of dem,dey ‘re not upcoming but top rappers in d industry.mann,4 Beazy 2 record 52 hiphop songs in a year,he is my no 1 so dat means d flows ‘re evalastin.4 more enlightenment call me on 08131364609,PIN:21809901.d only guy having only nos on his BB PIN.fanks.
..z terry tha rapman an upcominq rapper?..person wey don tey 4 hiphop world
icekid ..z terry tha rapman an upcominq rapper?..person wey don tey 4 hiphop world
I kinda agree with the line up especially blokes like seriki,skales,eva and that EFA of a boy.(take-banana.blogspot.com)
It crazy 2 critizise dprince,skales… cos dey are starz
All dose saying Skales should nat b on dat list re fools..dey nid 2 stop listening 2 Hip hop nd switch 2 Makosa..As 4 D prince ah knw he is wack Even seriki..Buh 4 me skales is d Perfect listen 2 his song title-Omo
Olamide is among o
U guyz should stop talking rubbish about S to d K(Skales) ofcos him and yung6ix are d perfect yung dudes 2 watch in the industry includin phenom after he was featured in M.I illegal music 11….. Yung6ix zombie and Export ft M.I, skales d favourite… Lixten to his Tomorrow,omo and so on…. Plz u guyz should grow up in watching skales and yung6ix.. U all based in watching wizzy nd R’n’b coo… Davido!!
U guyz are crazy…. Wotzz d’prinz doing on viz f**kn list. Z he a rapper????? Mad guyzzz…… Seriki is a mad man nof a rapper, wof iz reminisce also doing. U are really mad. If u like dnt post d comment. Mitchewww
Yung6ix, Phenom, Skales are the Rappers there the rest are just wash most especially the D’Prince