Ten Most Influential Rappers In Nigeria 2015

T.I.N Magazine[www.www.takemetonaija.com] has taken sometime to rate and list Nigeria’s most influential rappers as of 2015. The listings were rated according to the level of influence each rapper has in the music industry and Nigeria as a whole. This list wasn’t judged based on the fame or money a rapper has but their influence in someway or the other.
The no.1 person on the list is to be considered to be the most Influential rapper in Nigeria 2015.

10]SKALES

Skales, is a Nigerian rapper, singer-songwriter His debut single, “Must Shine”, received numerous spin on the Rhythm FM stations in Lagos, Jos and Abuja, Skales has recorded over 200 songs and collaborated with numerous artists, including eLDee, Jeremiah Gyang, Banky W. and Knighthouse. Some of his well known songs include “Shake Body”, “Mukulu”, “Keresimesi”, “Komole”, “My Baby”, “Take Care of Me” and “Denge Pose”. Skales established his record label, OHK Music. Skales’ debut album, Man of the Year, is scheduled to be released in 2015.

9]LYNXXX

Lynxxx, is a Nigerian hip-hop recording artist and entrepreneur. In 2010 he released his debut studio album This is Lynxxx and went on to become the first Nigerian artist to be endorsed by the global brand Pepsi. He is the originator of Jollof Musik – a genre he describes as “an artful blend of music to create great music.” In December 2010 Lynxxx released his debut album This Is Lynxxx. The album features a combination of musical genres, including urban hip hop, contemporary R&B, and infusions of funky house Lynxxx is also an entrepreneur. He established several successful businesses prior to his musical career, which include a clothing line called Syndik8 Denim, a digital recording studio called Red Room Studio, a media company called Happy Teddy Media (HTM), and Syndik8 Films.

8]NAETO C

Naeto C, is a Nigerian rapper, Afrobeat artist and record producer. A notable production achievement is the “I Believe” song Naeto wrote and co-produced with VC Perez (member of ET-Quake), which features himself, an up-and-coming R&B/Gospel artist, Sheun and Hugh Masekela from South Africa. Within the same year Naeto garnered a lot of experience performing, from Ikechukwu’s album launch to Chanel O awards to the I Believe Tour to Always promo tour with Sasha and many more gigs, in preparation for the phenomenal MTN Homecoming Concert, headlined by a popular friend, Nigerian pop sensation, D’banj, “Naeto C” has recorded over 50 songs for his debut with production that transcends today’s hip hop sound MO HIT RECORD, May 2008 From the Fela inspired “Lagos City Hustla”. Has endorsement deals to his name and ambassador titles. Also has own record label.

7]Eva Alordiah

Eva, is a Nigerian rapper, entertainer, make-up artist, fashion designer and entrepreneur. She is considered one of the best female rappers in Nigeria. Since her breakthrough into the Nigerian Music Industry, Eva has garnered several awards including one Nigeria Entertainment Award from 4 nominations, one Eloy Award, and one YEM award from 2 nominations. Her debut mixtape, The GIGO E.P, was released for free digital download on 20 November 2011. Eva is the owner of makeupByOrsela, a company that specialises in Makeup services. Eva’s debut studio album, 1960, was scheduled to be released in January 2015. She has been a good influence to upcoming female rappers in the industry even though she doesn’t have a debut studio album she still make the waves as a female rapper.

6]REMINISCE

Reminisce is a rapper/singer and song writer. He sings in English and his native language, Yoruba. The prolific producer ID Cabasa discovered him alongside his friends like Jahbless, 9ice & Lord Of Ajasa and Olamide. His album, recorded at Coded Tunes studio, was never released. Book Of Rap Stories is the first album by Reminisce and was released on 31 March 2012, He started recording the album since 2010 after linking up with the studio producer Sarz at Edge Records Studios, His second album, ALAGA IBILE, was officially released on 15 November 2013. This album is one of the most anticipated records of 2013 from a Nigerian rapper, The rapper was recently featured on Time Magazine’s website where he was named one of the seven World Rappers You Should Meet.

5]MODE 9

Mode 9, is a Nigerian rapper. As a seven time The Headies Lyricist on the Roll winner has 9 headies awards won by him making him the musician with the highest number of Headies.., he is the most decorated artist by the magazine. In 2014, he released a song titled “Super Human” with Jamaican-American rapper Canibus. He currently has 6 studio albums to his credit. In 2006 MODENINE won 3 HipHop World Awards and 3 Channel O Music Video Awards (The Biggest win of the NIGHT). He has this title “legendary lyricist” as his lyrics are mostly respected by so many Nigerian rappers and fans. Modenine is claimed to be one of the builders of the Nigeria music industry of today.

4]PHYNO

Phyno, is a Nigerian rapper and record producer. He started his musical career as a producer in 2003 and rose to fame in 2013. He is renowned for rapping in the Igbo language. His debut studio album, No Guts No Glory, was released in 2014. It produced the singles “Ghost Mode”, “Man of the Year”, “Parcel” and “O Set”. As a producer, he has worked with artists such as Timaya, Flavour, Ruggedman, Bracket, J Martins and Mr Raw. Phyno started his own indigenous thing looking up to the popular Yoruba rapper Olamide, phyno’s influence in the igbo rap music industry can not be left unnoticed as many igbo people are now doing their own thing just like Yoruba rap is trending in the country. Phyno haven’t stop releasing multiple hits since 2013, has won many awards and also has endorsement deals signed by him since his rise to fame. He has performed outside Nigeria many times with his Igbo rap thing.

3]M.I

He has won several awards including the MTV Africa Music Awards 2009. He was nominated in the Best International Act category at the BET Awards 2010. He rose to prominence in 2006 when his song “Crowd Mentality” became popular in his hometown of Jos. He is a music executive at Chocolate City. On 11 December 2008, M.I released his critically acclaimed debut album, Talk About It. M.I’s role in the music industry cannot be overstated. He has been responsible for bringing out many upcoming artistes such as Wizkid, Vypa, Jesse Jagz, Ruby, Pype, Ice Prince,Brymo and others. M.I is an artist with numerous awards and endorsement deals.
M.I was appointed a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador in 2012. M.I also supports the Jostified campaign.
M.I has achieved worldwide recognition as part of the vanguard of the “Afrobeats” wave.

2]ICE PRINCE

Ice Prince is a Nigerian Rapper who rose to limelight in 2010 after getting signed to Chocolate city record label in 2010.
He rose to fame after releasing “Oleku”, one of Nigeria’s most remixed songs of all time. He won the 2009 Hennessy Artistry Club Tour. His achievements include one BET Award, Ghana Music Awards,The Headies Awards,Nigeria Entertainment Awards Channel O Music Video Awards and others. Ice Prince is still signed to Chocolate City. His debut studio album, Everybody Loves Ice Prince, was released in 2011. In 2013, Ice Prince released Fire of Zamani as his second studio album. Ice prince have also bagged many endorsement deals and also an ambassador to reputable brands.
Ice prince has been featured by international artists and have also featured few international artists, the rapper has also remained active in the industry since he rose to limelight. It has also been revealed the rapper just launched his own record label this year with him still signed to chocolate city. So many artists look up to the rapper as he has also taken Afro-Pop in Nigeria to another level.

1]OLAMIDE

Olamide is an Indigenous Nigerian rapper who rose to limelight in 2010 after getting signed to Coded Tunes record label.
He released his debut studio album Rapsodi while signed to Coded Tunes. YBNL, his follow-up album, was released under his label imprint YBNL Nation which is still rated by many as his best album ever. On 7 November 2013, he released his third studio album Baddest Guy Ever Liveth And later released his fourth studio album in 2014 titled StretOT. In 2013 Olamide became the first Nigerian to sign an endorsement deal with Cîroc. Olamide has won several music awards, including multiple Nigeria Entertainment Awards and The Headies Awards Also had an endorsement deal with telecom giant Etisalat.
In 2014 Olamide became the first Nigerian Rapper to release four hit albums withing four years which actually is a difficult thing to do for most Nigerian artists. And the rapper has never seize to make multiple hits each year making him one of the most active Musicians in the Music industry. In 2014 Olamide signed two new artists to his record label with the two of them releasing hit singles and same year making impact in the industry and as at April 2015 Olamide has up to 5 artists signed to his label with all of them releasing hit singles. Not to mention the rapper have met with many big international artists and even done collabo with them. Few things the rapper has done have not been done by many other Nigerian rappers therefore his influence in the music industry wont be left unnoticed he is hereby named the most influential rapper in Nigeria 2015.

NOTE: THIS LIST IS NOT BASED ON SOMEONE’S OPINION IT IS LISTING RATED ACCORDINGLY BY OUR MAGAZINE AND OTHERS.
AND THIS IS NOT AN ALL TIME LISTING, THIS IS JUST FOR YEAR 2015 RATINGS MIGHT CHANGE NEXT YEAR.