These are the top 10 Nigerian street hop musicians that shook the industry in 2021
The Nigerian-birthed street hop subculture has come a long way since it was created some 6 years ago through a blend of indigenous rap and Afropop and here in 2021 the top 10 Nigerian street hop musicians that shook the industry
This blend is one largely credited to being pioneered by indigenous rap veteran, Olamide. Back then, it was a musical affair characterized by beats faster than the already up-tempo pop songs Nigerians danced to.
Top 10 Nigerian street hop musicians that shook the industry in 2021
Naira Marley
Azeez Adeshina Fashola, known professionally as Naira Marley, is a British-Nigerian singer and songwriter.
He is known as the president of his controversial fan base, “Marlians”
Zlatan Ibile
Omoniyi Temidayo Raphael known professionally as Zlatan Ibile, is a Nigerian rapper, singer, songwriter, musician, and dancer. From Ijurin Ekiti, Ijero local government area, Ekiti state
He is the CEO and founder of Zanku records.
In 2014, he won the Airtel-sponsored One Mic talent show held in 2014, Abeokuta, Ogun State
Bella Shmurda
Like a prophetic singer, the big break for Akinbiyi Abiola Ahmed or Bella Shmurda, came following the Olamide-bearing remix to his Vision 2020 single.
From that moment on, he’d gone from being another student musician in Nigeria to being the street-hop singing voice of his generation after his friend Poco Lee, a dancer and street hop personality, had connected him with the Nigerian rap icon.
Bella Shmurda, like a man on a mission, then released his debut project, High Tension to critical acclaim
Zinoleesky
Before June 2019, Zinoleesky, full name Azeez Oniyide, had been an Instagram sensation who thrilled his fans and viewers with short clips where he freestyled acapella in his style which is fresh, soulful approach to Fuji music.
His status changed later that year following the favorable release of his Zlatan-featured single, Money, that catapulted into a street music favorite, blared from speakers and barbershops in popular slum areas all over Lagos.
He then got signed by Naira Marley to his Marlian Music record label which has been responsible for pushing out his debut EP Chrome Eccentric, with the hit single, Kilofeshe.
Mohbad
Christmas in the pandemic-riven 2020 was a different and marginally less festive affair from what we’ve all come to know but Mohbad and Rexxie’s KPK was one of the December jams that helped retain that air of festivity during the season.
That is however not Ilerioluwa Dimeji Aloba or Mohbad’s only hit as, before that, he’d given the streets an anthem with Naira Marley and Lil Kesh on Ponmo Sweet, and is currently running the airwaves with his profound storytelling on Sorry and vibrant delivery on Jafafa.
Seyi Vibes
While the Bariga-bred Seyi Vibez born Oluwaseyi Balogun is yet to have a mainstream hit single to his name, the singer is a fan-favorite on the streets of Lagos where the core elements of street-hop are birthed. p0;\
This love for his vivid and moving storytelling laced over mostly trap-influenced instrumentals has translated to the artiste who has referenced his humble beginnings as the son of a plumber, getting at least 6 million streams each on Audiomack on his more popular songs such as Pay Day, God Sent and Catalyst. With other records averaging 2 million streams.
Candy Bleakz
In 2020, a Nigerian prestigious record label and home to some of our favorite rappers, Chocolate City, bought into the street hop scene by not only signing a rising act from the scene but a female pink-haired rapper, Candy Bleakz full name Akiode Blessing.\\
Self-described as ‘Ladies Dragon’ her alias is an uncontested one as her fire bars and energetic flow on records like her recent Baba Nla with Teni, her standout track Owo Osu with Naira Marley and Zlatan, as well as her street-banging Kelegbe, have proved.
Balloranking
Away from the fast-paced side of street-hop music that gives focus to themes of young, wild, and free-living, exists a pensive and deeply prayerful side, with the singer lifting their voice up to God with requests for wealth and long life.
For Balogun Olamilekan or Balloranking, the son of a welder, whose voice is one that conveys depth from the moment he states his name, this is the sort of song he’s dedicatedly created.
With singles like Never Die Poor to Never Stop Trying and recently, Holiday— which is an evocative tune currently circulating playlists in corners of Lagos, the street-hop musician continues to steadily mark his vocal imprint on the corridors of the genre.
Jaido P
Sometime in 2020, Jaido P’s Olamide-featured Tesina Pot hit the airwaves with all the potential that banger tracks come with.
It had served as his breakout single, introducing the airwaves to one of the many sounds of Taiwo Olajide or Jaido P whose style ranges from Afro-pop to rap, with street-hop serving as the platter on which he presents these sides. Since then he’s put out another club-banger record, Brokoto, and is set to put out his debut project, Shopla which already has a single titled Survive with Olamide, out.