It’s another Thursday and we have compiled a list of Naija Throwback Rap songs that would remain evergreen.
While Afrobeat and Afropop is currently the main genre dominating the Nigerian Music Industry, in the late 90s to early 2000s, Rap/Hip-Hop was the reigning genre.
Thanks to the influence from the American Hip-Hop genre, a lot of Nigerian Artists as of that time produced songs that fused Hip-Hop and R’n’B sung mostly in English or the artist’s local dialect.
Today, we look back at those songs that rocked the dancefloor and changed the music industry.
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Catch Cold- Maintain
At the time of its release, if you weren’t rocking to this song, you wouldn’t be seen as cool. Maintain was made of cousins, Tolu Maintain and Olu Maintain who were popular in the early 2000s for their catchy rap songs.
‘Catch Cold’ released in 2002 was one of their popular hit songs, the song sampled Ludacris’ “Area Codes”.
Mr Lecturer- Eedris Abdulkareem
Conversations on the success of the rap industry won’t be complete without the inclusion of Eedris Abdulkareem. The music Activist irked a Whole sitting President with his socio-political song, “JagaJaga”
In 2006, the rapper released a song titled “Mr Lecturer,” a song that tells the story of the act of lecturers having S*x with the student to make them pass. Years later the song became relevant after the popularity of BBC’s “Sex for Grades” documentary.
Pon Pon Pon- Dagrin
Late Dagrin is remembered for his impact on the rap industry in just the short time he spent, most especially making Indigenous rap songs commercial success. One of the songs that made him popular was ‘Pon Pon Pon’, off his sophomore album “C.E.O.”
Producer, Sossick provides back up vocals, while DaGrin runs into bar after bar about his innate confidence and well-versed rap skills. The result is what perhaps became Nigeria’s first viral hit with quips and references spawned off Da Grin’s cheeky lyrics on social media and everyday conversations.
Shakamo- Remedies
Comprising resident rapper Eedris Abdulkareem and singers Tony Tetuila and Eddie Remedy, the Remedies were a Hip-Hop group that dominated airwaves between the late 90s and early 2000s.
“Shakomo” released in 1997 was one of their big hits that rocked the dancefloor. The hook is mostly sung in Yoruba is handled by Eedris, and the melody leans into the smoothness of R&B.
Nobody Test me- Jess Jagz ft M.I Abaga, Ice Prince
Former Chocolate City artists, M.I Abaga, Jesse Jagz, & Ice Prince have had a huge impact on the evolution of Naija Hip-Hop.
This 2010 released single “Nobody Test Me” by Choc Nation featuring M.I Abaga, Jesse Jagz, and Ice Prince is a clear testament to that.
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Kabakaba- Konga ft Remi Aluko, Dagrin
Released in 2011, ‘Kabakaba’ was the first single off Konga’s Album of the same name. Featuring Fuji artist, Remi Aluko and Late Dagrin, this song showed how the Fuji genre and Hip-hop are of the parent and blend well.
Baraje -Ruggedman
Ruggedman was one of the men who shaped the Nigerian Hip Hop/Rap Music Industry. Though he was known for his controversial style of pushing hip hop music (which includes “beef” and firing shots at other rappers/artists), it’s kinda like his own way of giving it an identity, he also released some hits that rocked the dancefloor back then.
Released in 2005, “Baraje” was one of such songs that got people dancing at the time of its release. It was produced by the late music producer, OJB Jezreel.
Ten over Ten- Naeto C
“Ten Over Ten” is the third single from Nigerian rapper Naeto C‘s Super C Season album. It was released on August 16, 2010.
The song is produced by Nigerian producer Ty Mix. It is an up-tempo track and its rhythm and lyrics have a good laid back feel to it.
Yebariba Samboribobo- Sauce Kid
Sauce Kid who now goes by the alias ‘Sinzu’ now was one of the rappers who had the clubs banging with their groovy tracks.
His instant hit song “Yebariba Samboribobo“ (a spin-off Remy Ma’s Conceited and produced by Scott Storch) was a national anthem and later on, parlance now commonly used amongst Nigerians.
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DJ Stramborella – Efrebor
Stramborella undoubtedly is one of Nigeria’s foremost DJs who engineered the music artship alongside his wheel-spinning prowess.
Together with Slim and Jimmy Jatt, they pioneered the trend that has become a game-changer for Deejaying industry.
This throwback takes us to the time when his dance hall track Efrebor (built on Beenie Man’s Dude instrumentals) reigned supreme.
The track taken from his album of the same title and released in 2005 features industry mates Uzio & Mo Dogg whose rap lines and vocals show how much the music art showmanship has changed.