In this comprehensive write up, we will be bringing to you who the best rappers in Africa are a list of the top 10 best in the African continent.
Hip-hop in Africa has gain global recognition now than never before. Some of the best rappers in Africa are also global icons. Whether you are a fan of rap music or not, you will definitely fall in love with a punchline at a point in time.
Rap music is so full of controversies and competition so much that every artiste in the genre will tell you he/she is the best.
In this article, we will be bringing to you the best rappers in Africa and the list of top 10 rappers as well
Best Rappers in Africa
Sarkodie
According to Hip-hop Africa, Sarkodie is among the best rappers in Africa. The celebrated rapper is also listed among the top 100 rappers in the world. He was announced the very first winner of BET’s Best International Flow act at the 2019 BET Hip Hop Awards.
Sarkodie is also considered one of the major proponents of the Azonto genre and dance. Sarkodie has released 5 studio albums(Mary and Alpha not counted) and several hit singles.
Sarkodie often raps in his native language Twi and is considered a “multifaceted rapper” due to the various musical styles he possesses. He is one of the most awarded musicians on the continent with received 92 awards from 165 nominations.
2. Nasty C
Nsikayesizwe David Junior Ngcobo known professionally as Nasty C, is a South African rapper, songwriter, and record producer. He was the youngest recipient for an award at the 2015 South African Hip Hop Awards, namely the Best Freshman Award.
Nasty C is South Africa’s best rapper and is taunted one of the best rappers in Africa by some of the pundits in his country.
In March 2020, Nasty C signed a joint venture deal with Def Jam Records, and released his United States official single after joining Def Jam, “There They Go”, which gained him global recognition, he then released his third album on 28 August 2020, and his first on the label which is titled Zulu Man with Some Power (2020).
Khaligraph Jones
Another Artiste recognized by some as one of the best rappers in Africa is Khaligraph jones from Kenya. His impeccable flow, consistency in the game has earned him the accolade of the best rapper in Africa.
Born Brian Ouko Omollo, Jones became the first Kenyan rapper to win an international award.
In 2020 he was nominated for the BET Awards. His nomination was for the Best International Flow category. He was up against South Africa’s Nasty C, Brazil’s DJonga, Ivorian Kaaris and eventual winner, grime rapper Stormzy from the UK. In May 2021 he was named the East African Rapper of the Year at MTN Uganda.
Falz
Folarin Falana better known by his stage name Falz, is a Nigerian rapper, songwriter, and actor. He began his career while in secondary school after forming a group called “The School Boys” with his friend before his professional career as a music artist began in 2009.
Falz became more well-known after his song “Marry Me” featuring vocals from Poe and Yemi Alade.In June 2016, Falz was voted the winner of the “Viewer’s Choice Best New International Act” category at the 2016 BET Awards
He currently owns an independent record label called Bahd Guys Records. Falz has been named one of the best rappers in Africa
Khuli Chana
Khulan Morule known by his stage name Khuli Chana, is a South African Motswako rapper.
Khuli Chana rose to fame after releasing his major successful album Motswakoriginator, which infuses both the Setswana and English languages. Motswako is a mixture of both languages and the sound and style of music originates from Mahikeng, a small town in the North West Province.
He has shared a stage with US rapper Drake, as an opening act.
Cassper Nyovest
Another one of the best rappers in Africa is Cassper Nyovest.
Refiloe Maele Phoolo professionally known as Cassper Nyovest, is a South African rapper, dancer, songwriter, entrepreneur and record producer.
Nyovest rose to fame with the release of his debut studio album, Tsholofelo (2014) which produced the successful singles “Gusheshe” and “Doc Shebeleza”.
His first set of awards was in 2013 when he won four awards at the second edition of the South Africa Hip Hop Awards. On 13 April, he received a nomination at the 12th Headies Award in Nigeria in the category of Best African Artiste alongside Nasty C, Sarkodie from Ghana, Kenyan group Sauti Sol, and Tanzanian singer Vanessa Mdee.
Read Top 10 Richest Musicians in Africa
Olamide
Olamide Adedeji known professionally as Olamide is a Nigerian hip hop recording artist. He records mostly in Yoruba, his native tongue. Olamide also known as Baddo is among the best rappers in Africa at the moment.
He was the first-ever Nigerian artist to seal a deal with Ciroc. And has sold out several theaters in Nigeria. In 2017 he sold out the Eventim Apollo of 5000 capacity, He also sold out his Culture Tour alongside Phyno at the building six in The O2 Arena.
In 2015, he won the Best Street-Hop artist, Best Rap artist of the year and, the Artist of the year at the Headies.
M.I. Abaga
Jude Abaga known as M.I Abaga, is a Nigerian rapper, songwriter, and record producer. He was CEO of Chocolate City from June 2015 to 2019. He won Best Hip Hop and Best New Act at the 2009 MTV Africa Music Awards and 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
AKA
Kiernan Jarryd Forbes, known professionally as AKA, is a South African rapper, songwriter, record producer, singer, and entrepreneur. Forbes gained significance after releasing his single “Victory Lap” which was released from his debut album, Alter Ego. He was nominated for the BET best international act in 2014.
Over the years, AKA has established himself as the best rapper in Africa. His consistency in releasing some of the best songs in the hip-hop genre.
He has three studio albums which include Levels (2014), Touch My Blood (2018), Bhovamania (2020) and the collaborative album, Be Careful What You Wish For alongside Anatii (2017).
M.anifest
He won Best Rapper and Hip-Hop song of the year at the 2017 Ghana Music Awards. Kwame Ametepee Tsikata known by his stage name M.anifest is a rapper from Ghana.
Read Richest Musicians in Ghana
In 2012, BBC’s arts program The Strand tipped him as one of four acts to look out for in 2012. In 2015 M.anifest’s single “Someway bi” earned him a third-place honor in the International Songwriters Competition (ISC).
Ladipoe
Among the list of the best rappers in Africa is sensation Ladipoe from Nigeria.
Ladipo Eso popularly known as Ladipoe or Poe is a Nigerian musician. On 28 February 2017, Ladipoe signed a record deal with Mavin Records.
He rose to prominence with the song “Feel Alright” where he got featured by SDC “Show Dem Camp”.
Ladipoe was born and raised in Lagos. He attended the University of North Carolina at Pembroke majoring in both Biology & Chemistry. It was there he got into music and co-founded the group Lyrically Equipped with his friends Jeffrey and Kurt. He was then signed to Mavin Records by Don Jazzy in 2017.
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