Nigeria’s Hip Hop Music Scene in 2020

The Nigerian hip hop music scene is heating up in 2020 with a number of artists making waves both locally and internationally. In this post, we take a look at some of the biggest names in the Nigerian hip hop music scene and what they have been up to in 2020.

The Growth of Hip Hop in Nigeria

There is no doubt that 2020 has been a difficult year for everyone, but Nigerian hip hop artists have continued to thrive and grow despite the challenges. The Nigerian music scene is more vibrant than ever, with artists like Burna Boy, Wizkid, and Davido leading the way. Let’s take a look at the top Nigerian hip hop songs of 2020.

The early days

Nigeria’s hip hop scene began in the early 1990s, with Nigerian artists borrowing heavily from American hip hop styling and lyrics. Early pioneers included Nigga Raw, Danny Young, Daddy Showkey and Modenine. By the mid-1990s, a distinctly Nigerian sound began to emerge, with artists like FreshPrince, Lagbaja, Eedris Abdulkareem and Tony Tetuila leading the way. In the 2000s, Nigerian hip hop really took off, with a new wave of artists such as D’banj, Eldee, Mode 9, Terry Tha Rapman andhumanzineshooting to fame.

Today, Nigerian hip hop is more popular than ever before, with a host of new stars such as Vector tha Viper, M.I., Jesse Jagz, Wizkid and Ycee leading the way. The scene is also now more diverse than ever before, with trap and afrobeat-influenced styles becoming increasingly popular.

The rise of hip hop in Nigeria

Nigeria has been producing music for many years, but it was not until the late 1990s that hip hop began to emerge as a popular genre. The first Nigerian hip hop artists to gain widespread fame were Plantashun Boyz, who released their debut album in 2000.

Since then, Nigeria’s hip hop scene has continued to grow, with a new generation of artists such as M.I., Femi Kuti, and Wyclef Jean gaining international recognition. Nigeria is now home to a thriving hip hop industry, with many artist signed to major record labels and numerous music festivals and awards ceremonies taking place each year.

In recent years, Nigeria’s hip hop scene has been overshadowed by the rise of Afrobeats, but there are still many gifted rappers and producers working in the genre. Here are 10 of the best Nigerian hip hop artists making waves in 2020.

The Mainstreaming of Nigerian Hip Hop

In 2020, the Nigerian hip hop music scene has continued to grow and evolve. Nigerian hip hop artists are mainstreaming and becoming more popular both in Nigeria and abroad. This article will explore the Nigerian hip hop music scene in 2020 and the main reasons for its mainstreaming.

The influence of American hip hop

The Nigerian hip hop scene has been greatly influenced by American hip hop. The first wave of American hip hop artists to have an impact on Nigeria were the pioneers of the genre, including acts like Sugar Hill Gang, Run-DMC, and Public Enemy. These artists inspired a generation of Nigerian rappers to embrace the genre and develop their own unique style.

In the early 2000s, a new wave of American hip hop artists, led by Jay-Z and Kanye West, began to have a major impact on Nigeria. These artists introduced a more lyrical and sophisticated style of hip hop that resonated with many Nigerian rappers. The influence of American hip hop has helped to make Nigerian hip hop one of the most popular genres of music in the country.

The rise of Nigerian hip hop artists

In recent years, Nigerian hip hop has seen a resurgence in popularity, with artists such as Burning Spear, Olamide, and Wizkid becoming some of the most popular musicians in the country. This renewed interest in the genre has been driven by a number of factors, including the increased availability of streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music, and the success of Nigerian hip hop artists at international awards ceremonies like the BET Awards and the MTV Africa Music Awards.

Nigerian hip hop first gained widespread popularity in the early 2000s with the release of albums like DaGrin’s C.E.O and M.I’s Illegal Music. These albums introduced a new generation of Nigerians to the genre, and established DaGrin and M.I as two of the biggest names in Nigerian music.

In the years since, Nigerian hip hop has continued to grow in popularity, with a new wave of artists such as Burna Boy, Wizkid, and Davido helping to lead the genre’s charge into the mainstream. This new generation of Nigerian hip hop artists has found success by blending traditional hip hop sounds with afrobeats, trap, and other popular musical genres from across Africa and beyond.

The rise of Nigerian hip hop has coincided with a growing demand for African music internationally. In recent years, African music has been featured prominently at major music festivals like Coachella and SXSW, and African artists have won a number of prestigious international awards including Grammy Awards and Brit Awards.

The increased visibility of Nigerian hip hop at home and abroad is helping to break down barriers between different genres of music, and is paving the way for a new era of cross-continental collaboration between African artists.

The Future of Nigerian Hip Hop

Nigeria’s hip hop music scene has been on the rise in recent years, with more and more artists making a name for themselves both at home and abroad. 2020 is shaping up to be a big year for the genre, with a number of new artists expected to break through and established artists set to release new music. Here’s a look at what to expect from Nigerian hip hop in 2020.

The continued growth of hip hop in Nigeria

In 2020, Nigerian hip hop music is continuing to grow in popularity, with more and more artists gaining recognition both at home and abroad. While there is still some way to go before the country can compete with the likes of the United States and Canada in terms of sheer numbers of artists and listeners, the scene is undeniably thriving.

One of the key reasons for this is the increasing availability of technology. In a country where mobile phones are commonplace but many people do not have access to a computer, music-making apps like FL Studio are giving aspiring rappers and producers the means to create their own tracks. Once these tracks are finished, they can be easily shared online via social media or streaming platforms such as Spotify.

Another factor that is helping to boost the popularity of hip hop in Nigeria is the increasing number of high-profile events and festivals dedicated to the genre. One of the most notable examples is The Headies, an annual awards show that celebrates achievements in Nigerian music. In 2020, the event will take place for the 13th time and is sure to bring even more attention to the country’s burgeoning hip hop scene.

With more opportunities to showcase their talents and reach new audiences, it seems likely that Nigeria’s hip hop artists will continue to go from strength to strength in 2020 and beyond.

The rise of new artists

In recent years, Nigeria’s hip hop music scene has seen the rise of a new generation of artists who are helping to shape the sound of the genre in the country. These artists are often inspired by the US ‘trap’ sound, but they also incorporate elements of Afrobeats and other local styles into their music.

Some of the most popular Nigerian hip hop artists at the moment include Olamide, Wizkid, and Davido. These artists have all achieved international success and have helped to put Nigeria on the map as a major player in the global hip hop scene.

Looking to the future, it is clear that Nigerian hip hop is only going to continue to grow in popularity both at home and abroad. With more and more artists beginning to make a name for themselves, 2020 is shaping up to be a big year for Nigerian hip hop.