Best 5 Nigerian Rap Verses of the year

In 2015, one of the hardest conversations to have in Hip-hop was the rise of indigenous rap music being projected by the ‘Local Rappers’ trio of Olamide, Phyno and Reminisce. In that song, they took shots at lyricism as an art and upheld the commercial gains of street rap.

But street rap doesn’t have to be bland, street can be dope. Hip-hop, can be made relatable and dope. Lyricism might have slowed down in the singles, but as an art form it is alive.

From Ice Prince (yes, Ice Prince) to Boogey, we have had a year blessed with rappers spitting art from the heart, the soul and the dome. We have had rap songs that read like a verse from a holy book of poetry and knowledge, and lines that only heaven could have dropped.

Here they are.

M.I Abaga – We all for down (Verse 1)

A legend of Nigeria’s Hip-hop, M.I Abaga is as poetic, knowledgeable and skilled as they come. A king of rap verses, and lyricism, it is easy to forget that he dropped “Illegal Music 3” earlier in the year to round off what has been an incredible series of mixtapes.

Through his savior-complex and braggadocio, one song stands out as the ultimate rap gem on the project, and it is “All For Down”.

An introspective track, the first verse which captured the inevitability of success’s cycle should be printed, framed and hung on walls as a poignant but real prophecy of life. We grind, we rise, we retire. That’s how the world is conditioned, and this is what M.I had to say:

Reminisce – Asalamalekun (Verse 1)

One of the ‘Local Rappers’ creators, Reminisce and his best rap voice is the ultimate promethean artiste who creates from a deep place of knowledge, but ultimately finds new ways to let it flow out as simple and entertaining, with a delivery that is both authoritative and hard-biting. ‘Asalamalekun’ has to be the best Hip-hop single of the year, but he carried on through with deep lyricism, written in both Yoruba and English, and designed to tension the young rappers and ‘haters’ who understand only the superficial about the culture.

He attacks thus:

Boogey – Show you something (Verse 1)

Boogey hardly ever gets the mainstream recognition that he deserves, but he keeps breathing in air, and breathing out genius for the world to consume. In 2016, he has been nominated for the Headies ‘Best Rap Single’, a political victory for the underground movement who are regarded as the custodians of Nigeria’s real rap culture.  He comes through on ‘Show you something’, on the first verse, where he is laden with nostalgia about his upbringing, something that we can all relate.

A-Q – Political Science (Verse 2)

A-Q won this year with the rebranding of his music and the release of “Rose,” album, where he balanced the pursuit of artistry with the demands of the industry. But he kept things real in the lyrics department, and in ‘Political Science, all his birds came home to roost. A song about the industry and its inherent politics, A-Q went in, delivering quotable lines on the media, the hype and the game.

But it is the third verse that sticks tighter than the rest. And he did all for the culture:

Ice Prince – 2AM in Chevron

Ice Prince won this year with his best ‘rap’ album. The rapper brought out the bars in “Jos To The World,” and created some of his highest-quality rap songs. But the best of them all is ‘2AM in Chevron’, a song inspired by the location of his personal house which he recently just completed before he clocked 30.

An introspective record. The song has Ice Prince plumbing the depths of his soul to bring forth the most honest and true raps that he has ever released. From doubts about his skill, affirmations and beliefs he inspires, reveals, motivates and entertains.

Paybac – Tales By Moonlight (Verse 2)

One of the most underragted projects of the year, “Face Off” by Boogey and Paybac (The Lost & Found) is Nigeria’s best shot at a lyrical project. With harddlines, party vibes, poignant compositions, and general wordplay, the duo have an album that is both refreshing and rich to listen. So, it is with great difficulty that we go the way of Paybac in this song about life.

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