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Is Rap Really Dead?

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By Funmilayo Olusanya

 

When Ayodeji Balogun, popularly known as Wizkid, enthusiastically declared in an interview with 10 Magazine based in Australia that rap is dead and then claimed he meant that the genre is dead in Nigeria because it has been in a steady decline and those who participate in it are slowly fading away, it left one question unanswered, is rap really dead?

 

In this report, Funmilayo Olusanya takes a deep dive into the history of both Afrobeat and rap music in Nigeria, x-raying which one is dead or alive.

 

Modern Music in today’s world is a major form of entertainment. While classical, country, Rhythm & Blues (R&B), hip-hop, rap, and other modern genres of music are among the most popular worldwide, important subgenres of African music include Afrobeat, Highlife, Hiplife, Juju, and so on.

 

The most well-known genres in Nigeria and on a global stage, recognized to be from Nigeria or majorly from Nigeria are Indigenous genres like Apala, Ogene, Fuji, Jùju, and Afrobeat, among others.

 

In recent times there has been a rise in comparison between Afrobeat and rap music, and debates as to those keeping it real and those selling out, old versus new school, which one is dead or alive, and who is superior and inferior between Afrobeat artists and rap artists.

 

In this article, I will be giving utmost attention to Afrobeat and rap music in Nigeria. Can we say that Afrobeat is doing much better than rap in Nigeria? Is rap dead? Which of the two is gaining prominence in Nigeria today? Of course, all these questions will be answered.

 

Nigerian Rap, Afrobeat

 

Afrobeat and rap music are two distinct genres that have gained widespread popularity over the years. While both styles have their roots in African and African-American culture, they have evolved in different ways and have been influenced by various musical and cultural influences.

 

Afrobeat originated in Nigeria in the 1970s and was created by the legendary musician Fela Kuti. It is a fusion of traditional West African music, jazz, and funk, and is characterized by its heavy use of percussion, complex polyrhythms, and politically charged lyrics.

 

Afrobeat has had a significant influence on other genres of music, including hip-hop and dancehall, and has become popular around the world, particularly in Africa and Europe.

 

Rap, on the other hand, is a genre of music that originated in the United States in the 1970s. It is characterized by its use of spoken or shouted lyrics over a beat and is often associated with urban culture and the hip-hop movement.

 

Rap music has evolved significantly over the years, and has been influenced by a wide variety of styles, including funk, jazz, soul, and rock.

 

Today, rap music is one of the most popular genres in the world, with a huge following in the United States and around the globe.

 

One of the most notable similarities between Afrobeat and rap music is their use of politically charged lyrics. Both genres have been used as a way for artists to speak out about social and political issues, and to promote positive change.

 

Fela Kuti, for example, used his music to speak out against corruption and injustice in Nigeria, and his music became an important tool for political activism in Africa.

 

Similarly, many rap artists have used their music to address issues such as racism, police brutality, and poverty, and have used their platform to inspire social change.

 

Afrobeat and rap music have both had a major impact on popular culture and have contributed significantly to the evolution of modern music in Nigeria.

 

Both genres have been used as a platform for artists to express their political views and to address social and cultural issues.

 

Afrobeat and rap have also been instrumental in shaping the way people think about and interact with music, and have influenced the development of other genres of music.

 

In the 1980s and 1990s, Nigerian rap music gained popularity, with artists like Tony Allen, Plantashun Boiz, and Majek Fashek leading the way. These artists brought a more political and socially conscious message to their music, using it as a platform to address issues like corruption, poverty, and social injustice.

 

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, a new generation of Nigerian rappers and Afrobeat artists emerged, including the likes of M.I., WizKid, Olamide, and Burna Boy. These artists brought a more modern and contemporary sound to their genre, incorporating elements of hip-hop and electronic music into their music.

 

Despite their similarities, Afrobeat and rap music are also distinct in many ways.

 

Afrobeat, for example, is more heavily influenced by traditional West African music and incorporates a wide variety of instruments, including horns, percussion, and vocals.

 

Rap music, on the other hand, is primarily centered around spoken or shouted lyrics, and is often accompanied by a DJ or producer who creates the beat. Rap music also tends to be more focused on individual performance and lyrical prowess, while Afrobeat is more collaborative and emphasizes group performance.

 

There are many Afrobeat and rap singers in Nigeria who have gained prominence and made significant contributions to the music industry.

 

WizKid is an Afrobeat singer who has gained international recognition for his catchy and energetic music. He has released several successful albums and singles and has won numerous awards for his work.

 

Davido is another prominent Afrobeat singer in Nigeria. He is known for his energetic stage presence and catchy songs and has gained a large following both in Nigeria and internationally.

 

Olamide is a rapper who is known for his hard-hitting lyrics and energetic delivery. He has released several successful albums and singles and is widely considered one of the most influential rappers in Nigeria.

 

Phyno is another notable rapper in Nigeria. He is known for his unique style, combining traditional Igbo music with modern hip-hop elements.

 

Falz is a rapper and actor who is known for his socially conscious lyrics and humorous style. He has released several successful albums and singles and has won numerous awards for his work.

 

Naira Marley is a rapper who has gained a large following for his controversial lyrics and energetic performances. He has released several successful singles and albums and is known for his unique blend of Afrobeat and rap.

 

The list goes on and on, there are many artists who are successfully doing either Afrobeat or rap music.

 

WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD FOR RAP?

 

As I wrote earlier, rap is a vibrant and popular genre that continues to evolve and influence other forms of music. Rap music has a long history and has had a significant impact on popular culture around the world.

 

Many famous and successful rap artists continue to make music and tour, and new artists are constantly emerging on the scene.

 

Rap music has a devoted and passionate fan base, and it continues to be a popular and influential genre in the music industry.

An example of this is Nicholas Ihua-Maduenyi, popularly known as PsychoYP, a Nigerian alternative hip-hop rapper, singer, and songwriter who is a member of the music collective Apex Village. He broke into the music scene with a critically acclaimed mixtape YPSZN, which earned him a nomination at the SAMAs, and Headies for his second mixtape studio album YPSZN2. He has over 2 million streams on audio Mack alone. Dubbed the “The Fresh Prince of Nigerian Rap”, he is regarded as one of Nigeria’s rap music pioneers in the Alté music scene.

 

Shokoya Oluwasegunfunmi is another notable young, up-and-coming rap artist, popularly known as Davolee, who is a Nigerian rapper, singer, and songwriter. Since his debut in the Nigerian music scene, he has become a mainstay. His latest song “Earning wish” has over 23 million streams.

 

Although at the moment, Nigerian rap is not as popular or successful on the global stage as its Afrobeat counterpart, the genre is far from dead and is instead receiving new life from new, talented young artists who will keep the torch burning in the Nigerian music space for a long time to come.

Entertainment

Davido Is Our Son, Our Pride – Gov Adeleke

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Shock Them Like High Tension,’ Davido Celebrates Adeleke’s Victory

 

Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has congratulated his nephew and global music icon, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido on the occasion of his birthday, describing him as a superstar Osun State is proud of.

This was revealed in a statement by his Spokesperson Olawale Rasheed, where he cited Gov Aeleke as pointing to Davido’s consistency, energy and passion yielding the result he has recorded not only in his music career but also in his life as a person.

Gov Adeleke, stated Rasheed, prayed for progress, more success and achievement for Davido, while commending his continuous outreach to the orphanages and less privileged, which he described as ‘a noble act every blessed hand in Nigeria must emulate’.

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He said, ” I want to rejoice with my nephew, David Adeleke, Davido, on the occasion of his 32nd birthday, I am very happy we are all alive to witness it.

“Davido is a global super star that Osun State is very proud of. The consistency, energy and passion he has inserted into building his music career is evident in the result he has recorded not only in his career but also in his life as a person.

“I pray for him for progress, more success and achievement in long life, prosperity, sound health and mind.

“I equally want to commend his continuous outreach to the orphanages and less privileged. I must say that this is a noble act every blessed hand in Nigeria must emulate.

“Once again, Happy Birthday to Davido”.

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Entertainment

Wizkid Drops Sixth Studio Album ‘Morayo’

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Afrobeats sensation Wizkid has unveiled his highly anticipated sixth studio album, Morayo, released today (Nov. 22) via Starboy Entertainment and RCA Records.

The album, whose title translates to “I see joy” in Yoruba, is an emotional tribute to his late mother, Juliana Morayo Balogun, who passed away in August 2023.

“Best album I ever made!! Now listen! It’s only up from here!” the Grammy-winning artist tweeted in July, building anticipation for the 16-track project.

Morayo features an impressive lineup of collaborations, including Brent Faiyaz on “Piece of My Heart,” Asake on “Bad Girl,” Tiakola on “Après Minuit,” Jazmine Sullivan on “Bad For You,” and Anaïs on “Slow.” The album also includes previously released singles like “Piece of My Heart,” which reached No. 4 on the U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart and No. 7 on World Digital Song Sales, and “Kese (Dance).”

Notably, Wizkid and Asake’s collaboration on “MMS” has earned a Grammy nomination for Best African Music Performance in 2025, cementing their impact on the global music stage.

READ MORE: Wizkid Unveils Morayo Album Tracklist Featuring Asake

The tracklist for Morayo includes:

1. Troubled Mind

2. Karamo

3. Kese (Dance)

4. Bad Girl (feat. Asake)

5. Time

6. Piece of My Heart (feat. Brent Faiyaz)

7. Break Me Down

8. Bend

9. A Million Blessing

10. Après Minuit (feat. Tiakola)

11. Bad For You (feat. Jazmine Sullivan)

12. Soji

13. Don’t Care

14. Slow (feat. Anaïs)

15. Lose

16. Pray

This marks Wizkid’s first album in three years, following More Love, Less Ego, which reached No. 2 on the World Albums chart and No. 59 on the Billboard 200. His previous projects, including the Grammy-nominated Made in Lagos (Deluxe), have solidified his place as a global music icon.

Fans can stream Morayo now and experience the evolution of Wizkid’s sound, deeply rooted in love, loss, and celebration.

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Olajumoke Onibread Accuses Ex-Husband Of Assault, Career Sabotage

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Model Olajumoke Orisaguna, popularly known as Olajumoke Onibread, has opened up about her traumatic experiences in her marriage, accusing her ex-husband, Sunday Orisaguna, of domestic violence and ruining her career.

In an interview with City FM, Olajumoke shared harrowing details of her past, highlighting the abuse she endured during her time in her ex-husband’s family home in Ire, Osun State.

“We stayed in my husband’s family house at Ire in Osun State, and there is no way you stay in such a place that you would not encounter problems,” she recounted.

Olajumoke revealed that her mother-in-law’s hostility exacerbated the situation, as her ex-husband often sided with his mother without hearing her perspective.

“He would not hear my own side of the story before beating me. Whenever I had a misunderstanding with his mother, he would beat me to the extent that my face and body would be swollen. Sometimes he would even use a belt,” she said.

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She further explained how she kept the abuse hidden to avoid upsetting her mother, who also lived nearby. Despite the hardships, Olajumoke continued to support the family financially, as her husband was unemployed.

Reflecting on a pivotal moment in January 2016, Olajumoke described the day she decided to leave:
“We were frying akara for his dad’s remembrance when I had an issue with his elder sister. As usual, he beat me up, and I decided that I was going to leave, move to Lagos, and start working at the bakery because I had been there before.”

Three days later, she relocated to Lagos with her two children. According to Olajumoke, the separation led to further challenges as her ex-husband began tarnishing her reputation, contributing to her career’s decline.

“Everything started going down the drain after separation because he started spoiling my name. Since then, things started going down,” she lamented.

Olajumoke, who rose to fame in 2016 after a chance encounter during a photoshoot with British rapper Tinie Tempah and photographer TY Bello, is now using her platform to shed light on the struggles she endured.

The model’s story has reignited conversations about domestic abuse and the societal pressures faced by women in similar situations.

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