Entertainment
Is Rap Really Dead?
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.
Nigerian afro-house singer Niniola has announced the death of her husband, Michael Ndika, in a series of emotional posts shared on her Instagram story in the early hours of Wednesday.
The Grammy-nominated artiste disclosed the heartbreaking news with short but emotional messages accompanied by photos of herself and her husband.
SEE ALSO: BREAKING: Nollywood Star Alex Ekubo Reportedly Dies at 40 After Health Battle
“God took him,” she wrote in one of the posts.
In another post, the singer added, “My husband died,” before sharing a third message that read, “God took him. 13 years. 13 f***ing years.”
Until his death, Michael Ndika was the Chief Executive Officer of NaijaReview, a multimedia platform known for promoting afro-house and contemporary African music.
Details surrounding the cause of his death were not immediately made public, as the singer has largely kept her private life away from social media and public attention over the years.
Niniola, 39, rose to fame after emerging as one of the top contestants on Project Fame West Africa in 2013. Since then, she has built a successful music career and gained international recognition for her afro-house sound.
Her hit single “Maradona,” released in 2017, earned global acclaim and attracted recognition from international stars including DJ Snake, Drake, Timbaland, and Beyoncé.
Fans, colleagues, and well-wishers have since taken to social media to sympathise with the singer over the tragic loss.
The Nigerian entertainment industry has been thrown into mourning following reports that popular Nollywood actor Alex Ekubo has died at the age of 40 after an alleged battle with kidney cancer.
The heartbreaking news surfaced on Tuesday after fellow Nollywood actor Godwin Nnadiekwe shared an emotional tribute on Instagram, expressing shock and sadness over Ekubo’s reported passing.
SEE ALSO: Nollywood Actress Doris Ogala Comes Hard On Gov Alex Otti Over Abia Money
“I’m struggling to find the words. This news has truly broken me,” Nnadiekwe wrote.
“Nollywood has lost a rare soul, and I’m lost for words because this wasn’t the plan, Alex Ekubo.
“To think you already prepared your will — it’s a heartbreak I can’t quite describe. Rest well, my friend.”
According to a Nollywood source, Ekubo was rushed to the hospital on Monday after reportedly battling kidney cancer.
The source claimed the actor died on Tuesday afternoon after spending hours on life support.
The development comes months after concerns emerged over the actor’s health due to his prolonged absence from social media.
A check on his pages showed that his last post was made on December 30, 2024, raising questions among fans about his wellbeing.
Since the news broke, social media has been flooded with tributes from fans, celebrities, and colleagues mourning the actor’s reported death and celebrating his contributions to the movie industry.
As of the time of filing this report, neither Ekubo’s family nor his management team had issued an official statement regarding the reports.
Ekubo was widely known for his roles in several Nollywood blockbuster films and remained one of the most recognised actors in the Nigerian entertainment industry.
The 12th edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards 2026 delivered glamour, emotional moments, and major surprises as Africa’s biggest stars gathered at the Eko Hotel and Suites on Saturday night for one of the continent’s most prestigious entertainment events.
The ceremony, which began at 7 p.m., celebrated excellence in African film, television, and digital storytelling, with several Nollywood productions dominating the night.
SEE ALSO: All The Winners From The 2025 AMVCA Awards [Full List]
One of the biggest highlights of the evening was the dominance of “My Father’s Shadow,” which emerged as the biggest winner after clinching Best Movie, Best Director, Best Writing – Movie, and Best Sound/Sound Design.
Reality TV also had a strong showing as “Nigerian Idol” Season 10 won the Best Unscripted Series category.
The awards ceremony was broadcast live across Africa Magic channels on DStv and GOtv, attracting millions of viewers across the continent.
Full List of Winners and Nominees at AMVCA 2026
Best Costume Design
Winner: “Colours of Fire” – Valerie Okeke
Nominees:
“The Serpent’s Gift” – Mary Chukuma
“The Real Housewives of Lagos (S3)” – Deola Art Alade, Darey Art Alade
“Something About The Briggs” – Yolanda Okereke
“To Kill a Monkey” – Ikechukwu Urum, John Joseph Angel
Best Makeup
Winner: “Warlord” – Hakeem Onilogbo
Nominees:
“Behind The Scenes” – Mojisola Imam
“Lisabi (A Legend Is Born)” – Adeola Thelma Bamgboye
“Gingerrr” – Diablaq Artistry
“Abanisete” – Adeola Thelma Bamgboye
“Suky” – Ruth Harcourt
“Labake Olododo” – Adeola Thelma Bamgboye
Best Sound/Sound Design
Winner: “My Father’s Shadow” – Pius Fatoke, CJ Mirra
Nominees:
“Gingerrr” – Tolu Obanro
“Ben Made It” – Vaughan Phillips
“The Party” – Tolu Obanro
“Sebata (The Beast)” – Vaughan Phillips
“The Herd” – Fisayo Adefolaju
Best Writing – TV Series
Winner: “MTV Shuga Mashariki” – Annette Shadeya, Natasha Likimani, Mkamzee Mwatela, Arnold Mwanjila, Makgano Mamabolo
Nominees:
“The Wives” – Donald Tombia, Timendu Aghahowa, Chiemeka Osuagwu
“Our Husband” – Xavier Ighorodje
“Addis Fikir” – Besufekade Mulu
“Baba OH” – Temilola Balogun
“The Party” – Stephen Okonkwo
“Gizat” – Yednekachew Ayne
Best Art Direction
Winner: “Colours of Fire” – Ajamolaya Bunmi
Nominees:
“The Serpent’s Gift” – Zainab Oladupupo
“The Herd” – Omolade Abisola
“Aljana” – Olatunji Afolayan, Gideon Stephen
“Suky” – Victor Akpan
“Inimba” – Thabiso Senne
Best Writing – Movie
Winner: “My Father’s Shadow” – Wale Davies
Nominees:
“The Herd” – Lani Aisida
“Blackout” – Ikenna Okpara
“Cards on the Table” – Shirleen Wangari
“Gingerrr” – Xavier Ighorodje
“Suky” – Isaac Ayodeji
“3 Cold Dishes” – Tomi Adesina
Best Cinematography
Winner: “To Kill A Monkey” – Kabelo Thathe
Nominees:
“My Father’s Shadow” – Jermaine Edwards
“The Herd” – Emmanuel Igbekele
“Finding Nina” – Daanong Gyang
“The Serpent’s Gift” – Emmanuel Igbekele
“Stitches” – KC Obiajulu
“Gingerrr” – Emmanuel Igbekele
Best Digital Content Creator
Winner: “Leave To Live” – Emmanuel Kanaga and Sophia Chisom
Nominees:
“Luxury Koko” – Maryam Apaokagi-Greene (Taaoma)
“The Marriage List” – Destiny Ogie Osarewinda
“The Rate Race” – Benedict Ehimare Oriaifo
“August Meeting Election” – Steve Chuks
“Did I Just Hear Muah” – Akwaman
Best Indigenous Language Film (West Africa)
Winner: “Lisabi (A Legend is Born)” – Lateef Adedimeji
Nominees:
“The Serpent’s Gift” – Winifred Mena-Ajakpovi
“Labake Olododo” – Iyabo Ojo and team
“Aljana” – Grace Yachat Yakubu
“Olorisha” – Abiola Adeshina
Best Indigenous M-Net Original
Winner: “Inimba” – Siphosethu Tshapu, Thandi Ramathesele and Yolanda Ndhlovu
Nominees:
“Kukoyi” – David Akande
“Undugu” – Hatibu Madudu
“Out N’ About (Harar)” – Bruk Yibrah
“Kamapala Creme” – Joel Ndugwa
“The Chocolate Empire” – Grace Kahaki and Phillippe Bresson
“Mgbuka” – Eze Izu
Best Unscripted Series
Winner: “Nigerian Idol (S10)” – Sulaiman Kassim and Anneke De Ridder
Nominees:
“The Real Housewives of Lagos (S3)” – Deola Art Alade, Darey Art Alade
“Ultimate Girls Trip: Africa” – Graeme Swanepoel
“Off Air” – Gbemi and Toolz
“Out N’ About” – Bruk Yibrah
Best Scripted M-Net Original
Winner: “The Low Priest” – Femi D. Ogunsanwo
Nominees:
“Adam to Eve” – Lizz Njagah and Alexandros Konstantaras
“Mother of the Brides” – Rogba Arimoro and Bio Arimoro
“The Yard” – James Kalu Omokwe
“Bobo” – Maurice Muendo
Best Supporting Actress
Winner: Linda Ejiofor – “The Herd”
Nominees:
Olamide Kidbaby – “Oversabi Aunty”
Bisola Aiyeola – “Gingerrr”
Sola Sobowale – “The Covenant Series”
Nadia Dutch – “Aljana”
Amal Umar – “The Herd”
Juliebrenda Nyambura – “MTV Shuga Mashariki”
Funke Akindele – “Behind the Scenes”
Best Supporting Actor
Winner: Bucci Franklin – “To Kill a Monkey”
Nominees:
Simileoluwa Hassan – “The Yard”
Lateef Adedimeji – “Gingerrr”
Gabriel Afolayan – “Colours of Fire”
Femi Adebayo – “King of Thieves 2”
Lateef Adedimeji – “Red Circle”
Femi Branch – “Owambe Thieves”
Uzor Arukwe – “Behind the Scenes”
Best Lead Actress
Winner: Linda Ejiofor – “The Serpent’s Gift”
Nominees:
Bimbo Akintola – “To Kill A Monkey”
Ifeoma Fafunwa – “The Lost Days”
Ariyike Owolagba – “Something About The Briggs”
Sola Sobowale – “Her Excellency”
Scarlet Gomez – “Behind the Scenes”
Genoveva Umeh – “The Herd”
Gloria Anozie-Young – “Mother of the Brides”
Best Lead Actor
Winner: Uzor Arukwe – “Colours of Fire”
Nominees:
Mike Ezuruonye – “Oversabi Aunty”
Lateef Adedimeji – “Lisabi: A Legend Is Born”
William Benson – “To Kill A Monkey”
Kanayo O. Kanayo – “Grandpa Must Obey”
Khumbuza Meyiwa – “Bet I Love You”
Wale Ojo – “3 Cold Dishes”
Femi Branch – “Red Circle”
Trailblazer Award
Winner: Uche Montana
Lifetime Achievement Award
Winners: Sola Sobowale, Kanayo O. Kanayo
Best Indigenous Language Film (Central Africa)
Winner: “Mabanda” – Kang Quintus
Nominees:
“Safou (A Gift From Nature)” – Nyasha Makamba
“Golden Spoon” – Egbe Francis Ettabrown
Best Indigenous Language Film (North Africa)
Winner: “Artal Alhanin: Our Memories” – Mohamed Awad and Mohamed Abdulraham Eldouma
Nominees:
“The Omnipresent” – Youssef Ben Khalifa
“The Delivery” – Abdalla Ezyan
“The Hidden Voice” – Houssem Eddine Abdelwahed
“This Is Portsaid” – Abdalla Ezyan
Best Indigenous Language Film (East Africa)
Winner: “Addis Fikir” – Leul Shoaferaw
Nominees:
“Inside Job” – Kamau Wandug’u, Joe Mahinda and Barbara Njeri Maina
“Sayari” – Omar Hamza and June Wairegi
“My Son” – Isarito Mwakalindile
“Kimote” – Hassan Mageye
Best Indigenous Language Film (South Africa)
Winner: “Tlhaho Ya Mosadi” – Naledi Galane, Promise Ramoroka, Ernest Ramoroka and Modipadi Mokgohioa
Nominees:
“Bet I Love You” – Joseph Duke and Keamogetse Modise
“Sebata (The Beast)” – African Entertainers
“Ben Made It” – Thabang Mathuumetse and Thapelo Dikhutso
“Terra of Queens and Kuma 2” – Neo Leonardo Mokoena
Best Scripted Series
Winner: “Inimba” – Siphosethu Tshapu, Thandi Ramathesele and Yolanda Ndhlovu
Nominees:
“To Kill a Monkey” – Kemi Adetiba
“The Yard” – James Kalu Omokwe
“The Chocolate Empire” – Grace Kahaki and Philippe Bresson
“Kash Money” – Grace Kahaki and Phillipe Benson
Best Director
Winner: “My Father’s Shadow” – Akinola Davies Jr
Nominees:
“Cordelia” – Tunde Kelani
“Osamede” – James Kalu Omokwe
“The Herd” – Daniel Etim Effiong
“Gingerrr” – Yemi Filmboy Morafa
“3 Cold Dishes” – Asurf Amuwa Oluseyi
Best Movie
Winner: “My Father’s Shadow” – Funmbi Ogunbanwo and Rachel Dargavel
Nominees:
“Gingerrr” – Ope Ajayi, Bisola Aiyeola, Bukunmi Adeaga-Ilori, Wumi Toriola, Bolaji Ogunmola and Onyeka Nnama
“The Herd” – Daniel Etim Effiong, Efe Ejukoriem, Ulogo Chukwudi, Kene Okwuosa, Craig Shurn and Ladun Awobokun
“3 Cold Dishes” – Martial Dansou, Asurf Amuwa Oluseyi and Ly Oumar
“The Serpent’s Gift” – Winifred Mena-Ajakpovi
“Behind the Scenes” – Funke Akindele and Wendy Uwadie Imaseun
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