The center for Nigerian music has historically been Lagos over anywhere else including Abuja, with the biggest artists across Nigeria based there. This extends to various talents seeking mainstream success in the Nigerian music landscape; they often had to relocate to Lagos to enhance their chances of gaining popularity. This dynamic still holds true today, with a greater disparity of artists in Nigerian music who are based in and around Lagos enjoying the largest chunk of popularity.
However, there has been a noticeable shift in recent times. Music scenes in areas other than Lagos are emerging with strong presences and gaining prominence in the industry. One notable example is the Abuja scene. The rap scene in Abuja is playing a significant role in shaping the current hip-hop landscape and leading the hip-hop reform we’ve witnessed in the past few years. To celebrate this movement and power shift, we will delve into some of the elite players in the hip-hop movement in Nigeria led by Abuja.
ODUMODUBLVCK
Championing the entire movement is ODUMODUBLVCK, who elevated from the underground Abuja scene to the mainstream with the Abuja industry at his back. His ascent to the top can be traced through tracks like “Agbalagba ” or “Picanto,” with each featuring other Abuja compatriots alongside (Eeskay and Ecko Miles respectively). Since gaining popularity, he has collaborated with the “Capital” scene on various projects, carrying along everyone, including Psycho YP, AntiWorld Gangsters, and just about everybody.
PSYCHOYP
To find the closest thing to American drill music from a locally sourced artist, PsychoYP is the best product available. He has the perfect blend of American drill, R&B, and rap, all delivered in his unique style. Hailing from the capital city, he has been one of the ambassadors of the sound, showcasing unmatched consistency and evolving sounds. Throughout his career, he has amassed numerous projects, collaborating with fellow artists in his scene like Azanti, and even branching out with crossovers such as his EP with Jeriq.
EESKAY
In the subgenre of rap known as “Afro-drill,” there are a handful of artists who can lay claim to pioneering it, and among them is Eeskay. He is also an ambassador of the Abuja hip-hop scene, being one of the earliest to achieve significant success from the Abuja rap scene. Additionally, his distinctive blend of indigenous language and domestic slangs within the drill sounds still serves as a template for what defines “Afro-drill.”
REEPLAY
Closing out the list of Abuja Hip-hop luminaries is Reeplay. He has emerged as one of the forefronts of the rap scene, edging out his peers. Standing for Raw Evolved Energy Playing Loud All Year, he has made waves through personal projects and features. In essence, he embodies the Abuja culture, often collaborating with several acts from his roots while showcasing his phenomenal rapping skills.
The major push from the Abuja scene lies in their continuous collaboration and their group mentality of prioritizing their roots and working towards putting it on the map at every chance. This is something the mainstream industry can learn from. These four rappers represent just a fraction of the vast army of hip-hop talents emerging from the capital city, Abuja.
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