The rise of the Femcees!

Over the last year or so female rappers also known as femcees have staked their claim for recognition in a male dominated genre. many have come out spitting some of the hottest bars you would ever hear.

Before the remedies revolution, Weird MC had set the pace with her "Allen Avenue" single and Album. she was raw and energetic but not too lyrical then, not too long after that she absconded to the UK and not much was heard from her in terms of joints until she returned with "Ijo ya". After that the game became male dominated for a long time. the likes of the SWATROOT, Ruggedman, Mode nine, Trybesmen,Terry da Rapman, Overdose,Sauce kid too over the game and killed the femcees shine. El dee gave us a break in 2001 with his Da Trybe crew. Da Trybe birthed two Femcees with mad mic skills: Sasha and Blaise. Blaise spat with so much ferocity on "Oya"the competition burnt to nothin! she stood out among the guys on that track but sasha hugged the headlnes after that, with her "Emi le gon" single. This kick started the Femcee revolution although her first album dint drop til two years later. the two femecees from Da Trybe still remain very relevant in the game today. After Sasha and Blasie female rappers have joined the femmecee revolution the like of kemistry, bouqui, kel, Zee, Eva, Muna have seized the moment. Kel and Bouqui have released ground breaking albums. I feel Kel's album didn't get the rating it deserved. The release of i no send you Male and female version by the suspect is a testament to the growth of Femcees in Naija. Popular opinion has it that the Femcees version killed the male version. All the ladies were on point like the were standing on a full stop. it also shows that the babes are ready to take over like genetic engineers. Blaise has sparkled on sever guest appearances and her handful of singles notably braggin rights with freestyle, Lasan, I no send u. Zee killed the game with her current single Mic Check, Eva's I don did it is Subliminal. Muna has been on top on her cameo appearances especially Lagos party remix. we also have under ground femcees like Mischief spitting real tight. After analysis based on lyrical content and delivery i present my fav  Femcees!

Blaise

Blaise remains the hottest rapper in Nigeria male of female!her punchline are delicious are her delivery is sharp and awesome. not many mcs can hold a candle to her.Her recent appearance in the BET cipher has done nothing more than re-establish her as the best of the best. She is currently working and re-working on her highly anticipated album… tightening up loose ends while balancing tons and tons of feature requests and compeering gigs.

Zee

Zee is a crazy lyricist.Since coming on the radar in 2010, Zee has been pretty busy making a name for herself. She has worked with  a number of notable acts and appeared on some massive hits such as Tha Suspect’s Tuaile which also features Shank, Ill bliss and Young milz. Thanks to the success of that single, Tha Suspect brought her back for I No Send You (Remix) which also turned out to be a success and favorite. I believe with time she will match Blaise delivery for delivery. The year 2011 has seen her rise in popularity with artistes queuing to have her spit some wity bars on their track.
she has advanced in delivery and concept since her 2007 single 'come get with me' and is now one of the top rated femcess in Naija. The cross River femcee has a hot single mic check brimming with puchlines as she wastes (waists) (w)rappers like iro. As a Result of her rising profile she was selected for the BET Africa Cypher word has it that she was only out rhymed by the God -lyricist him self Mode nine (hope to see them collabo some day!). 2012 is the year she explodes on the Naija HIP hop scene. Watch out cos Zee is off the chain like a missing locket!
Muna

The ex beauty queen first appeared on Terry tha rapman’s track PH girl, were she dropped an ok verse. . She then  appeared on a collaboration with Banky W on his Lagos Party remix. On Dipp's good girl remix she brought the fire in her with a fiery verse that got the industry noticing her. she has an energetic style that is at the same time mild. Her lyrics can be very raw and suggestive, a reminder of the lil Kim of back in the days but she undoubtedly a tight lyricist.
Eva

Eva released her first ever studio recording with the help of Tha Suspect early 2009 and titled it 'I dey Play'. The song which was done over the popular 'a millie' instrumental by Lil Wayne went on to become a fan favorite and received aiplay on radios, gaining for Eva a maximum level of recognition. Eva Alordiah a Delta state beauty has a teaming fan base that includes yours sincerly. She has worked on several collabos including the award winning  remix of 'Owo ati Swagger' alongside Gino, Terry tha Rapman and the Late Dagrin. Her style is sassy,raw and direct. on her recently released "GIGO EP" she flirted with several styles but didn't come out as sharply as expected. I felt or her immense talent she could have done beter on the project. she didn't put her great lyrical ability on the front burner. The track "relentless" is an example of her lyrical prowess.
Kel

kelechi Ohia is one Femcee that took the industry with so much ferocity and energy. her bars on Illbliss's u go wound were mad. He follow up single "WA Wa alright' was amazing. She spat many ill bars on her debut album "The Investment" which won her critical claim. Alyhough i feel the album didnt get the credits its deserved. I heard her verse for the Tha Suspect's "I no send u" it was crazy and i onder why it didnt make the final cut.

how to blow.

As an artiste manager, i ve worked with a whole variety of artistes. The paramount question on the mind and liops of any undergroun or yet to blow artiste is, what do i do to hit the limelight? when i was promoting Timaya, he had those doubts too, but i told him believe in your self and he did that. today he is one of Nigeria's most renowned artiste. asides self belief, what other ingredients do artistes neeed to breeak into a saturated Nigerian market. This is aguide to upcoming artistes.
the first step is to detach your self from "market trends". Many naija guyz feel that jumping on the band wagon is a sure key to success. currently, mosy artistes i have spoken to want to do a Terry G. Hear them: "if a just do one track with terrg, i don blow be that!" they fail to realize that T>G has done over 100 tracks in the lasy year, but only about 10 are popular hits. every artiste or musician should know his or her forte and work on his/her strong points. you can work with any producer that is good, as long as u have a good song and concept. it does not have to be terrry g or id cabassa.
Artiste must avoid the local champion mentality, some of us are so tided to our local environment we forget there is a world out there! travel far and wide to promote your song(s). you do not give your CDs to radio stations only, give them to joints, saloons,shops and streeet djs.

Naija's top 10 all tyme rap songs

hello folks, here is a throw down of what i think are the greatest naija rap hits. i know there are many underground hits out there, but this is based on what i ve heard.

• Elbow room - Mode nine

This is undoubutably the greatest rap song from Nigeria. This song brought modey back to the lime light. A certain Callen took the chorus that still baffles people till today. Mode nine was simply phenominal on this joint, the lead single from the best rap album in naija so far : Malcom ix. Every line on this track is a punchline!

• Youngman -Trybesmen and Dare

Without frestyle the duo of Eldee and KB rip this track lyrically. The lyrics of the song are brilliant and still relevant today.'arts and sports are universal. originated only for dispersal".

• Peace or war - Ruggedman

This is ruggedy at his best, you could feel the venom in his voice. Smarting from the negative press he was receiving for Ehen, hhe drops peace or war to silence the critics and get the crown fro Eedris. Love him or hate him it's peace or war.

• Numero uno - Trybesmen

"WE cant be no 10". This is one of the best trybesmen joint. the lyrics are awesome and the flow is round the bend.

• Bug-a-long. - OD

Od sets this joint ablaze with his ill flow, was not a main stream hit, but it held a lot of water underground.

• Mode nineQUEST FREESTYLE -

This is raw delivery, full of witty punchlines and energy. mode nine rips this track with 3 32 bar verses. he is coming tru clear road,listen to his punchlines.

• Oya - Da trybe

A rap ballad from Eldee and his henchmen. This joint kick started the careers of Sasha.blaise,sid and co.

• Dont hate - OD

The anger level on this song is so great i thing Od has to apologize! am not hating cos he is way too advanced.

• IT,S ABOUT TO GEY UGLY! - Mode nine

Another classic from Mode nine's debut album.

• Bragging rights. -Freestyle and Blaise

Free style delivers a fiery verse aided by blaise. He takes swipes at Eldee on this track.

OVERDOSE

Full name: David Adoga

Other names: James Flames, Overdose (O-D), lyrical soldier, the verbal weapon holder

Weight: 84kgHow tall: 5ft 8inch

Most prized possessions: Hip-Hop gear/tapes, Rhyme-sheets

Favorite phrases: What!

Birth date: 14th of January 1980

Favorite colorz: Black, blue

Words: Do what you gotta do but remember, realness is the code. Always keep it tight and you’ll never go wrong. Word is bond!

Childhood ambition: Wanted to be James Bond

Place of birth: Kaduna/Nigeria

Favorite moments: when chilling

Favorite sports: soccer and basketball

Favorite food: Spaghetti and sauce plus chicken

Favorite artist; there are a whole lot of’em

Homiez 4 life: Grandson (Dlama Ezekiel), Shola Samuel (Veron), Itopa Yakubu, Alfred Atungu (six foot+), Hassanna Baba Ahmed, Sawula (The blast), Ayuba Tete (A.T)

Hobbies: doing whatever soothes me

Early influences: Notorious B.I.G, L.L Cool Jay, Tha Wutang Clan, Def Squad, Nas, Bahamadia.

What you are checking for now: Chino XL, Canibus, Juice, Planet Asia, Supernatural, Sticky Fingaz, Masta Ace, Talib Kweli, Punch Line and Words Worth, Last Emperor, Pharoahe Monch, Ras Kass, Glenn Lewis, Musiq Soul Child, JahiemHottest producers: DJ Hi Tech, Tha Diggie Doctor Dre, Preemo, Tone and Poke…

Been doing this thing (RAP) for a whole while. Wrote me ma first rhyme in December 1998. Started going for radio rap shows at K.D in January 1999, in that same year hooked up with Ill Jamil & Ruff and formed a group called the bomb squad, recorded a Demo in January 2000. First Joint was titled: The Squad Anthem and the second joint was called bounce to this, then I broke out.
Got Solo Dee’s (CEO PBT) number from Hilari Bakura (Flava) who was El Dee’s friend. Called and was aksed to bring my Demo, that was in 2001, and then tha word was on the street that Terry Tha Rapman got signed to PBT too. So I called him to find out what it was like, he told me it was all good. Brought ma tape for Solo 2 listen 2 then he offered me an opportunity 2 record stuff for an album.
Got introduced 2 real hip-hop in 1997, then I used to hang out at ma man Grandson’s joint, he and his big brother had a lot ‘a rap tapes and videos that we were always sampling.
Other things that you freak: Poem writing

OD has since left Paybacktyme, he pearched with Ostracon for a while and then disappeared for a while. While he was on a musical haitus, he worked as a presenter on rythm 94.7 abuja. He came back and made on Black solo's friday nite. He then dropped his debut album "Dont hate", which is no doubt a well worked rap attack album. He remains in the fore front of rap purity alongside mode nine.. He plans to release his sophomore set on X3 his new label.

Songs i am feeling.

Me lifestle (X-crew)

Here is a run down of 10 songs am feelng the most right now. apart from the no one song others are in no particular order.

No 1 - not the girl - Dare.

This song is simply killing me the rythm and the lyrics take me out of this world. i love the song so much that when i was asked to give a chorus in the church i was like :"you re not the girl i used to know", believe me!

No 2 - Halo -Beyonce.

The more i hate Beyoynce the more she trills me.Halo is a brilliant song that many people can relate to.

No 3- Blaze - MI

That short black boy called Jude A.K.A. Mr incredible abi na mic inovator just blazes this track with his cohorts. silky and smoothe. i love that part where he is like "u know me now usually i don't ...".

No 4 -Yankuluma - Timaya

Mama yankuluma (5 times). My boy just dey kill party with this track. I cant get that chorus out of my short term memory.

No 5 - shayo - Bigiano

THis song jusy bounces along carrying everybody along

No ^ - Hero - NAS.

The greatest rapper of all time shows us why he is the only hero of the rap game left. Brilliant delivery,classic Nas

No 7 - Magic spell - Silver Saddih

"magic spell on me, like voodoo" thats what this song does to me. I am suprised he didnt get a nomination for the just concluded Hiphop worl awards.you need to hear this song.

No 8 - Spasmodic- Terry d Rapman and Mode nine

Joe spasm and Mode deliver a witty and punchlines filled track, one of the best rap collabos from this part of the world. "it's that time of the month and am flowing all day,so i gat my pad always'". get it?

No 9 - Fiya burn- Mode nine

Mode delivers unbelieveably well in Ragga tongue. Mallam spicey murders the track.Tight.

No 10 - Ten Ten - Mo hits all stars

The mo hits crew are spot on even without their henchman D'Banj. i Love the playful nature of the song.

Well thats it folks my top ten songs, very difficul to pick. Others thst deserve mention are :

• Banging - Ruggedman


• Gbosibanga - Eldee


• Death Blow - Mode nine



• 

HIPHOPWORLD AWADS 2009

The Hip Hop World Awards, one of Nigeria's most recognized music awards held yesterday Saturday, May 16 at the International Conference Centre, Abuja. It delivered all that was promised,the stage design, lighting and other effects were faboulous. Here is a run down of how it went down.

Best R&B / Best Pop Album - Gongo aso by 9ice
Best Street Hip Hop - 'O4kasibe' by DJ Zeez
Best Rap Album - ' Talk About It' by MI
Best Rap Single - 'Kini Big Deal' by Naeto C
Best Lyricist on the roll - Modenine for 'Nine

Best Reggae and Dancehall Album - 'The Gift and the Grace' by Timaya
Best Female Vocal performance - Omawunmi
Best Male Vocal performance - Banky W for 'Don't Break My Heart'
Best Hip Hop World Revelation - MI
Next Rated Act - Omawumi
Best Collaboration - J Martins, Timaya and P-Square for Good or Bad
Best Music Video - P-Square's 'Roll It'by Jude Okoye
Best Recording of the Year - 'For Mitchell' by Etcetetra
Producer of the year - ID Cabasa (Gongo Aso)
Album of the Year - Gongo aso by 9ice
Song of the Year - Gongo aso.

9ice was the biggest winner on the nite with 3 headies! I am really happy for omawumi, she has so much talent and boldness. i feel mode nine deseved to win the rap album of the year, may be they didnt want to fuel the "beef" with ruggedy. I dont know how and why Naeto c's Kini big deal got best rap single.

What is entertainment?

it is quite frustrating these days, that one can't get ant quality entertainment from anywhere. Most entertainers in all fields, have succumed to the commercial mentality pervaading the world these days. in the music world, especially in Naija you can't find any genre of music other than popo or dance hall. I remember that styl plus used to do some brilliant RnB in the past but now i cant understand what they are doing. This so called commercial era is killing fine musical talent, or how do you explain how D' banj selling nore records than ecetera a world class singer? Tight rappers like mode nine,OD,MI and others are forced into hybriding their music into something i cant classify.other artistes are forced out of their genres. The public ears are not helping matters, the Nigerian public is highly unintellectual and this hampers their ability to appreciate music. Salvage is an up coming reggea artiste,with brilliant vocals that i am marketing. Any time i play his music, the complain i hear is "make this guy try do party track". it's comments like these that made me quite rap and show biz. True talents are dying. Naija movies are even worse,so i dont even watch them.

mr timaya

Born Inetimi odon in the then River state, Timaya has risen to be one of Nigeria's top acts. His style consists of simple lyrics delivered at fast pace with tremendious intensity and energy. His debut album, True Story, flipped the script of mainstream naija music. He literally blew up from no where.

Timaya stared out as Pompous in Port - Harcourt in the early nineties. his early musical influences where mainly reagee the main music then. Due to his he passion for music his parents sent him to Lagos to stay with his elder sister Idubamo Fekumo. He was then sent to Ikeja Gramma school to continue his studies. He continued to be a rebel for music there,but his sister's heavy hands was there to guide him.

Along the line he hooked up with UDX an emerging rap group, and did a track on their album with them. His raw energy could be felt even at that young age. He was also working with Eedris underground at the time. He was a frequent face at his mangoro estate residence. At the Kennis music Easter festival 2004,he was a back up singer on stage for Eedris. After his secondary education, he heaaded back to the Niger Delta and continued to follow his passion.

He re-emerged in Lagos in 2006 as Timaya, with a renewed fire. After his liason with Danny Wilson and Basorge T jnr failed, Wisdom came to the rescue and ensured that he finished his job with K solo at the sound bakery. Before then he had taken part in many talent hunt competitions in Port harcourt and Bayelsa.

He hooked up with Namse Udosen AKA menthol x,who helped in the production of Pomporo, ahit track on the album. He also helped in promoting in Album at the initial stage in Cross river and Akwa Ibom states. The rest they say is history.

His second album has received rave reviews and is not doing badly on the charts. Timaya is the most sort after artist for colabo and that dosen't come cheap. On stage he is also a delight to watch, recently at the star trek in orlu he killed the crowed by bringing them back to life with his energy. Keep it Timaya.

Preview

so much is going on in the underground. BOIZ ARE NOT RESTING. I was the the studio to do a track last week with TY an upcoming naija r n B SINGER. I LACED 8 BARS cool floe on the track titled love back. the joint is sure to be a hit.

Tumas an underground singer who claims to be a friend of Timaya has just recorded a track aimed at Timaya. the song relies heavyly on the beats of Timaya's Yankuluma.

How to make a Naija hit song

I ve been studying the music scene for a while now and i have been involved in several projects of great proportions (timaya's first album, kc presh, pasto goody to name a few). Added to the fact that i am a roving music reporter, i guess i can be sid to an authority in the game, abi! Many budding artistes have come up to me and are like "menthol, how do i hit the lime light?" So i have come up with a time testable formula. check it out :

step 1
Get Terry G to produce a dance hall like beat for you no matter the genre of music you play.
Step 2
make sure terry g also takes the chorus and he shouts "free me now!" in the back ground.
step 3
feature timaya on on verse where he chants "Dem mama, dem papa" and dem other family members" about 50 times. also get him to make some religious chants.
step 4
Bootleg the track with djays and alaba boiz
step 5
do a remix featuring M.I

ASA:brilliant,inspirimg and,unsexy!

“There is fire on the mountain and nobody seems to be on the run”, this line from fire on the mountain, a single from her debut album summarizes her musical philosophy. Asa is a mix of shade Adu, Tracy Chapman and Erika Badu, combining a sultry voice and philosophical penning skills with an unconventional attractiveness. She defies all odds by diving into the Nigerian music mainstream without selling out! In a society where most ladies depend on baring it all to excel, Asa maintains decorum and still shines. She sings romance without obscenity and revolution without violence. Her lyrics are so conscious you can almost see them moving.

Asa was born in Paris, as Bukola Elemide 27 years ago. Her musical career has progressed in leaps and jumps since her flop at the 2002 edition of star quest, where the judges thought her not impressive enough. She defied the seeming failure and moved on with her career. The name Asa means “hawk”. In 2004 she hooked up with Janet, who became her friend and manager. Shortly after, the connection brought in prolific producer, Cobhams Asuquo and together with other talented artistes, she nestled with Questionmark Entertainment.

As Asa began to soar as an artiste, her music career became her utmost priority, “my guitar is my boy friend”, she told a popular magazine. She worked very hard on her debut album that was supposed to be released on the Questionmark imprint. But things turned sour between her and Kevin Luciano, the Q- mark boss. There were accusations and counter accusations; a split was the only way out apparently. Asa took off to Paris, where she hooked up with Naïve records, on whose platform she released her debut album “Asa” an eponym of herself in December, 2007. The album won critical acclaim both in Europe and Nigeria. In the words of James Silas of HWM, “it is sonorously rendered with a captivating aura that extends the thin line between a good and fairly delivered album”. She credits the production of the album to sound genius, Cobhams Asuquo, along side Benjamin Constant, Sebastian Viguier and Christophe Duporuy (not Duggary you football freaks!) who all gave their best to the ground breaking joint.

The album speaks directly to our consciousnesses. The jazzy instrumentals and the soulful singing are inspiration and lifting. We don’t have to go the 360 degrees to know that there is fire on the mountain, but no one knows tomorrow! Her love ballads, bring us from far away to see things fall down the drain, so let’s be careful when someone comes to say “I love you” or we could end up like “Bibanke”. At the end we are more in tune with what music is all about.

POST SCRIPT.

I watched her perform live at TINAPA on Easter Sunday and was left with locked jaws like tetanus. She had a full orchestra to back her up, very professional! I have never seen any Nigerian act with such a band before. Despite the distance from Calabar main town the hall was packed. I doff my hat for her.

The rugged man interview!

An online interview a had with ruggedybaba not to long ago.

The name ruggedman is known nationwide and even abroad, how did you do it?

The name is everywhere because of God,the good music I make ,my hard work,consistency,my easy going,down to earth personality and the people that love and support my music.

What has been your greatest challenge so far?
Nothing really.I dont see them as challenges.I see them as things that have to be taken care of and I know how to make good music and hustle to promote my music.Maybe I can say being an artiste and running a record label Rugged Records and also owning the first clothing line by a Nigerian artriste called 20th Sept Wear.CHECK THEM OUT ON www.myspace.com/ruggedmannigerian

You are reputed to be one of the leading hip hop heads in Nigeria,how familiar are you with the universal hip hop movement?

I started listening to hip hop in 1989 till date.I know what I know what I need to know and what I need about hip hop.If you talk about hip hop movement,I will say I am more interested in Nigerias hip hop movement which I am glad to have been infront of with my Ehen track that revolutionised the Nigerian music industry.
Thats why I have loads of awards to my credit and have been nominated for 2008s KORA all Africa music awards for best hip hop.

Most musicians are guilty of trivializing sexuality and portraying women as objects of entertainment and sexual gratification.What is your take on this?

The way peoples features are different,thats how peoples characters and view on life is different.Some musicians sing about the life they live,while some make it up and sing about it.9ice does not smoke cigarettes,let alone weed but he sang a monster hit called Ganja man.Music is no longer just music,it is now a business.Musicians look for angles that will make them sell records and they get into it.Nowadays sex sells,so the ones that can do it capitalise on it and make money from it.

Can you do anything to change it, or is it necessary to help sell your records?

Its a way of life.We know its not right but its a thing of choice.Its either you are ok with or you are not.One party says its bad,but how do you say that to a musician who is making 4 million naira in a month off such a song?You really cant force people not to do certain things,that will be encroaching on their fundamental human rights.So the most we can do is add parental advisory tags on such cds so people that dont like such will be aware and not buy it.

Any special advice to the youths out there?

.To the youths I will first oall say thank you very much for your love and support for Ruggedman and his music.
Then be true,be real and most especially be you.There is nothing bad you do that you will not pay for.It might sound harsh but thats how life is.
Hard work and positive persistence pays off at the end of the day.


On the mode nine beef, he says he has no time for that. he wont reply because mode nine is trying to use him to sell on of those his "hardcore albums.


Ruggedman is not new to awards anymore,but he is really excited about a 2nd KORA awards nomination.His 1st album titled Thy Album Come got a KORA nomination in 2005,now his 2nd album Ruggedy Baba has been nominated again for Best Hip Hop group/act.Ruggedman is using this medium to reach out to his fans seeking their votes for the award.

KORA AWARDS 09 VOTE RUGGEDMAN FOR BEST HIP HOP ACT/GROUP True Ruggedy Baba peops its on officially o!!!! Vote Ruggedman for KORA.IN NIGERIA Text RUGGEDMAN-BEST HIP HOP OR GROUP TO 33320.OUTSIDE NIGERIA TXT RUGGEDMAN-BEST HIP HOP ACT/GROUP TO +248 984 000.

Ruggedy has stated that he is going to put out 3 new songs on radio soon and is currently in the studio putting finishing touches to the songs.
He has also stated that this album will be his last album because he intends to pay 100% attention to his record label Rugged Records and will soon unveil the artistes he has been working with and his clothing line 20th Sept Wear .

POST SCRIPT
i saw the video for "banging" a couple of days ago and it is the bomb. brilliant video.

silver saddih: albub review

Album title: the bard
This is a brilliant delivery of R n B. the best by any Nigerian so far. his sonorous voice takes the listener on a trip to bliss. his lyrical ability is very deep, casting a magic spell on you like vodoo. With Cobhams on the boards the beats serenades the listener. Kadija shows how an artist can render beautifully even in a local dialect. after listening to this album , i wonder why it is not a mainstream hit.

what's beef?

The rap game in Nigeria is heating up. For the first time in Nigeria’s rap history we have 5 real rappers in the mainstream. Gone are the days when wanna bes stole the show and fakers ran court.
Before ruggedman’s “Ehen pt 1” coup most tight rappers remained underground, there was an erroneous thought that rap was an American thing. Those who showed up were a bib joke, they took advantage of the ignorance of the popular media and force feed us whack stuff. I laugh when Eedris says he pioneered hip-hop in Nigeria. Rap and Hip-hop has always thrived, the problem was that the media then was straight – jacketed. Many cities like Kaduna, Kano, Jos, Calabar etc had an awesome amount of underground rappers doing their thing actively before the remedies emerged... Thanks to the media boom in Lagos.
Before Eedris and he remedies, there were the Black masqueraders. Ruff ,Rugged and raw, Def O Clan, Swatroot, KD world, Menthol X, Fada Kane, UDX etc who were doing some very tight stuffs. I remember I had my first Nigerian Rap mixtape way back in 1996. But thanks to Kenny and D one who controlled the pioneer private TV and radio stations the remedies blew. Those who knew better remained mum like one of my parents. Even when black face and ruff rugged and raw spat some tight bars on Tony Tetuila’s “Omode meta”, no one gave them props, rather Eedris’ reply on wakawekee MCs was given all the hype. That was the beginning of mainstream rap duels. If Ruff, Rugged and Raw had hit back with a track of theirs, they would have blown, they retreated, and so did their career.



Enter Ruggedman; ‘Ehen’ aimed deadly blows on mainstream heavy weights: Rasqui, Maintain and Eedris. Kenny and D one tried to fight back on behalf of their prize rapper, Eedris, but the rugged one put them to the sword with big bros. Vanquished Eedris stopped rapping.
Rugged ran the game alone; there was no contest, so he turned to the club and party.
The trybes men and their trybe cohorts impressed only to falter. Eldee and freestyle gave the impression of a show down, but abandoned it before it got anywhere. Ruggedman had no sparring partner.

Mode nine is in the building; African stand up! And give him elbow room. Nine’s sharp and witty lyrics got the industry talking. Starting from “its about to get ugly” you could tell he was made for battle.


Single after single, and two mix tapes, modey ripped tracks
and showed nothing but raw skill and hunger for battle. Tongues started wagging, journalists started writing, and ruggedman knew someone was breathing down his neck.
“Ruggedybaba” was seen as a subtle address to Mode nine. During media chats and celebrity hangouts, both rappers made veiled references to each others’ style. When Ruggedman’s full album dropped. Tracks like “watch me” and “to whom it may concern” were no doubt aimed even indirectly at Mode. Nine also jabbed back with tracks like “Toron Giwa”,”spectacular” and “not like you”. That’s what most cats think any way. The battle for superiority was brewing, for the first time in naija rap we had two real pugilists going for the crown, although they had only been shadow boxing so far.
When Mode nine dropped “Talking to you” sometime in 2008 the press jumped on it and scored it as a direct hit, I disagree. In his words he confirms this saying “talking to you… that track was a decoy”! But ruggedman had already responded with “banging”.. Mode nine came out smoking with Spartans and the delivered the death blow on “the paradigm shift album.
While we watch the battle unfold, other cats are out spiting fire.M I gave us a unique flavour, he is very lyrical. Terry the rap man has resurrected a career that was almost dead with a brilliantly delivered “The rapman begins” album. Rugged man’s name appeared on it. Even if it was in jest. OD is also out spitting fire, he too had thoughts on rugged. His album is one of the hardest core raps since Mode nine’s “Malcolm IX”.It seems the reign of Ruggedman is coming to an end, but never under rate the Baba.

To those cats out there screaming beef, they better shut up. The rap industry is getting lively and trading banter is part of the game. Beef is what you get when you kill a cow!