Top 10 naija rap songs of all time

 • These moments gave us some of the best songs we’ve ever heard

 • Olamide, when it comes to music, he remains one of the best to ever do it

 • Internationally, Ice was the man

The era of new school music domination in Nigeria began with rap music, way back in the early 2000s.

Sometimes it feels so crazy that two decades have passed since the emergence of hip-hop and rap music on the mainstream of Nigerian music.

The hip-hop culture ushered in the record label era, the independent era and alongside it came other commercially viable genres that metamorphosed into what we know as Afrobeats today.

In the history of the rap genre, there have been some iconic musical moments that are worth reliving.

Here’s a quick rank of the top ten Naija Rap Songs of all Time. Based on impact, commercial success, critical acclaim, and a little sentiment here and there, of course.

In no particular order, here we go!

1. Ruggedman

At a time when there was a monopoly and Kennis Music was parading Eedris Abdulkareem and the likes as best rappers around, Ruggedman came and changed the game.

On “Ehen,” Ruggedy Baba dissed everyone from Eedris, to Kennis, to Maintain. He was the one that paved the way for more independent rappers that came after and dominated.

He made more hits, of course, but this one is legendary. It changed how things were done around here and nobody could’ve done it better.

2. Olamide

Olamide is top five of all time, either you’re talking about afro-pop or Afrobeats or hip-hop, whatever.

“Eni Duro,” his first single is one of those tracks that you just had to be there when it dropped.

It was everywhere on the streets, in 2011. And that’s been ten years. Classic. Indeed only Olamide can outdo himself.

3. Ice Prince

Ice Prince was one of the first artists who put Nigerian music on the map globally.

Internationally, Ice was the man. He did it like nobody else before him has done it.

And during that classic run, he created one of the best Nigerian records of all time, “Oleku.”

I don’t know what’s more amazing, the Brymo hook, the instrumental, or Ice Prince‘s legendary rhyme scheme on the verses.



4. Mr Raw

Mr Raw, otherwise known as Nigga Raw is one of the pioneers of indigenous rap music in Nigeria.

His 2007 album, “Everything Remains Raw,” is one of the first albums with pure Igbo rap.

“Ko Gbadun” is a hit from that album, and it was all over the place in 2007. A solid track about the state of things in the country at the time.

5. Dagrin

This track, indeed, cannot be forgotten. Dagrin made one of the hottest rap songs ever with “Pon Pon Pon.”

There is no question about how legendary this song is, actually.



6. M.I Abaga

In 2017, this track got every tongue wagging when veteran rapper, M.I Abaga came out of ‘retirement’ to diss every rapper.

This song is in many ways like Ruggedman‘s “Ehen” as it did change the culture.

M.I is probably the only one left that can make so many OG rappers insecure. So many people got in the booth just because of this song.

7. Phyno

Olamide and Phyno did something iconic here and it’s not talked about enough if we’re being honest.

“Ghost Mode” started what would become one of the best duos of all time in the history of Nigerian music.

They would go on to do other classic songs like “Fada Fada” and even did a whole album together. 2 Kings!

8. Reminisce

This song was like the funeral of hip-hop music in Nigeria. The irony of three successful rappers jumping on a hip-hop beat to say rap doesn’t pay.

It is, indeed, one of the most monumental collaborations by rappers ever. The chemistry the three OG’s had on “Local Rappers” is something so many people have tried to recreate in the past to no avail.

9. iIlbliss

If for nothing else, but for introducing one of the best to ever do it, Phyno, this song remains legendary. It was part of Illbliss‘ critically acclaimed studio album back in 2011 and was a monster hit, on Radios, TV, and literally everywhere on the East Coast.

10. Olamide

“Eyan Mayweather” is perhaps Olamide‘s hardest rap song to date, and was the best rap song in Nigeria in all of 2015.

This was back when Olamide had to clear up the controversy about his rap prowess fading away after going “commercial.” Baddo was really smoking hot then.