Top 10 Best Rappers in Africa (2023)
There are many talented rappers in Africa, and opinions on the best can vary. Who indeed are the best rappers in Africa? Who has been making African Hip-Hop worth listening to lately? Let’s find out!
This article does not consider the greatest rappers on the continent. We are not also looking at the biggest in terms of net worth, sales, deals, or shows only, but that has to do with Hip-Hop.
List of African Top 10 Rappers in 2023
Some of the most popular and critically acclaimed African rappers include:
1. M.I Abaga (Nigeria)
The Guy, as he is fondly called tops our best 10 African rappers of the year. M.I Abaga is a Nigerian rapper, songwriter, and record executive.
He is considered one of the most successful and influential hip-hop artists in Nigeria. M.I, which stands for Mr. Incredible, first gained mainstream recognition in 2008 with his debut album “Talk About It”. He has since released several more albums, including “M.I 2”, “The Chairman”, and “Yxng Dxnzl”, etc.
M.I is also the president of Chocolate City, one of the most successful record labels in Nigeria. He is the CEO of Incredible Music, a member of 100 Crown management, etc. He has also helped emerging rappers to the limelight, and some of them include A-Q, Loose Kaynoon, Blaqbonez, Phenom, etc.
2. Sarkodie (Ghana)
Sarkodie is a Ghanaian rapper, singer, and songwriter from Tema, Ghana. He is considered one of the most successful and influential hip-hop artists in Ghana and Africa. He began his music career in the early 2000s and released his debut album “Makye” in 2009.
He has since released several more albums, including “Rapperholic”, “Mary”, “Highest” and “Black Love”. Sarkodie is known for his unique style of rapping, combining the Twi language with English, as well as his collaborations with various African and international artists.
He has won several awards including BET Award for Best International Act: Africa, MTV Africa Music Award for Best Hip Hop, and many more. He’s considered one of the most decorated African rappers.
3. Khaligraph Jones (Kenya)
Khaligraph Jones is a Kenyan rapper, singer, and songwriter from Nairobi, Kenya. He is considered one of the most successful and influential hip-hop artists in Kenya.
He began his music career in the early 2000s and released his debut album “Testimony 1990” in 2013. He has since released several more albums, including “Blu Ink Corp”, “Testimony 1990” and “Khali Cartel”.
Khaligraph Jones is known for his unique style of rapping, combining the Sheng language with English, as well as his collaborations with various African and international artists.
He has won several awards including BET Award for Best International Act: Africa, MTV Africa Music Award for Best Hip Hop, and many more. He is also known for his controversial lyrics which often address social and political issues in Kenya.
4. Vector (Nigeria)
Vector is a Nigerian rapper, singer, and songwriter from Lagos, Nigeria. He is considered one of the most successful and influential hip-hop artists in Nigeria. He began his music career in the early 2000s and released his debut album “State of Surprise” in 2010.
He has since released several more albums, including “The Second Coming”, “Lafiaji” and “Vibes Before Teslim”. Vector is known for his unique style of rapping, combining the Yoruba language with English, as well as his collaborations with various African and international artists.
He is also known for his energetic and charismatic performances. He has won several awards and has been nominated for many more, including the Headies Awards, and Nigeria Entertainment Awards. He’s considered one of the most versatile rappers in Nigeria.
He’s also known for his activism, he’s been an advocate for the rights of the youths and for the betterment of Nigerian society.
5. Modenine (Ghana)
Modenine is a Nigerian rapper, singer, and songwriter from Lagos, Nigeria. He is considered one of the most successful and influential hip-hop artists in Nigeria.
He began his music career in the early 1990s and released his debut album “Unlimited” in 2000. He has since released several more albums, including “The Unstoppable Modenine”, “The Paradox” and “Elevated”.
Modenine is known for his unique style of rapping, combining the Yoruba language with English, as well as his collaborations with various African and international artists. He is also known for his energetic and charismatic performances.
He has won several awards and has been nominated for many more, including the Headies Awards, and Nigeria Entertainment Awards. He’s considered one of the most respected and lyrically profound rappers in Nigeria. He’s also known for his activism, he’s been an advocate for the rights of the youths and for the betterment of Nigerian society.
6. A-Q (Nigeria)
A-Q is a Nigerian rapper, singer, and songwriter from Lagos, Nigeria. He began his music career in the early 2000s and has since released several albums, including “The Past, The Present, The Future”, “God’s Engineering”, “The Live Report” and “Golden”.
He is considered one of the most successful and influential hip-hop artists in Nigeria. A-Q is known for his unique style of rapping, combining storytelling with socially conscious lyrics.
He has been praised for his ability to address important issues in Nigerian society through his music, and for his smooth flow and lyrical prowess.
He’s also known for his collaborations with another Nigerian artists, he’s been able to work with some of the most respected names in the industry. He’s also been involved in philanthropy and activism, working to support underprivileged youth and promote education in Nigeria.
7. Lyrical Joe (Ghana)
Lyrical Joe is a Ghanaian rapper, singer, and songwriter. He is known for his unique style of music which combines elements of hip-hop, afrobeats, and other genres.
He is known for his socially conscious lyrics and has gained popularity in the Ghanaian music scene. He released his debut album “The Lyrical Joe Experience” in 2019.
8. Jovi (Cameroon)
Jovi is a Cameroonian rapper, singer, and songwriter. He is known for his unique style of music which combines elements of hip-hop, afrobeats, and other genres.
He is one of the most popular and influential artists in Cameroon, known for his socially conscious lyrics and catchy beats.
Mboko God has released several albums and singles and has collaborated with other artists in the Cameroonian music scene and West Africa. He is also the founder of the music label New Bell Music.
9. Illbliss (Nigeria)
Illbliss is a Nigerian rapper, singer, and record producer. He is also known by his stage name Oga Boss. He is one of the most respected and successful hip-hop artists in Nigeria.
He began his career in the early 2000s as part of the group Da Trybe and later went solo. Illbliss has released several albums and is known for his socially conscious lyrics and collaborations with other artists in the Nigerian music scene.
He is also the founder and CEO of the record label Capital Hill Music.
10. Nasty C (South Africa)
Nasty C is a South African rapper, singer, and record producer. He is considered one of the most successful and influential artists in South Africa’s hip-hop scene.
He began his career as a teenager, releasing his debut mixtape in 2011, and has since released several successful albums and singles.
He has been recognized for his unique style, which combines elements of trap, hip-hop, and R&B. He has won multiple awards and has collaborated with other artists in the South African and international music scenes.
This list is not exhaustive and there are many other talented rappers in Africa.