The music industry is fast evolving and different genres have defined each generation, the world has become a global village with the advent of technology. With the racy, catchy Afro Hip hop trending globally with African musicians defining the narrative, after displacing the western musicians.
Of course spearheaded by the almighty Nija. Do not be surprised to see students and the youth in Ukraine dancing to Olamide's Wo, in Ghana you have Sakodi and Shatawale rocking the world. All over the world African music rules. The African music bug has so bitten the world that even in the almighty USA; in the African American community where the Hip hop culture has defined the youth, i have attended a lot of parties where hip hop is played;but if you wonno see the party move and really come alive, just slot in Wizkid "Soko" or Davido's "If" all hell will be let loose. That is not to say classical music has died in European Operas or the Hindus and Chinese do not still dance to their native music. We are talking popular culture here, the youth, i.e jeans sagging tattoo wearing and body piercing young people of the globe. The are Googling, facebooking, twittering and instagraming always on the Laptop, Ipad and mobile phone. We would try to give brief touch on some of the leading protagonist of this Afro hip hop genre.
WizKid.
Ayodeji Balogun aka wizkid is at the very top of the Afro hip hop food chain. Here in the picture above looking so cool from the days he was moving from studio to studio looking for which producer would listen to his demo.
He started music at age 11. He finally got a break when music producer cum artist Bankole Wellington aka Banky W gave him a break, his first album contained the hit track "Pakurumo". Since then he has never looked back. Living a dream life most youth would envy. He is about 28 years old with Billions of Naira in his account, fast flashy cars and hoards of women at his beck and call. He has since sired 3 sons from 3 different women. He has a clothing line he calls Star Boy, and seeing him in the company of Naomi campbell is not out of place. He has such hit tracks like, Pakurumo, Soco, Manya, Ojuelegba, fake love to mention a few. He is rather reclusive which is sometimes mistaken as pride. Not that he is bothered by the perception , as he would rather be counting his millions that come from his hits, endorsements and shows.
OBO
David Adeleke, omo baba olowo, which literally translates to "son of a rich father".
He is one of the most colorful, rich, generous and flamboyant Afro hip hop artist in the firmament. He was born in Atlanta about 26 years ago to Veronica Adeleke and Billionaire businessman Adedeji Adeleke.
At some point in his life his father brought him to Lagos Nigeria to continue his education under his watch. He had earlier enrolled at Oakwood University to study business Administration and had dropped out because of his passion for music. He had several fights with dad because of his love for music. His hustle finally paid off with his monster hit Dami Duro in 2011, since then he has not looked back playing hit single upon hit single among which is " fall" which currently is the most viewed Afro hip hop single in history with over 100 million views on Youtube. It is yet on the international billboard charts. Davido has made a fortune in music and he gives a lot of it away. His star appeal is sought after by even politicians in Nigeria. He rolls by flying about in a private jet with his girlfriend Chioma and his crew. He is much liked for collabo's , he is reputed to have sold out the O2 arena in London. He is not without controversy and is known to have sired two daughters outside wedlock. He is however a good and doting father. Among his numerous hits are, aiye, skelewu, gobe, if, and many others . He finally fulfilled all righteousness when he graduated from Babcock University in 2017.
Sarkodi
Recently married Michael Owusu Addo aka Sarkodie or Sakodi for short is one of the biggest Afro hip hop artist in the firmament. He is both a recording artist and an entrepreneur, he is from Tema in Ghana. He is about 34 years old and he is one of Ghana proudest sons. He is also a social influencer. He won BET award in 2012. He is much rated by music stations like MTV, his vocaling style is very unique and he was one of the proponents of Azonto dance, Ghana's greatest contribution to dance. Sakodi is one of the greatest rappers in the world, he started honning his skills when he was contesting and winning rap competitions in Ghana. Sakodi is much sought after for collabo's, and he has done some with Davido, Flavour, Mi Casa , Diamond platinumz and a most popular one "Adonai" with fellow Ghanaian Castro. With fame comes money and Sakodi seems generous with his, as is evidenced by his many youth empowerment programs.
Yemi Alade.
This is a musical diva, a sexy bum gyrating hip swinging, dancing and singing sensation.
She has much hits in the Kitty among which is the monster hit "Johnny " that launched her to superstardom. Johnny as at today has well over 50 million Youtube views, making Yemi a very rich woman. She was born about 30 years ago to a Yoruba father and an Ibo mother in Abia State. She started her music career in 2005 and by 2009 won a talent show and since has not looked back. Yemi is much sought after, and beyond her sexy look is a real talent. She has graced the cover of several magazines and has toured the music world sharing the stage with likes of Mary J Blige, MI, Wizkid to mention a few . This very Sexy lady just recently had a wicked Collabo with Mr Flavour. She has been nominated for several awards and has won a couple in her own right. Aside Johnny she has hits like, bumbum, knack am, oh my gosh, na gode, ferrari to mention a few.
Flavor.
Chinedu Okoli, aka Mr Flavor na bania or simply Flavor, is one the biggest hearthrobs in the music business. His flat tummy with 8 pack muscles, big biceps gyrating hips make many a woman salivate and imagine things. Little wonder this dreadlock wearing light in complexion Anambra born crooner has sired two lovely daughters from two beauty queens. Flavor has come a long way from the time he played " nwa baby" with his late friend mc Love. Flavor is not only blessed with a good voice he is also a multi instrumentalist and a performer, he has done collabo with all the Afro hip hop giants like. P Square, Tiwa Sawage, Yemi Alade, Tekno, Wande Cole to mention a few . He endeared himself to the whole world when he recently took a Liberian orphaned blind boy under his
Wings. Flavor is known for such hits like, nwa baby, kwakrikwo, sexy rosey, most high, oyi, golibe,baby na yoka, to mention a few
P Square.
P Square is perhaps the most popular group in Africa. They, i mean Peter and Paul Okoye. Ejima or the twins as they are called have had more hits than any other Afro hip hop group in Africa. They alongside their elder brother cum manager/ producer Jude Okoye and Clarence Peters have shot the best music videos in the business. The combined viewership of their videos on Youtube would exceed 200 million and that is being conservative. Is it any wonder that they are super rich with exotic cars and property in choice places in the world. P Square though of Igbo parentage were born and raised in Jos Plateau State Nigeria. Their musical odessey began in their youth where they formed and dissolved many bands and tinkered with their names till they arrived at
P Square . This group has won several
awards including Kora, and have received countless nominations, they have sold millions of records worldwide from innumerable hit tracks like " busy body" "beautiful onyinye", " do me", "Alingo",
" e no easy e", " chop my money". The hits can go on forever. They have done collabo's with international artists like; Akon, Rick Ross, Soukous exponent Awilo , Nigerian artist like Timaya, Flavour, just to mention a few.
Like all ventures human, egos and personality problems would soon arise, being identical twins not withstanding.
The P Square group are currently estranged with Peter and Paul pursuing their individual solo careers. Whether their individual successes would be equal or greater than the group success remains to be seen. Peter and Paul are successfully married and have despite their super stardom, refused to be involved in the shenanigans of baby mamaism.
This is just a wee bit of Afro hip hop music super stardom in Africa making waves the world over. We still have Super artists like; Timaya, Olamide, Tiwa, Shatawale, Diamond platinum and an unending list of stars. The featured artist above is no disrespect to them.
Plenty appreciation to wikipedia and all other media whose pictures were used.
Click the link below to listen to the songs of the Artists featured on the Blog
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