Hip hop has come a long way from its origins in the Bronx, New York to worldwide popularity; it has truly become a powerhouse within music and world culture at large. In recent years African rap music has gained massive popularity so much so that collaborations with artists such as Drake are becoming more and more common. Some African rappers are selling just as many singles and albums as western rappers. Artists such as Diamond Platnumz, Wiz Kid, AKA, Cassper Nyovest have recently gained international stardom and helped to bring attention to Afro rap.
However, the genre is relatively young and while most people are familiar with the origins of hip hop as a whole, very few are familiar with the origins of its African counterpart. There are pioneers who paved the way for modern day Afro hip hop. This article sheds some light on some of these pioneers; many who are often forgotten and sometimes overlooked.
Mizchif (Zimbabwe/South Africa)
Mizchif was one of the first rappers to get a considerable amount of recognition when he initially released his music. He was from Zimbabwe but spent a great deal of time in South Africa where it’s believed he was the first rapper to independently release a full length solo rap album titled Music From All Angles in 1999. His single Place For A Wife received quite a lot of airplay and helped pave the way for other rappers. Unfortunately he died in 2014 due to health issues at the age of 38.
Modenine (Nigeria)
Before the popularity of Nigerian artists such as D’Banj, M.I. and Ice Prince there was Modenine. The rapper is known for his no nonsense lyricism for which he has won many awards. He’s an old head who sticks to 90s style boom bap beats with no frills. He also received quite a lot of airplay especially on MTV Base for his songs Elbow Room and Cry.
Real Elements (Malawi)
Real Elements was one of the pioneering rap groups in Malawi. The group consisted of three emcees and a producer. They wrote lyrics in Chichewa and English and toured in the UK. They were offered several recording deals but ended up not signing. Nonetheless their music impacted many Malawians and influenced future musicians such as Tay Grin. Their song These Elements got some airplay on Channel O; a music channel which broadcasts all over Africa.
Kalamashaka (Kenya)
As a youngster I had the privilege of watching Kenyan rap group Kalamashaka on stage. The trio was raw but electric. They rapped in Kiswahili and were among the very first group of African artists to make hip hop music which went further than their basement. They got extensive airplay on various radio stations. Their video for the song Fanya Mambo became a regular track on Channel O. However, the track which got them initial recognition is Tafsiri Hii.
Skwatta Kamp (South Africa)
No rap crew has made a bigger impact on the Southern African rap scene than Skwatta Kamp. The group had something for everyone; lyricism, gruff and aggressive delivery, hot beats, etc. The seven man crew which consisted of Nemza, Infa, Flabba, Shugasmakx, Slikour, Bozza and Nish eventually split up as expected but not without leaving a lasting impact on the regional hip hop scene and creating several solo stars most notably Slikour and Flabba. Unfortunately though Flabba was murdered in 2015 by his girlfriend. The group won many awards and sold a lot of records during the time it was active.
ProVerb (South Africa)
Very few artists are as lyrical and thought-provoking as ProVerb. He is arguably the best rap lyricist from Africa to ever bless the mic. His debut album The Book of ProVerb is a classic full of rich stories, thoughts and clean rhymes covering all subjects from love, woman empowerment, dreams and his love for hip hop. He’s an emcee’s emcee and a true pioneer of African hip hop. If I had to recommend only one artist that you have to listen to from this list it’s ProVerb.
Navio and Klear Kut (Uganda)
I first heard Navio on a mixtape that my sister had gotten from her friend. The overall production was raw and amateurish (it was a home studio recording made just for fun) but regardless of that his star power shone through. His delivery was clear, precise and confident. Shortly after hearing that mix tape I saw him on TV in a group called Klear Kut. Their song Mon Couer was n regular rotation of MTV Base and became quite popular. The group was nominated for a Kora Award, the African equivalent of a Grammy Award. Navio went on to have several hit songs, the most popular one being the Peter Miles track Rukus on which he was a featured artist. The group eventually split up to pursue their education but not without leaving their mark on the African rap music scene.
The pioneers of Afro hip hop were many, too many to be listed in full. Other names worth mentioning include Pro Kid from South Africa, Hardstone from Kenya, Poxi Pressure from Kenya, Tuks from South Africa, Cashless Society from Botswana and Zola from South Africa.
