It’s 2016 and it’s hard to list at least five female rappers currently active in the Nigerian hip-hop/rap game.
Let’s rewind as far back as 2008, it seemed as though the women were taking a stand and making their presence known with Sasha P and Weird MCtaking the lead. Since that time, it seems as though things have changed.
The last time any female rapper was acknowledge at the MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMA) was six years ago. In 2008, Sasha P was nominated at the maiden edition of the MAMAs as Best Female artist of the year. The next year (2009), Kel was nominated in the same category. In 2010, Sasha was nominated again as Best Female artist of the year and she won. The subsequent awards of the lifestyle brand had no representation of female rappers in any of the categories.
In the last five years of The Headies, there has been almost no representation of female MCs. Between 2015 and 2012; Eva Alordiah’s ‘Deaf’ was the only representation present. It was nominated in the Best Rap single category.
Some may argue that generally there is no craving for local rap, but there are men succeeding in the game. These women once ran the industry alongside the men (in no particular order):
Eva Alordiah
Right now Eva seems to be the only one present. Last year she released a couple of singles. This year she released a new single titled 'Kanayo' featuring Reminisce, Phyno. She was scheduled to release a new album titled “1960” a year ago but the album release date kept being changed.
Sasha P
Once hailed the First Lady of Nigerian hip-hop, Sasha P ruled the Nigerian hip-hop world and showed it was cool to be a rapper. In 2013 she decided to take a break from the music to focus on being an entrepreneur and running her fashion label, Eclectic by Sasha.
Weird MC
Weird MC led the rap trend in the 90s. She gained recognition in 1996 with her game changing single 'Allen avenue' which was off her debut album "Simply Weird". In 2006, Weird MC ruled the airwaves with her single ‘Ijo ya’ off her "After The Storm". The album earned her the Best Pop Album at the 2007 Headies.
Almost a year ago, it was revealed she was working with hit producer D'Tunes and a new album was in the works. A year later and we are still waiting.
Kel
Kel rocked the charts in 2009 with ‘Wa wa alright’. That same year she released her debut album. Since then we are yet to see her soaring the charts again. “Being a female rapper in Nigeria puts you under so much pressure”, she said in an interview with E-Punch in 2014.
Muna
Muna got our attention in 2011 especially after her collaboration on Waje’s ‘So inspired’ and Michael Word’s ‘Pop Sugar’. Following this the former Miss Nigeria released a couple of singles. In 2012, she hosted rap battle “Don't Break The Beat”. The rapper turned actress featured in online series "Indigo". In December 2015, she released a trap song titled 'Muna' produced by Bankyondbeatz.
Blaise
Blaise was once name to be reckoned with in rap. She was once a member of the defunct Trybesmen. Last time we heard from her was on a gospel track by Chimaobi called ‘Soso gi (You alone)’.
Find out who the top 10 rappers of 2015 are in the Pulse TV video below: