Reggae and Hip Hop Music of Nigeria

When talking about the reggae music in Nigerian, this ensemble of music was begun by an artist simply known as Terakota. In the 80s, Nigerian reggae musicians including the Mandators, Majek Fashek, Ras Kimono who’s 1988 cover of Bob Marley’s Redemption Song, became an exceptional achievement for reggae in Nigeria. And later on many Nigerian reggae artists like Fashek was a part of the long-running band The Mandator who travelled and recorded nonstop during the mid and the late 1980s and early 90s. Later renowned reggae artists include Daddy Showkey and Jerri Jheto.

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Hip hop music was introduced to Nigerian in the late 1980s and increased steadily famous throughout the first part of the 1990s. The first acts include Sound on Sound, Ruff Rugged & Raw, Emphasis, De Weez, SWAT ROOT and Balck Masquradaz. However, mainstream achievement increased later in the year, with interest introduced by the early hits like The Trybesmen’s Trybal Marks in 1999 and the trio The Remedies Judile and Sakoma.

One of the Remedies members Tony Tetuila, went on to work with the Plantashun Boiz to great commercial commendation. In 1999 founding of Paybacktyme Records initiated by Solomon Dare, popularly called Solodee, Kennis Music by Kenny Ogungbe, Dove Records initiated by Nelson Brown and Trybe Records initiated by elDee help redefined and recognized a Nigerian hip hop scene. Also, the general fast increase of the entertainment scene with help from the media support promotes the hip hop music in Nigeria. Television programs like the MTN Y’ello concert, Music Africa, Nigezie and Soundcity played an important role. Other notable Nigeria hip hop artists include Ruggedman who is a former member of the Remedies, Eedris Abdulkareem (who had a well-publicized quarrel with the American star, 50 Cent), Naeto C, Weird MC, Young Paperboyz, Twin-X and P-square.