African hip-hop

[1][page needed] While the consensus is that hip hop originated in the Bronx, many scholars and enthusiasts argue that the genre's artistic roots can be traced back to Africa.

These highly skilled orators, poets, musicians, praise singers and satirists traveled extensively, recounting the history of their empires through rhythmic and repetitive delivery.

African-American poetry groups, collectively called The Last Poets offered the earliest glimpse of Africa’s influence on Western hip hop culture, during the Civil Rights movement.

Angola has a lively hip hop music scene, including popular and influential crews like Conciencia da Africa, Atitude violenta, Pobres Sem Culpa, Filhos Da Ala Este, Mutu Moxy (Intelektu) Based in Cape Town, South Africa, and have begun to work with some South African hip hop musicians.

SSP, Mutu Moxy (Intelektu) Political Rap, Kool Kleva, Nelboy Dastha Burda are credited for being the pioneers of the hip hop in Angola from the late 1980s to the early 1990s.

[10] New Hip Hop Musicians such as William Last KRM, Ban T, DoubleUp(Ambitiouz Entertainment) and AbtheActivist have found mainstream success in the neighboring South Africa .

Other rapper-activists in Guinea include Cientista Realistas, As One, F. B. M. J., Bunca MC, Rock Salim, Dame Cotche, Race Preto, Fil Cap, Best Friends, Daw Tchaw, Baloberos, Torres Gemeo.

[22] Notable rappers who were early on the scene include Criminal A, Bantu Clan, Real Elements, Dynamike, Dominant 1, Black Mind, L-Planet, trudoccsy, Ben Flavor,Knight of the Round Table, and Wisdom Chitedze.

By the late 2000s the scene had picked up further with artists such as Barry One, Godskho, Sage Poet, Sergius, Prototype, Prevail, G.E.N.E.T.I.X, MO Effects, Nyasa Vibes Crew, Basement, Mandela Mwanza, Hyphen, Fredokiss, and Tay Grin gaining notoriety.

Around the same time, Christian rap started to gain popularity and that movement was spearheaded by Manyanda Nyasulu, DJ Kali, KBG, Double Zee, Liwu, C-Scripture,[23] Asodzi, Erasto, and Sintha.

Some of the producers who helped pioneer the sound of Malawian hip hop include Dominant 1, Maj Beats, The Dare Devils, Kond1,[24] Dynamike, Keith Justus Wako,[24] Qabaniso Malewezi, Tapps, Dizzo, Sonye, Kas Mdoka and Rebel Musiq.

During this period, Nigeria was under military rule, which contributed to widespread economic difficulties, including currency devaluation, job losses, and high unemployment, particularly among recent university graduates.

The genre was initially popularized through the use of Nigerian languages in the lyrics, combined with traditional hip hop beats from pioneers like DJ Kool Herc, Afrika Bambaataa, and Grandmaster Flash.

The advent of computers and affordable music editing software in the late 1990s and early 2000s enabled Nigerian artists to produce higher-quality recordings, which quickly resonated with the local audience.

The late 1990s and early 2000s also saw the emergence of artists returning from the Western diaspora, such as eLDee da Don, U.G.O, Madarocka, and Naeto C, along with European-Nigerians like JJC Skillz and the 419 Squad.

Despite a decline in popularity from 2010 to 2021, when hip hop's market share dropped from nearly 15% to 7%, a resurgence began in early 2022 with a new wave of artists like Reminisce, Olamide, Falz, Naira Marley, CDQ, PsycoYP, Cheque, and Blue Ivan, who introduced a refreshed approach to the genre.

Publications such as Hip-Hop World Magazine, African Beatz, Blast, and Bubbles have played a significant role in shaping and promoting hip hop culture in Nigeria and across Africa.

[39][34][40][33][36] Prominent figures in the street pop scene are Olamide, Phyno, Slimcase, Mr Real, Idowest, Naira Marley, Zinoleesky, Mohbad, Balloranking, Reminisce, Rexxie, Zlatan Ibile, Sarz, 9ice, Lil Kesh, T.I Blaze, Asake, Portable, Bella Shmurda, Seyi Vibez, and DJ Kaywise.

One often-cited reason for the prominence of Senegalese hip hop is the ancient musical and oral traditions of that country, which include some practices, like griots and tassou, which are similar to rapping.

The discovery of gold in Johannesburg in the late 19th century led to a migration of diverse tribal groups, resulting in a fusion of traditional South African and European music, which contributed to the development of a unique sound.

The South African hip hop scene became divided, with Cape Town being recognized as a central hub, known for its politically charged and socially conscious artists.

The youth in South Africa initially engaged with hip hop through breakdancing and graffiti, due to the high cost and limited availability of American music.

Although some skepticism existed regarding hip hop's ties to the broader global context of Third World struggles, South African youth embraced the genre’s anger, passion, and style.

The adaptation allowed them to express their experiences and connect with broader socio-political issues, particularly in the context of apartheid, using hip hop as a vehicle for cultural pride and resistance.

[43][44][45][46] South African hip hop has risen as a significant presence in the country's mainstream music landscape and it has undergone a transformative journey over the decades.

Notable figures in South African hip hop include Tuks Senganga, Cassper Nyovest, Nasty C, Kwesta, Khuli Chana, iFani, Mo'Molemi, Da L.E.S, Sjava, K.O, Frank Casino, Okmalumkoolkat, Fifi Cooper, Anatii, Emtee, Shane Eagle, YoungstaCPT, A-Reece, and Big Zulu.

Other formative groups on the Ugandan hip hop scene in the early 90s include Young Vibrations, MC Afrik, DJ Berry, Sylvester and Abramz and Kaddo.

In 2005 the Bavubuka All Starz[55] was formed under the leadership of Silas aka Babaluku of the Bataka Squad, with the mission of bringing hip hop music and community together to address social causes.

Bulawayo born rappers like POY and Naborth Rizzla played a big role in the growth of rap music in Zimbabwe through running tours around colleges and Universities.

Rapper PilAto for example, was arrested for participating in protests when he accused future member of the ruling party in Zambia of stealing state resources in 2017, in one of his songs.