African rappers, such as M.I. Abaga, Falz, Sarkodie, Cassper Nyovest, and Khaligraph Jones, are highly regarded for their lyrical uniqueness and storytelling skills. More than entertainers, these artists are philosophers and social activists who use their voices to shape culture and make impactful change in the African continent.
Popular African rappers (L-R): Dip Doundou Guiss, Rosa Ree, Sarkodie, and Nasty C. Photo: @dip_doundouguissofficiel, @RosaReeGoddess, @sarkodie.obidiponbidi, @nastyczzle (modified by author)
Source: FacebookTABLE OF CONTENTSKey takeawaysWho are the best African rappers?1. Sarkodie2. Kao Denero3. Nasty C4. Khaligraph Jones5. Cassper Nyovest6. Nazizi7. M.I. Abaga8. Octopizzo9. Olamidé10. AKA11. M.anifest12. Soolking13. Nadia Nakai14. Falz15. Ladipoe16. Nyashinski17. Soulja18. Iba One19. Dip Doundou Guiss20. Rosa ReeIs hip hop big in Africa?Who is the most popular African rapper?Who are the best male African rappers?Who are the best female African rappers?Key takeawaysTop male African rappers include lyrical geniuses such as Nyashinski, Soulja, Dip Doundou Guiss, Nadia Nakai, and Soolking.The list includes notable female artists such as Nazizi, Rosa Ree, Femi One, Deto Black, Sho Madjozi, and SGaWD.These artists blend traditional rap with unique cultural music styles, creating distinctive hip hop music.Who are the best African rappers?In compiling the list of the most legendary rappers in Africa, we used a combination of factors, including influence, cultural and regional impact, and industry recognition. While the selection is based on credible sources, this is not a ranked list, as musical tastes and opinions may vary.
This list was crafted with data and insights from trusted sources, including Grammy, Pan African Music, OkayAfrica, Boomplay, and Forbes, to ensure accuracy and relevance in showcasing their wealth.
RapperNationalityMost notable songSarkodieGhanaianAdonaiKao DeneroSierra LeoneanGreengoldNasty CSouth AfricanSMA (Vol. 1)Khaligraph JonesKenyanKhali Cartel 3Cassper NyovestSouth AfricanSiyathandanaNaziziKenyanPrideM.I. AbagaNigerianBullion VanOctopizzoKenyanNoma NiOlamidéNigerianInfinityAKASouth AfricanFela in VersaceM.anifestGhanaianMe Ne WoaSoolkingAlgerianLibertéNadia NakaiZimbabwean-South AfricanNaaa MeeaanFalzNigerianThis Is NigeriaLadipoeNigerianRunningNyashinskiKenyan MalaikaSouljaSudaneseCharlestonIba OneMalianTout Va BienDip Doundou GuissSenegaleseMe N YouRosa ReeTanzanianOne Time1. SarkodieSarkodie attended Diamond Platinumz’ First Of All launch at Mondrian London on 12 April 2022 in London, England. Photo: Kate Green
Source: Getty ImagesFull name: Michael Owusu AddoDate of birth: 10 July 1985Place of birth: Tema, GhanaGhana’s most prominent hip hop artist, Sarkodie, is known for hits such as Painkiller, Can’t Let You Go, Lucky, and Happy Day. Sarkodie is celebrated as the most awarded rapper in Africa, with more than 120 titles. After releasing his first album in 2000, he did not waste any time dominating the entertainment scene with his unique hip-hop style that uses the Twi language.
2. Kao DeneroSierra Leonean rapper Kao Denero pictured before the release of his freestyle song, Chronicle Part 2. Photo: @_KaoDenero
Source: TwitterFull name: Amara Dennis TurayDate of birth: 1980sPlace of birth: Lungi, Port Loko, Sierra Leone.Sierra Leonean rapper, Kao Denero, is known as an influential voice and the ambassador of Sierra Leonean hip-hop. In addition to pioneering this genre in the region, he was recently crowned the 2025 Africa Golden Award for Best Male Hip-Hop/Rap Artist.
3. Nasty CNasty C gestures during a portrait session for the MTV Europe Music Awards 2022 at PSD Bank Dome in Duesseldorf, Germany. Photo: Gareth Cattermole – MTV/MTV
Source: Getty ImagesFull name: Nsikayesizwe David Junior NgcoboDate of birth: 11 February 1997Place of birth: Durban, South AfricaNasty C, popularly known as the Coolest Kid in Africa, began rapping at age nine. Inspired by his older brother, Siyabonga Ngcobo, he grew his lyrical skills and music production. In 2018, he launched his own label, Tall Racks Records, revolutionising how South African artists own their music rights, distribute music, and receive royalty payments.
4. Khaligraph JonesKenyan rapper Khaligraph Jones pictured during a photoshoot. Photo: @khaligraph_jones
Source: InstagramFull name: Brian Robert Ouko OmolloDate of birth: 12 June 1990Place of birth: Kayole, NairobiFrom the AFRIMA Awards to BET nominations, Khaligraph Jones’ influence in African hip-hop is undeniable. The rap artist in the humble streets of Kayole, Nairobi, blends English, Swahili, and Sheng to create a unique flow. Through hits such as Hao, Jitu, Bad Dreams, Yes Bana, and Chali Ya Ghetto, Khaligraph addresses conscious social and political issues.
5. Cassper NyovestCassper Nyovest was pictured before a January 2025 concert. Photo: @CassperNyovest
Source: FacebookFull name: Refiloe Maele PhooloDate of birth: 16 December 1990Place of birth: Mahikeng, North West province, South AfricaCassper Nyovest is one of the largest influences on African music. Like many African rappers, Nyovest has shown deep commitment to his local roots, specifically his Motswako roots and the Motswako music nation. His influence expands to entrepreneurial ventures such as the Family Tree Records, Root of Fame, Billiato, and the Fill Up concert series.
6. NaziziNazizi pictured during the release of Necessary Noize’s Reality. Photo: @nazizihirji
Source: InstagramFull name: Nazizi Hirji Date of birth: March 1981Place of birth: KenyaNazizi put herself on the map in the late 1990s, pioneering the genre in Kenya and Africa. The 254 singer inspired a generation of artists, such as Nadia Nakai, with a versatile blend of hip-hop, reggae, and dancehall tunes. Her most popular songs, Necessary Noize, Jump and Shout, Kenyan Boy, and Bless My Room, shaped Kenyan culture and became national anthems of sorts in the 2000s.
7. M.I. AbagaM.I. Abaga attended the 15th Annual Headies Awards at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre in 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. Photo: Paras Griffin
Source: Getty ImagesFull name: Jude Lemfani AbagaDate of birth: 4 October 1981Place of birth: Jos, NigeriaBorn and raised in Nigeria, M.I. Abaga has grown his portfolio to include titles such as hip hop artist, lyricist, producer, songwriter, instrumentalist, and record label executive. He broke into mainstream entertainment with best-selling albums in Nigerian charts, such as his debut album, Talk About It.
M.I. has won numerous awards and titles, including the MTV Africa Music Awards, Headies Best Rap Album and Lyricist, Modemen Awards Musician of the Year, and the City People Awards Best Hip Hop Artist.
8. OctopizzoAfrican rapper, Octopizzo, was pictured during an interview with NTV Kenya. Photo: @ntvkenya
Source: TwitterFull name: Henry OhangaDate of birth: 1988Place of birth: Kibera, Nairobi, KenyaTo fans, Octopizzo’s inspirational journey from Kibera slums to global acclaim is just the icing on the cake. According to Business Quest, he made his eighth appearance in 2024 on Spotify’s Global Impact List with the hit song, Kich Ka’ Liech, a testament to his popularity.
The hip hop artist lends his voice through song to break stigma around poverty, tribalism, and corruption. Through the Octopizzo Foundation’s Refugeenius program, he advocates and provides creative empowerment opportunities for refugees.
9. OlamidéNigerian rapper, Olamide, pictured sitting during an interview on Flow with Korty. Photo: @Dennisolajide
Source: InstagramFull name: Olamide Gbenga AdedejiDate of birth: 15 March 1989Place of birth: Bariga, Ikeja, NigeriaNigerian rapper and singer Olamidé launched his career in 2010 with his debut single, Eni Duro and a year later with the album, Rapsodi. In 2012, he founded an independent Nigerian record label, Yahoo Boy No Laptop Nation, popularly known as YBNL Nation.
As the label boss, Olamide has won two Headies awards in 2012 and the Billboard Global Power Players recognition in 2025 for his leadership. The label has also been home to successful artists such as Asake, Fireboy DML, and Adenkule Gold.
10. AKAAKA pictured while in Los Angeles, California. Photo: @akaworldwide
Source: InstagramFull name: Kiernan Jarryd ForbesDate of birth: 28 January 1988Date of death: 10 February 2023Place of birth: Cape Town, South AfricaBefore his death, AKA was known for his collaborations as well as rivalries with artists such as Cassper Nyovest. He gained prominence with his 2011 debut album, Altar Ego, and its hit single, Victory Lap. His record as the first South African rapper with a platinum-selling album was a clear testament to his talent.
11. M.anifestM.anifest pictured during a photoshoot for the release of his 2025 album, New Road and Guava Trees. Photo: @manifestations
Source: FacebookFull name: Kwame Ametepee TsikataDate of birth: 20 November 1982 Place of birth: Accra, GhanaM.anifest is a leading Ghanaian musician, known for his signature sound that blends Ghanaian highlife, hiplife, and modern Afrobeat genres. His ties to music began with family relations, such as Prof. J. H. Kwabena Nketia, his grandfather, one of the leading composers on the continent. His new 14-track album, New Road and Guava Trees, adds to his legacy as one of Africa’s greatest musicians.
12. SoolkingSoolking pictured in Paris, France, during the 2025 Paris Fashion Week. Photo: @soolkingofficiel
Source: InstagramFull name: Abderraouf DerradjiDate of birth: 10 December 1989Place of birth: El Hammamet, AlgeriaAccording to the Arab News, the Algerian rapper ventured into the entertainment industry as a drummer and dancer. Soolking’s music carries a culturally rich blend of American and French rap, reggae, Algerian raï, pop, jazz, and reggaeton genres.
He gained widespread recognition with viral hits like Guerilla, Dalida, and Liberté, which became an unofficial anthem for the 2019/21 Algerian Revolution of Smiles protests. His music, through albums such as Sans Visa, tells a story of his journey as an undocumented immigrant in France.
13. Nadia NakaiNadia Nakai pictured in her signature Bragga merchandise for Mercha. Photo: @illythehost
Source: FacebookFull name: Nadia Nakai Kandava DlaminiDate of birth: 18 May 1990 Place of birth: Johannesburg, South AfricaNadia Nakai is one of the many African female rappers breaking barriers in a male-dominated industry. Since the early 2000s, she has risen to the top of South African charts, while making waves on the continental and global stage. The 2022 BET Award nominee has also ventured into acting, voice-over work, TV hosting, and fashion.
14. FalzAfrican rapper, Falz, pictured in a white outfit. Photo: @falzthebahdguy1
Source: FacebookFull name: Folarin FalanaDate of birth: 27 October 1990Place of birth: Mushin, Lagos, NigeriaFalz is a trained lawyer whose prominence in the Nigerian hip hop industry was fueled by his viral 2018 hit, This Is Nigeria, a cover of Childish Gambino’s This Is America. The musical artist who was praised by Al Jazeera for his notoriety as the rebel rapper continues to blend humour and wit into potent social and political commentary.
15. LadipoeLadipoe attended the premiere of his film, Christmas in Lagos. Photo: @ladipoe
Source: InstagramFull name: Ladipo EsoDate of birth: 29 April 1992Place of birth: Ikoyi, Lagos, NigeriaLadipoe began his musical journey in secondary school and later at the University of North Carolina. While at the university, he created two albums, Rhymes and Reason and Hip Hop Anonymous, as a member of Lyrically Equipped. His hits, such as Afro Jigga, Big Energy, and Feeling, have earned him critical acclaim and streaming success.
16. NyashinskiNyashinski pictured during a photoshoot. Photo: @RealShinski
Source: FacebookFull name: Nyamari OngeguDate of birth: 8 April 1984 Place of birth: Kisii, KenyaNyashinski gained fame as part of Kenya’s pioneering hip-hop group Kleptomaniax before launching a successful solo career sometime in the 2010s. His notable comeback has grown to draw a cult-like following in Kenya, Africa, and beyond.
His steady career is marked by major hits like Tuendelee and Now You Know, and a recent historic recording deal with Sony Music, cementing his legacy as a foundational figure in East African music.
17. SouljaSoulja pictured promoting Moonlanding World, a clothing brand. Photo: @souljamusic
Source: InstagramFull name: Osama AshrafPlace of birth: North Sudan, SudanSoulja, born Osama Ashraf, is a Sudanese rapper and is considered a distinctive voice in the Arabian rap scene. From his early years in Khartoum, the cultural influences that shaped his character drive his art, blending Sudanese rhythms with modern rap. His song includes Talaash, Phool, and Alvida.
18. Iba OneAfrican rapper, Iba One, pictured during a photoshoot. Photo: @iba.one
Source: InstagramFull name: Ibrahim Mahamadou Fily SissokoDate of birth: 22 March 1989Place of birth: Bamako, MaliAFRIMA award winner, Iba One is prominently known for blending traditional Malian sounds with modern hip-hop and trap music. Through his art, the Malian rapper and singer has shown commitment to social activism, using his platform to raise awareness about issues in Mali.
19. Dip Doundou GuissDip Doundou Guiss pictured in traditional clothing. Photo: @dip_doundouguissofficiel
Source: InstagramFull name: Dominique PreiraDate of birth: 22 March 1991Place of birth: Dakar, SenegalSince his debut album, Tay Leu Kagn, released in 2016, Dip Doundou Guiss has grown to become one of the most popular and respected Senegalese rappers. He primarily raps in French and Wolof, a local language spoken in Senegal and The Gambia, with occasional English use.
The award-winning rapper typically uses his art to tackle social and political issues, such as corruption and state brutality, as seen in his protest anthem #FreeSenegal.
20. Rosa ReeTanzanian rapper, Rosa Ree, pictured during a photo shoot. Photo: @sarkodie.obidiponbidi
Source: FacebookFull name: Rosary Robert IwoleDate of birth: 21 April 1995Place of birth: Moshi Urban, TanzaniaRenowned Tanzanian rapper, Rosa Ree, is credited with empowering women in the East African country and the continent as a whole. Participating in the BET 2020 Hip Hop Cypher solidified her status as a top female rapper in Tanzania and on the global stage. She uses Afrobeat, Bongo Flava, and rap to create a signature lyrical style in songs such as One Time and Goddess.
Is hip hop big in Africa?Hip hop’s evolving presence in Africa began in the early 1980s. Since then, the genre has become a major cultural force shaping social and political consciousness in the youth and mainstream population.
Who is the most popular African rapper?There are various popular African rappers, with Sarkodie from Ghana being frequently cited as the most influential artist. Other highly popular rappers include Nasty C, Cassper Nyovest, M.I. Abaga, and Khaligraph Jones.
Who are the best male African rappers?Popularity among top male African rappers varies greatly by region, style, and skill. The most recognised male African rappers include Olamide, M.anifest, Darassa, and Octopizzo.
Who are the best female African rappers?Celebrated female African rappers on the continent include Femi One, Nadia Nakai, Rosa Ree, and Sho Madjozi. Others include Ami Yerewolo and Eno Barony, honoured for their extensive catalogues.
African rappers such as Nyashinski, Rosa Ree, Ladipoe, and Dip Doundou Guiss, among others, draw from their experiences in various fields to bring out their beliefs, philosophies, and political as well as social activism. They are also heavily influenced by regional musical styles such as Bongo Flava from Tanzania and others.
Legit.ng recently published a list of the best rappers in the world. This compilation lists artists with award-winning and chart-topping tracks and albums throughout their careers.
Rap artists achieve varying degrees of fame and success depending on factors such as talent, personal branding, cultural relevance, and their ability to connect with fans. Read on for an extensive list of the most impactful rappers right now.
Proofreading by Kola Muhammed, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
