CASSPER NYOVEST: GHETTO (SOUTH AFRICA)
Born Refiloe Maele Phoolo in a Mafikeng village called Montshiwa, Cassper Nyovest’s love for performing before crowds began at an early age when he was still in primary school where he always fought to be on every single play and show.
Influenced by his late brother, Khotso Motebang Phoolo who passed on in 2003, the South African rapper, recording artist and record producer began his music career in 2004 with a hip hop group called Childhood Gangsters (CHG). He later gained mainstream fame with his 2013 single “Gusheshe.”
In 2006, he dropped out of high school and relocated to Johannesburg to pursue his music career. In 2007, he was signed to a record label called Impact Sounds where he spent two years, but left after its inability to release his album. Moving from impact sounds, he established his own record label named Press Play Music.
His song, “Ghetto” is a song that talks about street life in South Africa. It is a cool song which clearly shows his rap skills, and he also featured international act, DJ Drama. The video for the song was shot in the township of Alexandra, Johannesburg, South Africa, and it was well received by his fans. It has also been described as South Africa’s best hip-hop song of 2015.
EDEM: THE ONE (REMIX) (GHANA)
Denning Edem Hotor is a recording artiste and entertainer born in Dzodze in the Volta region of Ghana. He grew up surrounded by music made in his locality, and those from across the world, ranging from hip-hop to dancehall, reggae and hip-life.
His musical journey began at the age of nine as he used to take up any item that could produce good rhythm. He thereby developed this passion in music, and formed a six-member group known as “Ringmasters” in secondary school.
In 2006, he released his first radio hit single “Wotome Woshi” which literally means “We came and they ran.” It gained much popularity in his region and added to his reputation as a talent to look out for. He was later signed by a record label called The Last Two Entertainment Group.
His song “The One” is an award-winning song that talks about African liberation. Edem exerts a lot of energy on the African hip-hop influenced beat with his dialect Ewe, pidgin and some Jamaican influenced jargon. He features one of UK’s finest lyricists who also brings speed and delivery to bear.
JOVI: BIG VULTURE (CAMEROON)
Ndukong Godlove Nfor popularly known as “Jovi” is an emerging rap artist, sound engineer and producer from Douala in Cameroon. He gained national attention when he released his hit video, “Don 4 Kwat” in 2012. With origins in the North West province, Jovi is the first rap artiste in Cameroon to rap in Pidgin English. He has broken linguistic and cultural barriers and gained a huge following with both English and French speaking youths by fusing Pidgin English, French, and English in his music. His witty punch lines and social commentary highlight his creative artistic ability.
Jovi’s latest video, “Big Vulture” is dedicated to the 38 Cameroonian soldiers who died in the northern region while fighting for the freedom of the people. It was released in 2015 and features RCHL.
JULIANI: ONE DAY (KENYA)
Juliani Owoni is regarded as Kenya’s most popular gospel artist who is known for his prowess in hip-hop. He hit the music scene with a bang back in 2008 with the release of his album titled “Mtaa Mentality” through which he was able to win several awards both in Kenya and in the U.S including the renowned Kisima Artist of the year award.
Born and raised in Dandora suburb, Juliani was at one time a member of the group Ukoo Flani and performed with them at many clubs and local gigs, especially at the renowned Florida 2000 night club and casino before making the transition to independent musician. He was raised in a Christian home and one of his friends, referred to as Brayo of the group Warogi Wawili, who had earlier gotten saved, introduced him to Nairobi Lighthouse Church and after much soul-searching; in 2005 he got born again and his spirituality grew by the day.
His motivational song, “One Day” is sung in his native dialect, and it’s taken off his third studio album titled “Exponential Potential” One Day is full of deep, conscious and thought provoking lyrics.
MANIFEST: FORGET DEM (GHANA)
Sensational Ghanaian rapper and award-winning song-writer, Kwame Ametepee Tsikata with the stage name “Manifest” is an internationally acclaimed award-winning Hip Hop artiste known for musical boundary crossing, multilingual wordplay, and a refreshing hybrid songwriting approach that acknowledges both his Ghanaian upbringing and his sojourns in the West. Described in 2015 by the Guardian (UK) as “the foremost rapper on the continent,” Manifest’s originality and impressive lyricism have earned him collaborations with musical giants such as Tony Allen, Damon Albarn, Flea (Red hot Chili Peppers), Erykah Badu, Femi Kuti, A.B Crentsil and more.
The song, “Forget Dem” is the combination of contemporary elements such as hip-hop beats and highlife guitars with traditional sounds. The rapper easily switches from his Ghanaian Akan (or Twi) dialect, dishing out multi-lingual wordplay with rhythmic beats as he raps about staying focused and moving on.
STANLEY ENOW: KING KONG (CAMEROUN)
Stanley Enow aka Bayangi is an international urban rapper shaking the music industry in Cameroon at the moment. With his thrilling, charismatic freestyle display, Stanley Enow is regarded as a major innovator within the music scene. Often referred to as “Perfect Blender,” the Douala born artiste has immensely warmed the hearts of fans within Cameroon and beyond by perfectly mastering his English, French and Pidgin flows.
The graduate of Business Administration is the co-owner of a record label named “Motherland Empire,” and he is known for his catchy lyrics, urban afro-mixture and great performance with good flow and impeccable charisma.
The song, “King Kong “is his fourth official single. It is all about the winning state of mind, and it features Nigerian Disc Jockey, DJ Neptune, who spiced up the record with his expertise.
NG BLING: PARLE A MA MAIN (GABON)
Born to a policeman father and a hairdresser mother, Nzigou Bouassa Hans Gabriel popularly known as NG BLING is a young Gabonese rapper who hails from Libreville. Lulled by music from childhood, the young man chose rap as the music genre he is most passionate about. The francophone rapper interchangeably raps in English as well, and is described as one of the top-rated rappers in Gabon.
Influenced by famous rappers like Fabulous, Nelly, Ludacris, Fat Joe, 50 Cent and The Game, he made his first attempt at rapping in 2004 through radio freestyles.
He has been invited to perform at several major concerts like the Libreville International Moto Show with guest artistes like Chidinma, Toofan among others.
His song “Parle A Ma Main” was delivered in his native language. In the video, the rapper can be seen in the street gyrating to his lyrics, surrounded by energetic dancers.
KIFF NO BEAT: CA GATE COEUR (IVORY COAST)
Kiff No Beat is regarded by some as Cote d’Ivoire’s number one Hip Hop group. The group, made up of five members, was formed in 2009, and they started their musical journey in Abidjan. The group members are Gnahoré Okou Camille (BlackK,rap) N’wolé Brice (Elow’n, rap) and Bassa Zéréhoué Diyilem (Didi B,rap), gathered under the name KNB. Meanwhile, the duo of JEKBOYZ consists of Jonathan Charley Kouakou (Joochar, dancehall), and Franck Konan Guy Mares (El Jay, RnB.
The diversity of musical genres practiced (R & B, Ragga / Dancehall, Rap, Pop) and their elaborate choreographies are features that distinguish this group of young artistes, who are all in their twenties.
The song “Ca Gate Coeur” was released after the success of their previous song titled “TU es dans pain” or “Bebe.” “Ca Gate Coeur” is a popular saying adapted from the Ivorian slang meaning “It makes (me) mad.” The video was shot in Abidjan (Ivory Coast).