If you’ve been tracking the roots of hip-hop growth in West Africa, then you would have noticed that there was a rich community for the music genre in Northern Nigeria and the nation’s music hotspot, Lagos. There was also a huge influence of university graduates and undergraduates making their way into the hip-hop scene. One of the famous legends of the late 90s was the group called Trybesmen.
Plantashun Boiz
Plantashun Boiz
Before Trybesmen, there was another stunning group Plantashun Boiz comprising Blackface, Tuface and Faze. Formed by Blackface, the group became popular for hits such as “You and 1,” “Don’t You Know,” and “Knock me Off.” The underrated Blackface was the rapper of the lot and could have had a successful solo career as a rapper if his energy were channelled into more potential hits than the heat he had been turning up on the allegations of copyright infringement on his music associates. He could have also focused more on music production and talent hunt but then, he was overshadowed by peer popularity.
After the Plantashun Boiz split up in 2004, Blackface pursued a solo career, releasing the hip-hop album Ghetto Child in May 2004 collaborating with several artists. The album had the hit “Hard Life” featuring Alabai as the first single. He also recorded a full album for his crew D Tribunal called What We Are.
Trybesmen
Moving forward and taking after the trio pattern of Remedies, Trybesmen launched out with three original members, namely eLDee, Kaboom and Freestyle. eLDee, born Lanre Dabiri, founded the group and adapted Afrobeat sounds to hip-hop to create a genre then classified as Afropop.
The trio had at first been friends who met in 1994 in Lagos. Back then, University of Lagos also known by the acronym UNILAG was, perhaps still is, a breeding ground for many up and coming artists who were keen on experimenting with music styles and genres. eLDee, who was born in Kaduna was at first a producer but his meeting with the other members of the group brought a new spark that would raise the roofs in clubs and parties.
Their first album, L.A.G Style Volume 1, was released in 1999. Their hits included “Trybal Marks” and “Shake Bodi.” After Remedies’ Shakomo, “Shake Bodi” did what MC Hammer did to hip-hop, making it party worthy. Blending English and Pidgin English, the rather cheeky song preempts that the song may not be popular but the beat is certainly irresistible, or better still, dance provocative. The hook rendered in pidgin meant just about the same:
Whether you like am/ Whether you no like am (2x)
The thing be sey you go still dey shake bodi.
Two members, eLDee and Freestyle, recorded solo albums after the group broke up.
Ruggedman
A graduate of political science from Lagos State University, Ọ̀jọ́, Ruggedman started burst into the music scene in 1999. Born Michael Ugochukwu Stephens, he hails from Ohafia, Abia State. Ruggedman is yet another lyricist whose enunciation constitutes a vocal triumph over existing rappers in Africa. Incidentally, he is 50 years old this year just as hip-hop.
This phenomenal rapper had an intimidating stance on the scene. He was self-assured and this reflects in his lyrics and articulation. He produced his own songs and released two tracks in 1999, both which were well-played on radio. Ruggedman launched himself into the music industry in 1999, eventually becoming the most featured rapper in Nigeria.
His albums are all released on his personal label, Rugged Records. His song “Ehen” was a smash hit and a first major diss track in African hip-hop. OAPs were crazy about the song, especially Femi Aderibigbe aka Kwame who was then hosting a music show on Star FM, a Lagos-based radio station. It provoked conversations about the quality of rap music made by Nigerian rappers and necessitated an intense but healthy competition in the scene.
Ruggedman would later have beef with Mode9. The latter is a stickler for hardcore hip-hop while Ruggedman was willing to make dance tracks and commercial tracks. With the singer 9ice, he was able to release “RuggedyBaba” which was a rare blend of traditional folk song and hip-hop. The song released in 2007 on the album with the same title enjoyed massive airplay. It was the second album by Ruggedman and positioned him in mainstream popularity using the power of relatable styles and innovative video.
Ruggedman performed worldwide alongside international acts such as Sean Paul, Wyclef Jean, Akon, Maxi Priest, Kanye West, LL Cool J, T-Pain, and Nas.
His record label, Rugged Records, signed its first act, singer MBRYO, in September 2012. MBRYO was featured on Ruggedman’s “Ruggedy Baba pt 2″, produced by Blaize Beatz. Money Making Music, Ruggedman’s 2012 album, is a collaboration with MBRYO as part of a promotion for the new artist, with guest appearances by Terry G and Funbi.
