<b>1. MI ABAGA</b>
Jude Abaga (born 4 October 1981) better known by stage name 'M.I' or
'M.I Abaga', is a Nigerian hip hop recording artist and the current
CEO of the Chocolate City. He has won several awards including the MTV
Africa Music Awards 2009. He was nominated in the Best International
Act category at the BET Awards 2010. He rose to prominence in 2006
when his song "Crowd Mentality" became popular in his hometown of Jos.
On 11 December 2008, M.I
released his critically acclaimed debut album, Talk About It.
The album was then followed by
M.I 2 (2010) and later The Chairman (2014). Which were both released
to wide and critical acclaim.
M.I's role in the music industry cannot be overstated. He has been
responsible for bringing out many upcoming artistes such as
Wizkid, Vypa, Jesse Jagz, Ruby, Pype, Ice Prince and the latest is Brymo.
He has been described by many Nigerian hip hop fans as Nigeria's
"Hip Hop Messiah". MI has done a lot to bring a Northern presence to
the Nigerian music industry, he depicts the perfect example of
bringing Nigeria together. His music is conscious; therefore he is a
leader in many ways to the youth of Nigeria. He is the founder
of Loopy Records, and he is signed to Chocolate City. M.I produces
with Chocolate City, and has produced albums and songs for his label
mates. The most notable of these
being in 2011 when he produced two songs off Ice Prince's album
Everybody Loves Ice Prince
2. ICE PRINCE
Panshak Zamani (born 23 October 1986), better known by his stage name
Ice Prince, is a Nigerian hip hop recording artist and actor. He
rose to fame after releasing "Oleku", one of Nigeria's most remixed
songs of all time. He
won the 2009 Hennessy Artistry Club Tour. His achievements include one
BET Award, one Ghana Music Award, three The Headies Awards, two
Nigeria Entertainment Awards and two Channel O Music Video Awards .
Ice Prince is currently signed to Chocolate City. His debut studio
album, Everybody Loves Ice Prince, was released in 2011. It was
supported by the singles "Oleku", "Superstar", "Juju" and "Magician".
In 2013, Ice Prince released Fire of Zamani as his second studio
album. The album contained the singles "Aboki ", "More", "Gimme Dat"
and "I Swear". On 1 July 2015, Ice Prince was announced as the new
Vice Chairman of Chocolate City
3. DI'JA
The only female on the list, Hadiza Blell, better known by her stage
name Di'Ja, is a Nigerian singer, visual artist, fashion designer and
songwriter born in 1982. She is currently signed to Mavin Records. In
2009, she released her first single "Rock Steady" which was
nominated for Best Urban/R&B Single at the 2009 Canadian Radio Music
Awards. Moreover, she won the Best New Artist award at the 2008 Beat
Music Awards
Di'Ja has lived in Nigeria, Sierra Leone, the United States and
Canada. Her mother is from Northern Nigeria while her father is from
Sierra Leone. At a young age, Di'Ja committed herself
to academia and earned a double degree in Biology and Psychology.
After earning the aforementioned degrees, Di'Ja became passionate
about music, art and philosophy.
Di'Ja released several singles including "Dan'Iska(Rudebwoy)", "Hold
On (Ba Damuwa)" and "How Can We Be Friends".[5] On February 14, 2014,
Don Jazzy announced the addition of Di'Ja to Mavin Records.[3] Her
first official single under Mavin Records was also released on
February 14, 2014. The song,which is titled "Yaro", is an up-tempo
celebration of love and commitment against all
odds. It infuses Hausa and Krio dialects in honour of her Nigerian and
Sierra Leonean roots
4. JESSE JAGZ
Jesse Garba Abaga (born 10 August 1984), popularly known as Jesse
Jagz, is a Nigerian hip hop recording artist. In April 2015, he re-
signed with Chocolate City after leaving the label in May 2012 to
establish his own imprint known as Jagz Nation Jesse Jagz (Jesse Garba
Abaga) has been described as Nigeria's Kanye West because of
his flirtatious experimentation with different genres of music from
R&B to roots reggae to pop all built on a predominantly hip hop
foundation. Though a native of Jukun in Taraba State, Nigeria Jesse
grew up in Jos,
Plateau state in a music-filled environment where both parents
(clergy) gave him access to the church choir and drums set by age 7 He
released his debut album, "Jag of all tradez" in 2010 to critical
acclaim. He was notably absent from the music scene in 2011 and
2012, returning in 2013 with a reggae infused style. He released the
singles "Murder them"
and "Redemption" in the 1st half of 2013 after parting ways with
Chocolate City Music.
The singles were released under his new imprint, Jagz Nation. In June
2013,Jesse Jagz left
Chocolate City and released his second album (his first as an
Independent artist) "Jagz Nation
Vol 1; Thy Nation Come ". With him rapping, Singing and handling most
of the production on his first album, Jesse Jagz chose to seek the
help of other producers such as Samklef, Shady and KidKonnect on his
second album instead.
The album features the likes of Brymo and Wizkid on it. On the 8th of
April 2015, he returned to
Chocolate City and renewed his contract.
5. SOLOMON LANGE
Solomon Lange is a gospel artiste, songwriter, passionate and anointed
minister of the gospel. Born and raised in Kaduna State,
Nigeria, he started singing at age 9 in his local village Baptist
Church choir but came into music professionally in 1997 when he joined
a group called Kale Visions in Kaduna.
His musical influences include R.Kelly, The Winans, Panam Percy Paul,
Mamman Shata and
many more.
Lange has shared stage with artistes like Donnie McClurkin, Ron
Kenoly, Lenny Leblank, Judy Jacobs, Micah Stampley, Panam Percy Paul,
AsuEkiye, Samsong, Sammie Okposo and many more.
His debut album titled Na gode was released in August 2008. The song
"Na gode" became an
instant hit in northern Nigeria and beyond. He enjoys meditation,
singing, reading and
writing.
Solomon Lange is back with a new single titled"ALHERI"to introduce his
forthcoming sophomore album. Gospel rap artist BOUQUI is featured on
this track.
6. SANI DANJA
Sani Musa Danja, is a Nigerian recording artist,songwriter, actor,
dancer, movie producer,director and entrepreneur, better known by
his stage name Sani Danja.
Born in Fagge Local Government Area of Kano state, Sani is one of
the most celebrated all round entertainers to ever emerge from
northern Nigeria He is currently the UN Peace Ambassador,
Rotary International Ambassador, Save the Children Ambassador, Rhythm
N' Play Ambassador, Globacom Ambassador and
National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) Ambassodor
7. MORREL
Morell became popular after he released his single 'antisocial' ft
Olamide. Born in Bauchi state but an Indigine of Borno. He raps and
Sings and has done collaborations with Naeto C, Ruggedman, Jesse Jagz,
Ice Prince, Terry The
Rap Man, OD, Ain Mosini, Vector, Godwon, B.O.C and Pherowshuz backed
with performances
alongside international stars, Sean Kingston and Kanye West.
A graduate of University of
Maiduguri, He is currently signed to Bento records. Some of his recent
works include: 'ganga da garaya' 'Borno' and 'wazobia' ft Reminisce
and Phyno.
8. CLASSIQ
Classiq is an indigine of Bauchi State, and a graduate of BUK. His
unique style of rap has been gaining the attention of Hip hop heads
all over the country. He raps fluently in hausa,impecably in English
and superbly in pidjin all
of which he combines on his verses.
His Mixtape 'sarki' is seriously d0pe with hot tracks like 'duniya' ft
Ruby, 'duniya remix' ft Jesse
Jagz, 'kakaraka' 'sarki' 'magana', 'danburo uba shege' etc. He was
featured by Vector on the remix of Kingkong alongside Phyno,Reminisce
and Uzi and many agree that his verse was the illest.
He's currently signed to Finesse entertainment. Probably the best
indigenous rapper in Naija, Olamide and Phyno are good but man,
Classiq is better. When
Olamide and Phyno switch to English in their verses, they usually
sound mediocre, but Classiq is awesome in any language.
9. B.O.C MADAKI
Luka Bulus Madaki A.K.A BOC, is a talented Hip-hop rapper who hails
from Bauchi state, Nigeria, a state located within the Northern part
of the country. BOC is presently chasing his music career in JOS, the
home of entertainment, plateau state, Nigeria because his kind of
music and style is highly appreciated by people over
there. This dude specializes in real hip-hop as well as the Arewa
music pattern; a style of music which uses Hausa to portray and
express ideas or thoughts.
He is presently getting the recognition and appeal of people in the
middle belt as well as other states which includes; Lagos, Bauchi, the
federal capital,
Abuja and many other states. His style of music is appreciated in
those places because of his
unique music pattern.
He recently released a new hit single mixtape, titled "No English".
Where he features the likes
of Morell, Lemuel Knight etc.
This mixtape depicts the story of how some corrupt leaders
address and run the affaires of their territory or status as well as
how the poor and the less
privilege in the society or state struggle to end a living. When you
get to listen to B.O.C, then
you will understand what I am trying to point out, you won't be
disappointed, I bet you,
B.O.C is Hip-hop for those who understand what I meant. This dude is
the real deal
10. KHEENGZ
Here is another very talented rapper from arewa. He hails from Naija
state and is a graduate of ABU Zaria. One of the pioneers of
dope hausa rap with his silky smooth vocal texture, interesting lyrics
and technique.
Kheengz was known in some quaters of the north before Classiq broke
out, He featured M.I
on the track jealous' and Erigga on 'high school remix' He also did a
cover of Dija's track 'yaro' naming his 'Haba'. Kheengz dropped his
'college kid mixtape' CKMT in 2013 with some of the illest rap tracks
around. Some of his hottest tracks include 'balling' 'run arewa'
'wasila' '48' 'Yara' 'I believe' etc. Word on the streets is that he
will soon be dropping his EP.
