Who are the best rappers in Africa? Here’s a comprehensive list of the top 10 great African rappers in 2023.
In this comprehensive write-up, we will be bringing to you the best rappers in Africa are a list of the top 10 best in the African continent.
Hip-hop in Africa has gained global recognition now more than ever before. Some of the best rappers in Africa are also global icons. Whether you are a fan of rap music or not, you will definitely fall in love with a punchline at a point in time.
Rap music is so full of controversies and competition so much that every artiste in the genre will tell you he/she is the best.
In this article, we will be bringing to you the best rappers in Africa and the list of top 10 rappers as well
Top 10 Best Rappers In Africa
1. Sarkodie (Ghana)
Who is the best rapper in Africa? Ghanaian rapper and Hip-Hop recording artist Sarkodie is currently Africa’s best rapper. He doubles as the richest and overall best artist in Ghana today.
Micheal Owusu Addo known by the stage name Sarkodie is a Ghanaian rapper who has been in the music world for over a decade now, he graduated with a degree as a Graphic Designer.
He is one of the most celebrated Ghanaian music artists. Sarkodie came to the limelight and fame with the release of his first single, titled “Baby”.
Outside of music, Sarkodie is the owner of a clothing line named ‘Sark by Yas’. Sarkodie has been nominated for and has won several music awards among which is the BET Awards for Best International Act: Africa. Sarkodie is a great artist who has upped his game seeing him perform alongside international artists outside Ghana such as Miguel, Movado, Trey Songz, and Ludacris.
2. Nasty C (South Africa)
Undoubtedly and unarguably, the young talented rapper is the rave of the moment in South Africa and across Africa. Nasty C hails from South Africa and he is a rapper, a songwriter, and a record producer currently regarded as one of the best rappers in Africa.
He is popular and well known for the single hit song “Way it Goes”. Nasty C was the youngest rapper to receive an award (the Best Freshman Award) at the 2015 South African Hip Hop Awards.
In addition to his music thrills, with hit singles like ‘Said’ among other hit songs, the released second studio album titled Strings & Bling, Nasty is regarded as the best rapper in Africa.
He has been consistent in his performance, dishing out his best to win the heart of his fans and indeed it has gotten him a lot of love and many international approvals.
3. M.I. Abaga (Nigeria)
Third, on the list of best rappers in Africa is M.I (Mr. Incredible) Abaga dubbed the “Nigerian King of Rap” came to stardom in 2006 and he is notable for many hit songs including his debut album “Talk about it” (2008).
He is one of the most successful rappers to grace the African continent and he’s one time King of rap in Nigeria and Africa. He has previously been ranked the best African rapper on several occasions.
The Nigerian hip-hop act has dropped several projects including King James, Show Me, Your Father, You Rappers Should Fix Up Your Lives, Acho Mi’Ya, and Everything I Have Seen.M.I have a handful of award which includes Best Hip Hop and Best New Act at the MTV Africa Music Awards. He has toured Europe, America, and many countries in Africa.
4. Manifest (Ghana)
M.Anifest is among the best rappers in Africa. This talented rapper is a hot sought-after in the country and has gradually made his mark outside Ghana into other parts of the African continent. He is a rapper, singer, and songwriter who came into the game in 2017 and since then has been in the spotlight.
5. Khaligraph Jones (Kenya)
Khaligraph Jones is the stage name of Brian Robert Ouko. The 32 years old is vastly known for his hip-hop and rap music genres.
Khali graph became famous in the music industry in 2013 and since then he has been the fan favorite, dishing the best from what he’s made of. He was awarded the Best Rap Act at the African Muzik Magazine Awards (AFRIMMA).
His notable and best songs include Dedication, Ma Name Cash, Mariga Money, One Two Three, The Anthem, Yego, Faslane, and Tattoo Kwa Thigh among others.
6. Cassper Nyovest (South Africa)
Sixth on our list is Refiloe Maele Phoolo, another talented South African-born rapper popularly known as Cassper Nyvoest. He rose to stardom and came to the music limelight through the release of his debut album on July 18, 2014, titled Tsholofelo and he has since up his game, winning the heart of many fans across Africa.
Nyovest has been nominated for and won many awards including the award of the best South African MC by MTVBase, Best New Comer, Album of the Year, Best Music Video, and Best Single. He further released different debut albums.
7. Stogie T (Tanzanian)
Tumi Molekane, populalry knwon in the showbiz as Stogie T, is a Tanzanian-born South African rapper and poet. He was the lead vocalist of Tumi and the Volume, which was officially disbanded in 2012. In 2016 Tumi relaunched himself as Stogie T and released an eponymous album titled ‘Stogie T’ which featured Da L.E.S, Lastee, Emtee, Nasty C, Nadia Nakai & Yanga.
Stogie T has worked hard for his name to be included in the list of best African rappers today.
8. Aka (South Africa)
The South African rapper whose full name is Kiernan Jarry Forbes is number stage name AKA is the sixth on our list. His song “Victory Lap” brought him to the limelight and rose him to stardom in 2011winning Channel O’s Most Gifted Hip-Hop Video at the 7th annual Channel O Music Video Awards.
Some of his hit musical singles include The Saga, All Eyes on Me, Baddest, Sim Dope, and P.A.I.D. He is a popular music artist within and outside the shore of South Africa. His rhythmic rap style has made him win the heart of thousands.
AKA has been decorated with several musical awards among which are acknowledged best “Male Artist of the Year” and “Best Street Urban Music Album” at the 18th South African Music Awards (SAMA). One of the many reasons the rapper made this list of best rappers in Africa, is his collaboration with international artists including Kanye West, Snoop Dogg, and Rick Ross among others.
9. A-Reece (South Africa)
Lehlogonolo Ronald Mataboge, known professionally as A-Reece, is a South African rapper, songwriter, and record producer. He was raised in Pretoria, Gauteng. A-Reece is considered to be one of the most successful lyrical rappers in Africa.
10. Falz (Nigeria)
Third, on our list is the “Falz the Baddest”. He is a hip-hop artist loved for his unique style of rap. One of his popular songs that were heavily criticized “This is Nigeria” (a remix of Childish Gambino’s “This Is America”) because of some sensitive content according to critics. Nevertheless, most of Falz ’s songs were released and these songs are still hitting the air roof.
Summary of the top 10 best rappers in Africa
Below is a complete list of the African best rappers in 2023,
- Sarkodie (Ghana).
- Nasty C (South Africa)
- M.I. Abaga (Nigeria)
- Manifest (Ghana)
- Khaligraph Jones (Kenya)
- Cassper Nyovest (South Africa)
- Stogie T (Tanzanian)
- Aka (South Africa)
- A-Reece (South Africa)
- Falz (Nigeria)
Top 25 best rappers in Africa
- Sarkodie (Ghana).
- Nasty C (South Africa)
- M.I. Abaga (Nigeria)
- Manifest (Ghana)
- Khaligraph Jones (Kenya)
- Cassper Nyovest (South Africa)
- Stogie T (Tanzanian)
- Aka (South Africa)
- A-Reece (South Africa)
- Falz (Nigeria)
- Ladipoe – Nigeria.
- Kwesta – South Africa 1
- Kwesi Arthur – Ghana.
- Blaqbonez – Nigeria.
- Medikal – Ghana.
- Olamide (Nigeria)
- Yanga Chief – South Africa.
- Jovi – Cameroon.
- Sho Madjozi – South Africa.
- Erigga – Nigeria.
- Shane Eagle – South Africa.
- Vector – Nigeria.
- AQ – Nigeria.
- Sinzu – Nigeria.
- Eno Barony