From The Bronx to Lagos: A tribute to 50 Years of Hip-Hop and Chocolate City’s Legacy
Is Hip-hop truly dead in Nigeria? To make or believe such a claim, one must have dwelled under a stone on faraway Pluto for at least the last five years because in all it’s 50 glorious years, hip-hop has never sounded as captivating as it does now. To grasp its journey in Nigeria, let’s go back to the beginning, to when it all started.
Walk with me.
ORIGINS
The Bronx, New York birthed hip-hop in the 1970s and due to it’s refreshing style and unique nature, it evolved so rapidly that within a decade, it became a movement, a culture in its own right. Like wildfire, it spread throughout New York, across the United States, and soon after, across the world, all the way to Africa. By 1980, hip-hop crossed Nigeria’s borders, thanks to Ibrahim Salim Omari, a Nigerian member of the Sugar Hill Gang. While in the country, Omari released the very first rap single in Nigeria, which he titled “I am an African.” Thus, hip-hop music, became ours to know and to love passionately and wholly.
Chocolate City
Chocolate City Music is regarded as one of the most successful Nigerian record labels to have ever existed and one of the biggest powerhouses for hip-hop in the whole of Africa. With every release from their impressive artist lineup, they have continually proven their deserving high rankings. Founded in 2005 by lawyer Audu Maikori, along with Paul Okeugo and Yahaya Maikori, the label is home to recording artists such as Femi Kuti, Blaqbonez, Young Jonn, Noon Dave, Candy Bleakz, Tar1Q, Major AJ. Artists formerly signed to the label include Ckay, M.I Abaga, Dice Ailes, Victoria Kimani, Ice Prince, DJ Caise, DJ Lambo, Jeremiah Gyang, Ruby Gyang, Pryse, Brymo, Koker, and Jesse Jagz.
In fact, you must forgive me. Describing Chocolate City’s artist lineup as ‘impressive’ is an understatement and an error on my part for it has produced some of the best artists in Nigeria and boasts artists that are acknowledged as hip-hop legends across the world!
Chocolate City Cypher
On January 8, 2024, Chocolate City Music dropped a nine-minute cypher featuring Blaqbonez, A-Q, Ice Prince, Jesse Jagz, and Loose Kaynon. Released to honor 50 years of hip-hop and nearly two decades of Chocolate City’s existence, the cypher is more than just music; it’s an experience.
Listen! I’m talking about a solid beat, both soothing and exhilarating. I’m talking about artfully woven lyrics that demand intent listening and are punctuated by hard hitting punchlines delivered with finesse. I’m talking about an exquisite rap song that has you nodding and smiling gleefully throughout as you patiently wait to hear it all again. Of course it’s on repeat, one listen just won’t suffice.This is hip-hop at its zenith—living, breathing, and utterly remarkable.
With music, listening is believing, so there’s only one way to truly grasp these statements. You know what to do.
