29 Best African Rappers

King Kotini

King Kotini, also known as Riky Rick, was a famous South African rapper and fashion Icon.

He was one of the genius brains in the South African rap industry and aided many talents, including Cassper Nyovest. Upon releasing his album, Family Values, RiSA certified it Gold, garnering him much fame.

He also released “Sidlukotini” in 2016, which quickly became a fan favorite.

Although he died in 2022, King Kotini will forever be remembered as an iconic African rapper.

Falz

Born Folarin Falana, popularly known as Falz, is a Nigerian rapper and actor. He began making music in high school after founding a group called The School Boys.

In 2009, Falz rose to fame after releasing his famous “Marry Me” song featuring iconic musicians Yemi Alade and Ladipoe.

Falz released “Wahz Up Guy” in 2011 and other songs that cemented his position in the music industry in Nigeria.

He also released songs such as “Ello Bae” in 2015 that garnered him a nomination for the Best Street Hop Artiste of the Year.

Falz gained his eureka moment after emulating “This is America” by Childish Gambino, making “This is Nigeria” in 2018 that highlighted Nigerian issues promoting activism. 

Vector

Olanrewaju Ogunmefun, popularly known as Vector, is a recording artist, rapper, and stage performer from Nigeria.

Signing with YSG entertainment, the talented rapper rose to fame after releasing his famous album State of Surprise. It bore great tracks, including “Kilode,” “Mary Jane,” and “Get Down” in collaboration with 2Face Idibia.

The collaboration garnered him a Best Mainstream Hip Hop Video nomination at the 2011 Nigerian Music Video Awards.

Today, Vector is one of Africa’s most influential and greatest Nigerian rappers.

ProVerb

Born Tebogo Sidney Thapelo Thekisho, ProVerb is a South African rapper, television, radio personality, and record producer.

His rapping career began after releasing his first album in 2005, Book of Proverb. Since then, ProVerb has contributed significantly to South African Music through Mzansi music.

To date, Book of ProVerb remains one of his best-selling albums. He is also an accomplished TV and radio personality and is well known for co-hosting Idols SA season 6.

Some of his best tracks include “Proverbs Manifest,” featuring M.anifest.

Obrafour

Born in 1976, Michael Elliot Kwabena Okyere Darko, famously regarded as Obrafour, is a Ghanaian rapper and musician.

He is an extraordinary African rapper due to his unique rap style that incorporates lots of storytelling and Twi rapping.

His most notable albums include Pae Mu Ka, Still Strong, and Love Anthem, released in 1999 and 2018.

Obrafour is a recipient of three Ghana Music Awards, including Rapper of the Year, New Artiste of the Year, and “Pae Mu Ka,” awarding him a Hiplife song of the Year award.

Kwesi Arthur

Kwesi Arthur is another Ghanaian artiste popularly known for his impeccable rapping style. Born as Emmanuel Kwesi Danso Arthur Junior, Arthur reached fame in 2017 after releasing his hit song, “Grind Day.”

The rapper’s songs follow the Afro beats and Hip Hop genres. He has received several awards, including a Hip Hop Song of the year award at the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards.

He has collaborated with other notable artists, including Joeboy, in his track “Baajo,” Mr. Eazi, Nasty C, Shatta Wale, and Sarkodie.

Arthur is one of the most successful rappers in Ghana. 

M.I Abaga

The former CEO of Chocolate City record label, M.I Abaga, is a well-known Nigerian record producer and rapper. His official name is Jude Lemfani Abaga, and he was born in 1981.

He became famous after releasing the “Crowd Mentality” song in 2006, which emulated famous rappers’ styles, including Kanye West and Jay-Z.

In 2008 he released his breakthrough album, Talk About It, which won him the Best Hip Hop Artist and Musician of the Year at the Modemen Awards 2008.

Abaga is also a 2009 Best Hip-Hop MTV Africa Music Awards recipient illustrating how great he is at his craft.

As a record producer, M.I Abaga produced some of his label mates’ albums during his time at Chocolate City. A notable album entails Ice Prince’s Everybody Loves Ice Prince. For 13 years at the label, he made sure to make a difference.

Cassper Nyovest

Another South African artist making headlines in Africa is Refiloe Maele Phoolo, professionally known by his stage name, Cassper Nyovest.

Nyovest is not just a rapper but a record producer, boxer, and entrepreneur. Born and raised in South Africa, Cassper began his music with his former hip-hop group Childhood Gangsta in 2004.

Years later, in 2013, he started his solo career by releasing his first song, “Gusheshe,” which has over 1.4 million views on YouTube. His other notable works include “Doc Shebeleza,” which garnered Cassper positive remarks and popularity.

He has continued to consistently put out great music that reverberates with lots of fans, making him one of the best rappers in Africa.

Reggie Rockstone

Ending this list is Reggie Rockstone, the English-born Ghanaian rapper.

Having remained active from 1990 to 2023, Reggie Rockstone, born Reginald Yaw Asante Ossei, has lived continuously in Ghana since pioneering the Hip-life movement.

Rockstone rap style incorporates the Akan language precisely, mixing Asante Twi and English in his lyrics.

He first rose to fame as a dancer in the 80s. However, rapping in Akan allowed him to release great classics, including “Sweetie Sweetie” and “Nightlife in Accra” from his first album Makaa! Maka! In 1997.

Rockstone is a Kora Award recipient for the Best African Video he released with Shaggy. He is also known for the “Chukku Chakka” track featuring famous Jamaican singer Beenie Man.

Whether or not you understand some of the languages in his music, Rockstone’s music is fantastic.

Top African Rappers, Final Thoughts

Rap has existed in Africa for decades since the 80s. It is more than adding a verse to a song; it is an art that has kept evolving over the decades and is noticeable in every generation of artists.

Africa is prosperous with rappers from the early twenties to late 50s and from different countries. Despite rapping in their own cultural languages or English, the best African rappers are making waves in their home countries and beyond their borders.