A kenyan website compiled a list of top 15 African rappers and Ghana was not left out. Industry foes and currently the hottest rappers in Ghana at the moment,Sarkodie and Manifest, occupied the at 4th and 5th position respectively.

According to them, many things were taken into consideration whiles coming up with the list. They indicated that factors such as Rap skills,the rapper's overall contribution to culture were considered.

That said, below is the full list of 15 Rappers in Africa who made it ;

1. CASSPER NYOVEST 

With both albums on his catalog going Platinum, Cassper Nyovest has moved from being just a normal rapper in S.A who makes rap music, to a continental power house. His ingenuity in music and his constant feed of fresh music and hard work has well earned him this spot. You can see here for yourself.

2. AKA

It’s a tight race between AKA and Cassper. Many hip-hop heads will vouch for AKA over Cassper, but so will Cassper fans. We place AKA second not because he’s less talented lyrically, he probably is better than Cassper Nyovest, and his versatility in making huge records for Africa has been very consistent and it’s undeniable that he’s always fresh, but he ranks slightly behind Cassper because of  the impact made this year and churn of quality music and artist catalog.

3. M.I ABAGA

If this list is solely based on talent, M.I Abaga would probably rank a lot higher, praising his versatility. But this isn’t about theoretical talent. It is about the actual music you put into the world, consistently. Which is to say, M.I simply hasn’t released enough music as of late to make us remember what we like about him so much

Since releasing ‘The chairman’, his main output has been featuring for friends. All good verses but nothing too spectacular. In order to maintain your spot here, you need to release something good every once in a while. Worth noting is his ‘Illegal music III’ mixtape. With quite a handful of nominations and awards to his name M.I is definitely deserving.

4. Sarkodie

The 2012 BET winner for best International act and ranked the 19th most influential personality in Ghana clearly affirms his position in this list. The rapper who managed to get Ace hood on his record has gone to become one of the best rappers produced in Africa.

5. M.anifest

This award winning Ghanaian rapper has been for the longest time representing Ghana’s scene. His contribution to culture in Ghanaian rap has been greatly felt all across. His music mostly fuses african drums and hints of chants and hums with his very wise lyrics about African domination and current situation of the continent. He is one of the finest African rappers when it comes to lyrical dexterity.

6. Riky Rick aka King Kotini

Probably one of the most genius brains we have in Africa, Riky rick who’s not only a rapper but also the genius brain behind one of Cassper Nyovest’s music, recently released his album ‘Family values’ which was certified gold. He makes it to this list because of his persistent pronunciation of his prominence and his very talked about visuals. The rapper now known as King Kotini, is one of the main engineers of rap music culture not just in south Africa, but Africa all round.

7. PRIDDY UGLY

Priddy ugly is in my opinion one of the most underrated African acts. The rapper who 3 months ago released his mixtape YDKMY via soundcloud, who’s mostly braggadocio lyricism marries his trap influenced instrumentals, manages to climb up this high to this list because of his sense of ownership and his confidence in his music.

8. Octopizzo

‘Kibera’s finest as mostly said. Octopizzo has not only pushed boundaries for Kenyan content but for his hometown as well. The rapper who started as part of a group in Kibera called YGB (young gifted and black), prides in not only performing overseas but also having a successful album that held the number 1 position on iTunes for 2 weeks straight. Octopizzo who mostly raps in swahili, manages to cross fuse sarcasm and his life experiences in his music.

9. Nasty C

This mc from South Africa who just recently signed with South African power house Mabala noise which hosts other prominent rappers like Riky rick,is probably one of the most lethal rappers lyrically that’s a force to reckon with. The 19yr old  rapper who has already done a collaboration with some of Africa’s best like Davido and Cassper Nyovest, was the youngest to receive an award at the prestigious South African Hip hop awards. His previous announcement via his social media that Jay Z’s Roc nation Mgmt had contacted him, got many stoked.

10. Khaligraph Jones

He’s probably one of the most talked about Kenyan rapper right now. Khaligraph Jones who’s also known as ‘Papa jones’ famous for his song ‘Julius Yego’ which replicates the name of the Kenyan Javelin world champion by the same name. ‘Papa jones has not only build his name as an artist who is madly talented but has managed to become a people’s choice rapper.

11. Xtatic

First Female emcee on this list, Xtatic who’s vocal ability still amazes to this day, has managed to maintain her level of lyrical reputation. Her muffled subtle voice and her ability to talk about her life in her music lets her sit comfortably on this list.

12. Navio

The Ugandan rapper has worked with widely acclaimed artists like Rnb singer Keith Sweat and R.kelly. Though not as active, he makes it to the list because of his wide recognition all over Africa and his influence and giving life to other Ugandan hip hop artists on the come up.

13. Kwesta

Still fresh from the release of  his 3rd studio album DAKAR III. Kwesta makes it to this list because of his constant relevance and contribution in Rap. Kwesta who’s deep baritone and slow rap flow tend to hypnotize you to a world that he creates, mostly flowing in isiZulu tends to focus on wisdom and touches of brogaddocio.

14. Phyno

He has moments when he clearly just shows off how good a rapper he is and sometimes mixes it up with popular Nigerian music. When he’s making Rap music, Phyno who mostly spits with his native language, though not understandable to most-has not just energy but has lyricism. With his last album being nominated 3 times including Best rap album across various music awards, Phyno is definitely worth it on this list.

15. MMchne

3 months after releasing his introductory mixtape ‘Initial state’, MMchne earlier this month set out to embark on a project called MMchne Good Fridays which saw him release a single every Friday which sort to get him heard. He makes it to this list because of the effort he puts into his music and the urge that he has to push and make better of himself and influence culture. His music borrows from the new age hip hop hard 808’s and use of samples. He’s definitely one to watch out for this year.

By: Farida Mohammed/ghanaguardian.com