Although, it’s been a few years since much has been heard about them, names like Weird MC, Sasha P, B.O.U.Q.U.I, Blaise and Kel, hardly need introductions. Sometime around mid to late 2000s, a host of female rappers took the Nigerian scene by storm, with Weird MC and Sasha P, obviously leading the pack. They became popular for their uniqueness, not just for being women in what seemed to be a male-dominated rap music scene, but for the hard work, and sheer raw talent they left in their wake at the time. The popular ones number less than fifteen, with a select few such as Eva Alordiah, for the time being, staying relevant.
Sasha P
“[Rap] is a God-given talent. It came naturally to me. I had to learn to hone my skills and learn how to use it properly. Rap chose me,” were the words of Anthonia Yetunde Alabi, popularly known as Sasha P, in an interview with Bella Naija, in 2012.
One of Nigeria’s more recent foremost rap acts, and a multiple award-winning artiste at that, she, no doubt redefined the music industry for the female folk, and rarely missed a chance to express the goings-on in the industry, especially when it came to what it held for the female musician. Some would say she opened doors for more female music acts to find their voices and with hit singles such as Adara, Emi le Gan, Only One, among others. She also shared the stage with many big international acts during her hey days.
However, she took what seemed like a break to focus on another of her interests – fashion. She was also said to be working on a book, which was an extension of her album, Sasha Speaks, she dabbled into fragrances, but it would seem after that break, while she tried to stay around a while over a few more years, and said to have released Falling in Love in 2014, not much has been heard of her since then.
Weird MC
Now in her 40s, for Sola Idowu, popularly known as Weird MC, when she first emerged as a music artiste, there was something close to misgiving, especially as there were concerns if she was actually male or female, particularly as a result of her dressing like a man. However, after performing in a couple of events, sometimes alongside other popular music acts, the audience knew Nigeria had discovered a new talent. She thrilled with popular singles such as Allen Avenue, and Ijoya, releasing her second album After Da Storm, sometime in 2006. However, in recent years, the tomboy female star, who did some bit of politicking, hasn’t done much in terms of performances.
Also Read: I’ll remain relevant for another decade —D’banj
B.O.U.Q.U.I
“There is a sound coming from the underground… a generation rising you can hold us down… PURPOSE PRESERVES…!
The above is what reads on the official Twitter page of rap act, Bukola Folayan, popularly known as B.O.U.Q.U.I, who revolutionalised the gospel music scene. Her current location reads: Los Angeles, CA. Her hit single, Morile, was a favourite with many Nigerians, irrespective of religious affiliation. Her sense of rap was in a place of its own, as she did her thing, sometimes combining English and indigenous languages. Her signature hairstyle, something closely resembling a curly Mohawk, was another hit for many fashion enthusiasts but all that seems to have changed now. According to a couple of social media handles, she’s still quite current on some platforms, but much is heard on her comeback as a music artiste.
Blaise
There aren’t many artistes like guitar-stringing Obafunke Martins, known as Blaise, who cuts the look of a musician, who knows what she wields when it comes to talent. Starting her career with the crew, Da Trybe, she went on to become a solo act, churning out lines that gave many male rap acts a run for their talents. She earned more respect after performing alongside Orlando Julius in Osika, and actually had some level of impressive turnouts, before she gradually faded to the backgrounds.
Kel
For a music artiste that found her voice 15 years ago, Kelechi Ohia, more well known as Kel, made some level of difference over the years as a rap artiste, especially with her much loved Wa Wa Alright. She rose to fame eventually, though not without the associated hitches and earned some level of brand ambassadorship. However, when she left her record label in 2012, amidst speculations of marriage, financial difficulties, and even some sort of major comeback, not much has been heard of the South-East music diva in recent times.
While still maintaining some semblance of current profiles on their various social media platforms, beyond concerns of the truth behind the industry frustrating female music acts; the seeming disinterest on the part of the current generation for uniqueness in terms of music performances; the apparent falling standards which seems to plague, to some extent, the current music industry; the choice to leave the scene for varying concerns on the part of the female artistes themselves, the question remains: where did Nigeria’s female rappers go?
and then