Before arriving where they are meant to be, humans may travel many different roads. This holds true in a variety of areas of life, but it is particularly true when it comes to discovering your passion and choosing a career.
You might be surprised to learn that the Nigerian superstars listed below have tried their hand at rapping.
Genevieve Nnaji
One Nollywood actress, Genevieve Nnaji, is well-known for taking up music during the now-famous period when several actors and actresses were banned from performing. The fact that Genevieve also released an album during that time called “One Logo logo Line” with a song on track 5 called “Bump It Up” that demonstrates Genevieve’s rapper side is something that many people are unaware of because they only know of her renowned “No More” song. On that track, Genevieve rapped, and it continues to be one of the album’s standout songs.
Jim Iyke
We were all present when Nollywood actor Jim Iyke made the decision to become a rapper. Jim is currently laughing about it as well. It was met with harsh criticism and much mockery of the performer. Jim Iyke said the following when discussing his time as a rapper:
I jumped into music and you know what? That was a humbling experience. Cuz at the end of the day I discovered that I was probably the worst rapper ever. But I enjoyed the experience.
Frank Edoho
Currently, Frank Edoho is well-known for serving as the “Who wants to be a millionaire” show’s host. But few are aware that before beginning the career he has today, he was a rapper first. Frank Edoho talked about his experience as a rapper and the reasons he stopped:
Back then, I was well-known as MC Frank during my years at the University of Calabar. I’m a hip-hop head because I used to listen to a lot of rap music. One day, in school, I did a rap to an instrument that was playing during a show I was anchoring on campus. I was like ‘Hey, I can flow on the beat’ and the audience said, ‘I can’t’. So, the DJ hit the instrument and I started freestyling until the crowd started shouting. I thought the shouting was to tell me that I was doing badly – I didn’t know it was an ovation. So after the show, I felt I should maximize the skill but there was no money in rap back then, and that was how I abandoned it.
Lasisi Elenu
Another popular name who you may not know started out as a rapper is comedian and skit maker, Lasisi Elenu. Speaking about his time as a rapper, Lasisi said:
Before this, I used to do music and I put out songs but what I did then was I’d sit down in my car and I’d record myself rapping to instrumental. I’d just download any form of instrumental and I’d rap to it. I got comments, maybe 4, 5, 6 as the case may be. I was also consistent in doing that but it took me nowhere.
Basket Mouth
Basketmouth, a comedian from Nigeria, has been frank about his past as a failed rapper. Basketmouth had intended to become a successful rapper before turning to comedy, but sadly, that goal was not realized. When discussing his failure as a rapper, Basketmouth said:
I’m a failed rapper. Yes, I failed as a rapper. But I didn’t fail because it was a case of [not delivering]. On stage, I was funny, but all my friends were funny so I didn’t know it was a gift. I thought it was a normal thing. I was pushing rap; trying to make music but what I was doing then was blending Afrobeat with a hip hop vibe. It was a bit too ahead of my time. People didn’t get it. We struggled, so I’ll say we failed at doing something new
