All year long the PAM team is curating our Pan African Rap playlist, searching for the new hits and sounds that are pushing the boundaries of the world\u2019s biggest genre. Whether it\u2019s the drill waves from Kumasi to Kenya, the traditional mixes of mbalax or the captivating melodies of mahraganat, we try to gather the widest selection possible for a snapshot of Africa\u2019s many rap movements. While our playlist is updated weekly with the latest sounds, our quarterly Pan African Rap selection is meant to show the best of the visual and sonic work from across the continent. With that, enjoy our selection of the 10 best Pan African Rap tracks of 2023 so far.<\/p>\n
Odumdublvck \u2013 Declan Rice
\nNigeria<\/p>\n
Odumodublvck, longtime member of rap collective Anti World Gangstars and recent Native Records signee has been in the game for years but is recently making a breakout with a string of catchy singles that perfectly mix rap and afrobeats. Starting with the 2022 \u201cPicanto\u201d featuring Ecko Miles and Zlatan the Abuja native followed it up with this \u201cviral video\u201d (written humbly in the title) for \u201cDeclan Rice\u201d, a reference to the West Ham English footballer. \u201cDeclan Rice\u201d is a switch-up from Odumodublvck\u2019s usual grimey-drill for a softer side that matches the energy of the many shoutouts throughout the track from Teezee to Trillo. Racking up hype, clout and streams in a short period of newfound fame, Odumodublvck is one to watch, and \u201cDeclan Rice\u201d the latest Nigerian hit of 2023.<\/p>\n
Tripa Gninnin
\nIvory Coast<\/p>\n
Ivorian rapper Tripa Gninnin has been relentlessly making his mark. In a recent interview with Ivorian rap godfather Didi B, he told us, when asking about the new up-and-comers, \u201cSurveillez Tripa [Gninnin], mais on ne peut m\u00eame plus le surveiller, c\u2019est fini.\u201d (Watch Tripa [Gninnin], but we can\u2019t even watch him anymore, it\u2019s over.). No longer the new kid on the block, Tripa is dropping hits with ease. This last track \u201cGros Coeur\u201d (Big Heart) directed by another Ivorian rap killer Young Nouchi, shows Tripa at his best, with confident flows and \u201csans stress\u201d (without stress).<\/p>\n
MC Yallah
\nUganda<\/p>\n
Kenyan born Ugandan raised rapper MC Yallah, real name Yalah Gaudencia Mbidde, has one of the most rapid-fire flows on the continent. A longtime member of Nyege Nyege Collective and part of the East African rap scene since 1999, MC Yallah\u2019s live performances, both in-person and online, have made rounds online consisting of fearsome energy, one-shot takes and relentless beats that are once again on display with \u201cSikwebela\u201d. Working again with longtime collaborator, the wicked and wild French-Berlin producer, Debmaster, \u201cSikwebela \u201d comes ahead of the album YALLA BEIBE dropping April 14th. The relentless bars switching between Luganda, Luo, Kiswahili and English look easy when MC Yallah has the mic. It\u2019s a follow-up to 2019\u2019s Kubali that doesn\u2019t disappoint and an appropriate teaser for what\u2019s to come. In terms of African rap, and rap around the world, there\u2019s nobody quite like MC Yallah.<\/p>\n
S\u00e9ketxe
\nAngola<\/p>\n
Angolan rap troupe S\u00c9KETXE are some of the grittiest and energetic voices in the game right now. This latest single, \u201cTROPA DA MAYKA\u201d featuring RASGADO and MURTALHA cements that position, led by frontman Talhuda whose delivery is totally captivating. Not much is known about the group online. But you can look to past singles and music videos like \u201cFAZ UM CORO\u201d or \u201cBOLOCO\u201d to get a sense of the hardcore, ghetto universe the group is creating. Consisting of six members: Talhuda, Layfado, Banzela, Djamba, Kokaina preta 12 furos and Rasgado, the group says their mission is to be \u201cambassadors of oppressed peoples who seek a motivation to live\u201d. Originally a street kuduro outfit, their new style they call \u201cRAP CIA\u201d, which is meant to capture the experience of the ghettos in Luanda, is a potent mix of bars and beats.<\/p>\n
Karabilik beatz
\nSenegal<\/p>\n
Senegalese rapper Karabilik beatz teams up with Bilou XIV, Dip Doundou Guiss & Samba Peuzzi for a massive bop off his album General Kara. Written and produced by Karabilik beatz himself the producer-rapper holds his own on a track with Senegal\u2019s rap star Samba Peuzzi. With choreography from Simpetin, BM Boy & Young Lex Crew, the four rappers cruise around \u201cdelivering\u201d packages and busting moves to the steady beat featuring the mbalax rhythm.<\/p>\n
Kofi Mole
\nGhana<\/p>\n
Ghanaian rapper from the Abuakwa township of Kumasi, Kofi Mole, is a fresh blend of Slime Language inspired vocals in English and Twi, and a surprising mix of bouncy trap and smooth highlife. For a city that\u2019s been championing the drill phenomenon, Kofi Mole\u2019s \u201cWin\u201d, featuring Ghanaian rap superstar Kwesi Arthur, just after their 2022 track \u201cNirvana\u201d, looks towards Atlanta over Detroit for rap inspiration. Both hailing from Kumasi and natural go-getters (Kofi grinding in the famous kanatamo market in his youth) Kofi says of his city, \u201ceverybody\u2019s parent is a hustler and every other kid is talented.\u201d In the clip that racked up over 75k views in just 5 days, Kofi raps about his \u201cghetto boy story\u201d and making it to the top. In an interview with PAM for his last album Knackaveli Kofi told us, \u201cI try as much as possible to be different all the time. Experimenting new things. I don\u2019t limit myself to a particular type of genre.\u201d It\u2019s this individuality that makes Kofi Mole a standout in his scene whether in Ghana or abroad.<\/p>\n
Meryl
\nMartinique<\/p>\n
French label La Maison Caviar gives us \u201cJack Sparrow\u201d, the first single from a forthcoming project of the great Meryl. The rapper-singer-producer from Martinique is set to make her comeback very soon, three years after the album Jour Avant Caviar. In the meantime, Meryl delivers a track in her own sunny, Creole and with masterful writing. A softer and lighter side to the artist certainly influenced by her collaboration with DJ Natoxie on the track with production by Lijay and Lazy Flow. The music video is directed by Cedric Richer, member of the Panamaera collective and highlights the dreamy landscapes of the island of flowers. The rapper takes us aboard her ship and sailing through Martinique culture awaiting an international tour in March 2023.<\/p>\n
I.K
\nComores<\/p>\n
Comorian rapper, I.K aka TLF, real name Ikbal M\u2019kouboi brings the whole Comorian rap scene together for a massive hit on \u201c269%\u201d. Titi Le fourbe, Hoosligo, Rim Karim, lil Simba, Djambsaid, captain djez, Enzo, Killamen, Bilwiz, LesKama KZ Puissance Sud, Aydii and Meido\u2026 A small playbook for your next Comorian rap digging session. \u201cChildren of comoros raised on rainwater. The doors are closed, I have to break them down,\u201d I.K raps on a sample of the classic \u201cOuais Gros\u201d of 113 revisited by Haze. Riding through the Comorian capital in a music video directed by CINEAST, these young artists honor their country and wave the Comorian flag proudly.<\/p>\n
Abo El Anwar
\nEgypte<\/p>\n
Abo El-Anwar teams up with Ahmed Santa for his major hit penned for the Insomnia Egypt Gaming Festival, \u201cGG\u201d. In it Abu Al-Anwar brags about making it to the top, full of video game and FIFA references, claiming in Arabic he and his team will \u201chonor the Arabs like Morocco\u201d in reference to Morocco\u2019s historic 2022 World Cup run, being the first African team to make it to the semi-finals which ushered in a wave of Arab and African support. Pulling notes from the Jersey beats that have given rocket fuel to recent hits like Lil Uzi Vert\u2019s \u201cJust Wanna Rock\u201d or Cookie Kawaii\u2019s \u201cVibe\u201d Abo El-Anwar has been experimenting with drill, boom-bap and all of hip-hop\u2019s kissing cousins. That isn\u2019t to say the melodies aren\u2019t reminiscent of the electro-mahraganat scene popping off in Cairo as well. All-in-all it\u2019s a strong showing of the entire creative universe, from the stylishly animated clip to the catchy production and fitting feats.<\/p>\n
Thiird
\nGuinea<\/p>\n
You\u2019ve been warned, the \u201cKoukou Kourou Koukou\u201d gimmick may stick in your head. With the track \u201cFogo\u201d, the Guinea driller named Thiird continues his momentous rise. Making his mark since his debut in the group Gnamakalah, the native of Conakry has come to develop his own fanbase. Since, he\u2019s been garnering anticipation for his solo project NMI KHAKHILI, the lead single of which already feature the Ivorian Shogun Didi B. \u201cFogo\u201d is a fitting preview: from its dark drill instrumental to its incisive lyrics, the track is one of Thiird\u2019s best performances yet.<\/p>\n
TIF \u2013 \u201cShadow boxing\u201d
\nAlgeria \/ France<\/p>\n
A few weeks ago, PAM met the rapper Tif just before the release of his latest album. Originally from Algeria, he is one of the leaders of the new North African rap scene, carried by prodigies like his sidekick, the Moroccan Khalil. With the release of 1.6, a highly anticipated follow-up to his high-flying performance on Houma Sweet Houma in 2022, Tif unveils yet more facets of his melodic rap universe, between hip-hop bass and oriental influences. The third single of the project, entitled \u201cShadow Boxing\u201d, uses the recipe to perfection, on a track rapped in French. \u201cI\u2019m aware that there are a lot of people who don\u2019t understand what I\u2019m saying in Algeria because I rap in French and I use a lot of slang, but I think<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
From Angola to Ghana, stopping off in Comoros, Ivory Coast, Nigeria or Guinea, PAM presents a selection of 10 tracks from across the continent, from major hits to new school mavericks, that have shook up the rap world in 2023. Find the full selection in our Pan African Rap playlist.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12963,"featured_media":28225,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[12,31],"tags":[7,14,32],"class_list":{"0":"post-28228","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-entertainment","8":"category-music","9":"tag-apie-project","10":"tag-entertainment","11":"tag-music"},"yoast_head":"\n