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Mini Yong is a talented young, up and coming Nigerian female emcee and burgeoning photographer who you should keep two eyes on in 2012. Born and bred in Ibadan to academician parents, Mini - real name Ekemini Ekpenyong - is currently studying Law at the renowned University of Ibadan while she hones her artistic crafts, both in Hip-Hop music and Photography.
Mini and Hip-Hop music met in her younger, very formative years. She fell in love with the artform, genre and way of life after witnessing rap battles amongst her high school mates during her time as a student at the International School in Ibadan. She found the attitude, the style, and passion behind Hip-Hop music as a new way to express herself, her individuality and her creativity and she hasn’t looked back since in her pursuit of this elite form of expression.
A big fan of Eminem among other rap greats, she places high importance and emphasis on her lyrics with which she excellently uses to tell stories and paint pictures about her life, her society, influences, aspirations and dreams with the right amount of witty word play.
With her extensive discography of recorded but unreleased music ready and waiting to be unleashed on the world, a lyrical acclaim that places her as one of the top young female rappers in Nigerian Hip-Hop and a feature on GberaTinrin Studios’ #VirusdaMixtape compilation album, Mini Yong is set to make her mark in the Nigerian music industry, and in extension, the world so as we said in the beginning - keep two eyes (not one) on the one they call Mini Yong!
Introducing Nigerian rapper and media entrepreneur Phizzle - real name Fela Yomi-Layinka. Born and bred into a media family in Ibadan, Oyo State, this 80’s baby has never been far from a camera or a microphone with a mother who is a trained journalist and a father who is a renowned TV producer and director.
Having evolved his interest in music from a love for dancing - which he attests got him the crowd attention and attention from the girls at high school events - to being able to pull a few tricks with his rap rhymes, Phizzle fondly mentions the birth of Nigerian Hip-Hop via the likes of Maintain, Trybesmen, Modenine and Eedris Abdulkareem in the late 90s as his early motivation.
He further built up his rap skills while studying at Babcock University and quickly became popular on campus for his unconventional and unique flow. A move to the UK soon followed in 2007 where Phizzle studied for a Masters Degree at the prestigious Brunel University London.
In between studying and garnering both his Bachelors and Masters degrees, Phizzle released his official first single “Jaiye Jaiye” in 2009 before unveiling his debut mixtape The Ibadan/Lagos/London Mixtape a year after. Fast forward to 2012 and Phizzle has just released his debut EP City to City: The Adventures of Waterboi P to huge fan and critical acclaim.
With his love for music and his massive bounds of talent, Phizzle is set to raise the bar in the Nigerian music industry not only by bringing good music, but also by creating new standards and possibilities for Nigerian artists.
KILT KRANIK is a 16-year old rapper, singer and songwriter that is poised to take the African music scene by storm. Signed to Gberatinrin Studios, ‘Kranik’ as he is fondly called started music at about the age of 13 when he was in Junior Secondary School and since then has been growing his craft exponentially.
The fast-rising all-round artist was the first artist signed to Gberatinrin Studios and features on the label’s forthcoming #VirusdaMixTape project alongside the likes of Phizzle and New Kentro World.
Kranik’s debut single “Takeover” was released in December, 2011 and has been enjoying massive radio and media support across the country. “Takeover” was recently at the number 7 spot on Beat FM Abuja weekly chart countdown and is also in the top 10 of other various Radio station charts. Kranik also features on the hook on Phizzle’s massive “Rewind Your Mind” single which is also currently enjoying good airplay across the country.
Kilt Kranik’s brand new single “Wagwan” will also be featuring on the forthcoming #VirusdaMixtape compilation as he completes work on his forthcoming debut EP titled Prince of the Throne (POT) which will be released later in the year.
Wagwan - Kilt Kranik (by GBERATINRINSTUDIOS)
Fast-rising Nigerian record label GberaTinrin Studios is poised to put IB (Ibadan) further on the music map with their new brand of feel-good Nigerian music, first with the forthcoming release of the brand new mixtape titled #VirusdaMixtape due out in the first half of 2012.
Created with the aim of feeding audiences and listeners with a great blend of musical styles, unique production and individual brands, GberaTinrin Studios is aiming to produce the best true mixtape experience for listeners.
Classed as Naija Hip-Hop - a blend of different genres of Music including Rap, Afro Pop, Highlife, Afrobeats and Fuji - the #VirusdaMixtape will feature over 10 popular and up-coming artists including The New Kentroworld, Mini Yong, Mohdara and in-house producer St. Buster Keyz amongst others.
Tundey - real name Tunde Akintoroye - is what tastemakers and critics like to describe as a “360 artist”. A rapper, singer and songwriter in every sense of these words, Tundey - or Vicar as he is often called - has proven to be exceptionally versatile across all genres of music and adaptable to any musical milieu.
Beginning his musical journey as a Choir boy in Church where Tundey was a member of two Gospel groups growing up - Anointed Three and Motivators - and built his performance pedigree on the back of Church appearances, Tundey has gone on to work with a flurry of mainstream and emerging Nigerian artists such as Skukki, Kazz, Phizzle, Kilt Kranik and many more.
Making music that is embedded and enriched with deep and meaningful words of wisdom and strong lyrical dexterity, Tundey coveys his message with an incredibly melodious voice that not only has the power to captivate your soul and leave you speechless but also to move your body and make you dance.
The Chemistry Graduate from O.A.U cites such legends as King Sunny Ade, Michael Jackson, R.Kelly and Lagbaja as his inspiration and the influence behind his music. He is currently working on his debut album which is due out before the end of 2012.
Hailing from Ikorodu, Lagos and currently residing in Ibadan, Mohdara - real name Aramide Aregbesola - is one fast rising Nigerian female Hip-Hop artist that is poised to take the music industry by storm in 2012.
As her stage name suggests - a double entendre of sorts which on one hand translates to “murderer” and on the other, means “I’m Good” in her native Yoruba language, this up and coming femcee and self-proclaimed “Lyrical Goddess” is fierce on the MIC, takes no prisoners and holds no punches - making her certainly one Nigerian female rapper to keep an eye on…
Picking up the pen and pad while in Secondary School as influenced by her elder brother’s taste in music and Hip-Hop music in particular, the 80’s baby who also holds a Bachelors Degree in Politics and International Relations lists the likes of Tupac, Jadakiss, Missy Elliot as her influences and inspiration.
Her debut single titled “Jumping” is OUT NOW!
Fast-rising female emcee MsHawtitude - real name Oyindamola Thomas - is a new addition to the Nigerian Hip-Hop landscape but she is certainly nothing like what you’ve seen before. Born and bred in Ibadan, Oyo state, the graduate of Politics and International Relations never imagined herself as an artist until she jokingly jumped on a beat by Buster Keys at the legendary GberaTinrin Studio… The outcome of which, was a pretty impressive Hip-Hop song - the rest, as they say, is HISTORY!
Since that fateful impromptu studio session, Hip-Hop has become a passion for MsHawtitude and as time has progessed, she has become an unstoppable force on the MIC. Her guest feature on Tundey Vicar’s latest single “Omo Jaiye Jaiye” has further gone on to show that this new discovery of hers (her music talent) is not going anywhere, anytime soon.
Not entirely a novice to the game, MsHawtitude’s experience in PR and Public Relations for entertainment events and artists has definitely taught her a few valuable lessons along the way - lessons that will help her in her climb to the top of the Nigerian music echelons. Her influences and inspiration come from Hip-Hop legends and veterans like Nas, Common, Kanye West, Foxy Brown, Lil Kim, Mc Lyte and Eve among others and with her new single titled “Wojue”, a certified club banger for the ladies, MsHawtitude is set to light up the music industry with her massive appeal and “music” attitude.
