Class of ’25: Lagos’s New School Afro‑HipHop Voices Taking Center Stage

Meet 5 rising voices, each reshaping the genre with their flavour, from Fuji fusions to soul-tinted
trap. Yes, Lagos’ next wave has arrived with a new class in session, and it’s rewriting the
Afro‑HipHop playbook from the ground up.
Blending the grit of Lagos streets with global flair, these artists are not just dropping hits, they’re
carving new lanes. Here are the 2025 names you need to know:
1. Kunmie
Known for “Arike,” which hit Spotify Viral Global’s top list in Q1 2025, Kunmie blends traditional
Yoruba vocal stylings with minimalist beats. Think Ayra Starr meets Asa, in a soft, rooted
reinvention.
2. Chella
Chella scored a runaway viral hit with “My Darling” in March 2025, combining street-hop
cadences with old-school Shabba energy. TurnTable and Shazam data proved the hit wasn’t a
fluke—it was a movement.
3. TML Vibez
Mentored by Seyi Vibez and backed by Vibez Inc., TML’s gritty, melodic voice is anchoring
street-hop’s latest evolution. His 2024 projects trended across Boomplay and TurnTable,
marking him as a Gen Z favorite.
4. Espago
The Lagos-born newcomer with a Fuji-influenced Afro‑HipHop vibe, Espago, entered the game
with a background in hospitality, design, and live storytelling. With one year of studio time under
his belt and a debut single (“Killing Me”) dropping July 19, 2025, his vocal precision and
Fuji-soul blend make him one of the most unique entrants on this list.

5. Vasa
Known for his raw TikTok freestyles, Vasa’s Book of Vasa EP series built a cult following. His
emotion-driven bars and melodic rap made him a TurnTable Emerging pick to watch in 2024,
now it’s 2025 and he’s taking centre stage.
The Class of ’25 is loud, experimental, and deeply rooted. As Afro‑HipHop evolves beyond
street stories into full-bodied narratives, these artists—Ayo Maff, Qing Madi, Espago, and
others—aren’t just releasing music. They’re shaping culture.