Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has sparked controversy on social media after releasing his top 10 rap songs of all time, and not a single Nigerian artist made the list.
Let’s go back to what led to this controversial list.
The minister, who some have described as Nigeria’s coolest minister, was fielding questions during a recent interview on Channel TV about why Nigeria can’t accept President Donald Trump’s request for undocumented Venezuelan criminals in the US to be temporarily accommodated in Nigeria as a holding place until their case is determined.
To emphasise his point, Tuggar cited a well-known lyric from Flavor Flav of Public Enemy: “Flavor Flav has problems of his own / I can’t do nothing for you, man.”
The message he was trying to convey with the lyrics was that: “We (Nigeria) have enough problems of our own. We cannot accept Venezuelan deportees. You will be the same people who would criticise us if we do.”
This music reference caught the attention of netizens, prompting a request on X from a Nigerian author, Lola Shoneyin, who asked the minister to drop the top 10 songs.
“Good evening, HM. All the people in my posse are saying you should release a thread of your Top 10 rap songs at the end of the year, plus a one-minute video explaining your picks. Thank you, sir,” Shoneyin wrote.
But apparently, the Tuggar didn’t need until December to come up with the list. He served it hot.
Here is the complete list
1. My mind is playing tricks on me- Getto Boys
2. Paid in Full- Eric B & Rakim
3. Fight the Power- Public Enemy
5. Monie Luv- It’s a Shame
6. The Story of OJ- Jay Z
7. Get Your Freak On- Missy Elliot.
9. The Crown- Gary Byrd & the GB Experience
10. It takes Two- Rob Base
11. Nuthin but a G Thing- Snoop & Dre (simply couldn’t leave these 2 out)
12. Do For Luv- Tupac
Nigerian rap is missing in action
Interestingly absent from the list are Nigerian rap stars like M.I. Abaga, Modenine, Olamide, Dagrin, and Falz – artists who shaped modern Naija rap sensibilities.
These omissions sparked a mix of reactions online.
