7 Hip-Hop Projects You Might Have Missed in 2026

And the church will declare that hip-hop is for the children. And all will be well. Amen. In a year when Nigerian music has traversed every genre imaginable, it’s to absolutely no one’s surprise that Hip-Hop has played its role in that conquest. The Egerttons and Scottyolorins of this world joining forces with the Blaqbonezes and Odumodublvcks who have themselves influenced what your favourite Afropop acts delivered on wax. Dave even came down last month to join the party, with Zaylevelten as co-conductor for two nights at the National Theatre. Mid-year lists included a rap project or two, as JeriQ returned with a five-year sequel and Abuja’s flyest collective, Apex Village, extended their run, among other drops. Ladipoe led the Revival. Phyno dropped an album. Baddo is on his way with a followup to Olamide. Aguero Banks and Tuff King have held the east captive. It’s been one hell of a good year on these here streets 

However, in the midst of this run, certain projects have been lost to the din of the mainstream. These EPs, albums, and mixtapes with fantastic subject matter missed audiences’ radars because—well—it’s Nigerian hip-hop and if we’re to believe Wizkid and Seyi Vibez, and a spiteful Nas before them, hip-hop is dead. Not in this household, though. Not when Culture Custodian is still curating for a conscious audience. 

Without further ado, here are 7 hip-hop projects you might have missed in 2026 . 

Arewa Rockstar – Makama

“Say whatchyu know about Makama?,” the Abuja-based rapper asks on track 2 of his debut album, a half-hour kaleidoscope that pairs hip-hop with psychedelic rock, funk, doo-wop, and so much more. Best known for his MMXXII joint-EP with fellow Abuja boy, Zilla Oaks, Makama released Arewa Rockstar in June. It’s easily one of the best albums released by a Nigerian in 2026, featuring a stellar posse cut of Jesse Jagz, Psycho YP, and pa1n (catch u), 2010’s Bruno Mars-adjacent funk (swag surfin), and a cinematic curtain closer (fantasy) that’s sure to induce goosebumps. This is like listening to Remy Baggins for the first time all over again—stylistically different rappers in new sonic territory.

AFROSKANKING – Paybac Iboro

When the world needed the Leader of the Cult, he returned with the much anticipated AFROSKANKING, a continued exploration of the Nigerian condition that has come to define his works. Following 2025’s double feature of the hyperpolitical OMOBOY THE MIXTAPE and existentialist Sometimes I Dream About Death, Iboro is back having fun in the lineage of musical greats (with producer and featured artist, Alpha Ojini on KSA) while taking shots at all your favourite corrupt politicians ( Beast of Burden feat. 3rty). You’ve got all your favourite Iboro-isms too like the aspirational duet with a female vocalist (MANSION FOR LEKKI feat. Nyinée) and referential tie-ins to his journey as the self-proclaimed West African Goat (SUNSET IN NSUKKA feat. Danni Jeffery).

I Own My Masters – Darcslim

For all intents and purposes, the Nigerian hip-hop underground is still the place to be. The numbers might not be there, nor the consensus critical acclaim, but by Jove, these folks are rapping-rapping. On I Own My Masters, Darcslim spins stories of his life into boom-bap scrolls, soothing and haunting in equal measure. Fighting w My Pops starts on the premise of a conversation with his father about getting a masters, and evolves into an expansive chronicle. I Own My Masters unravels his UNIBEN and music journey while a lone trumpet loops on in the background. Even when there are missteps, like the off-colour 2014 Forest Hills Drive J Cole meets Section .80 Kendrick Come Dey Step, Darcslim’s lyricism shines through. Don’t be fooled by its simplistic cover art, this project is a must-listen.

Greatly Exaggerated: Deluxe – Damon Grass

A Mark Twain misquote from 1897 became the thematic launchpad for a ten-year comeback, and then a deluxe to the main album, not long after. This is Greatly  Exaggerated: Deluxe, a victory lap featuring some of the most fiery voices in the Nigerian hip-hop scene. There’s Anikulapo II with Stoke-based Yoruba demon, OluwaMillar, a barfest of filthy references and even filthier rhyme schemes (As of this report, Damon Grass has released a second remix, Anikulapo III with a stacked cast of underground hitters). Himself and evil twin, Caleb Clay, swap affirmations baile funk on No Favours. And closing out the tape, the Miami-born rapper goes fully introspective on Flights Get Chartered/Feel Good, a worthy pick for any year-end list about the best rap songs of 2026.  “And I was just about to find God/But now that Fatoyinbo’s back, I’m not sure” is just one of many gems glittering across this project.

ÀBíNiBí {Col. 1}: The Mixtape – PDSTRN

In a conversation with Vector the Viper sometime in April at the J.K Randle Center for Yorùbá Culture and History, Onikan, Lagos, he hinted to this writer about PDSTRN’s long-awaited album. Turns out it was a mixtape instead—arguably the same thing in the age of Spotify. Ketu’s finest builds on his 2024 collab EP with Sholz, ROCK, PAPER, SCISSORS and singles like the Headies Lyricist on the Roll-nominated MOSHOOD—which doubles as the mixtape’s outro—with tracks exploring romance (ADÉNÍKẸ), high fashion braggadocio (AJÉ), and the intensity of inner-city Lagos (47 DEGREES IN ALAPERE). The 3-track run closing out ÀBíNiBí is immersive, situating you right in the heart of Ketu. 

J.E.T (Japa End Theory) EP- DJ GIAA, Vyce Vrxa 

It was tough picking between this EP and Vyce Vrxa 2, the follow-up to Abuja duo Vyce Vrxa’s—Hotyce and President Zik—debut tape, 2025’s Vice Versa. However, the mere existence of NO SAFE ZONE put that argument to bed. Over RZA-esque production, the duo rap about insecurity in the South-East, making a case for citizen vigilantism as Nigeria’s government fails to rein in insurgents and illegal miners racketeering in the North-Central. The EP is grim as can be, a likely play on legendary hip-hop group A Tribe Called Quest’s 1991 classic, The Low End Theory. Political commentary laced with stellar bars like “God’s son so I know that I can” on MARKET PRICE NA FIRE. A callback to Eedris Abdulkareem’s Mr. Lecturer on the biting ASUU & BROKEN DREAMS. 5 tracks in total rooted in grimy TeckZilla-adjacent boombap, with horns blaring.

The Vibe Pack 3 (No Love Songs) – Sknny

For the third installation in the Port Harcourt rapper’s The Vibe Pack series, jazzy lo-fi meets cloud rap, all encircling tumultuous relationships. You’d think that after 3 tapes, love would be less complex, or Sknny less emotive, but such are the ways of Cupid’s arrows. On the intro, About U, melodic raps about a girl his friends have told him much about—a timeless music staple at this point—with hi-hats, moody chords, and what sounds like a zither, for an atmospheric feel. Drillin’ to even more moody chords on outro, OnlyFans, he recounts dealing with a love interest whose OnlyFans inclinations are a bother—even though she describes her flailing economic situation. Short, emotion-laden tracks from the ex-Hennessy VS Class man.