Welcome back to NAIJANOTICE.COM Top 5 — where we break down the best of anything and everything. This week: the 5 hottest rappers in Kaduna right now.
We put this list together to spotlight how far Kaduna’s entertainment scene has come, and the artists putting real work, effort, and dedication into their craft.
How we picked them: Based on records, singles, stage performance, media airplay, and fan recognition.
*Note*: This is our take, not a public poll. Let’s get into it.
5. D.I.A
Real name: Didam Iliya Ajeye aka Candyman
A decade-plus veteran and arguably KD’s most prolific rapper. D.I.A started as a poet, and you hear it — conscious music, layered wordplay, mind-bending bars, and intentional rhymes. He’s got 100+ songs in the vault. Start with _Damn You Pay Me_, _Call of Duty_, _LOL_, _Under D Influence_, and _A Good Day to Be Alive_ ft Joy Adejo. We’re crossing fingers Uncle DIA quits hoarding tracks and feeds us in 2025.
4. DJ AB
Real name: Haruna Abdullahi aka DJ Abba
Producer, songwriter, rapper. Born in Kaduna, fluent in Hausa and English. DJ AB’s been pushing Arewa music forward since 2011 with his YNS crew. His “Ingausa” flow hits easy but he can flip to aggressive on fast beats. Northern anthems like _Su Baba Ne_, _Yar Boko_, _Soyyaya_ built his base. 2021 saw him go national with _Masoyiya_ and _Supa Supa_ ft Mr Eazi. He’s leveled up yearly — 2022 looks even bigger.
3. FREDIE BOUNCE
Real name: Alfred Madaki | Tribe: Adara
Fredie hit the Croc City rap scene in 2021 and brought high-octane energy. His breakout track _Bounce_ got attention, but _Fredie_ is the one that gets crowds moving. His style mixes smooth bars with Hausa inflections, a distinct mic presence, and plenty of self-referential punchlines — especially about his height. He’s shut down recent Kaduna shows and just dropped _Guntu_ meaning “short” in Hausa. He also linked with DJ Cinch for a _Zazuu Zeh_ refix. We’re banking on consistency from him.
2. DJ CINCH
Real name: Fumen John Naye
The most recognizable name on this list. DJ Cinch cracked the code for KD entertainment. Songwriter, recording artist, performer, award winner, DJ, producer, mixing/mastering engineer — multitalented is an understatement. He blew up in 2017 with _Arewa Wo_, his Olamide _Wo_ remix. Since then, he’s mastered recreating hits in his own style. Bilingual in English and Hausa, he’s popularized slangs like “harkan seniorman”, “chasu zalla”, “Ikon Allah”, “Wanka”, “wotoloi”, “Saminaka”, “Muna Waje”. Key tracks: _That Hausa Rapper_ ft BOC, _Wanka_, _Arewa Wo_, _Again (Hausa cover)_, _Credit Alert_. Just teamed with Fredie Bounce on _Zazuu Zeh (cover)_. Consistency and originality got him here.
1. KEL CYPHA
Real name: Micheal Nonso Ejiofor
If you know Ultimate Rap League and Nu Jersey Twork, think Kel Cypha as KD’s version. Igbo by tribe, Kaduna-raised, trilingual in English, Hausa, and Igbo. Since 2014 he’s been dropping non-stop bars, wordplay, and punchlines. _God No Go Shame Us_ became an evergreen slogan in 2020, and the 2021 remix ft Kevinwords, Pherowshuz, and DIA was a hit. He also runs _krockcitydegreez_, a key KD blog. Check: _Mad O_, _Vibration_, _Oliver Twist_, _Jokers_, _Upcoming_. More fire expected in 2022.
Final Word
That’s our Top 5 to watch in 2026. We’ll be tracking how their year unfolds. KD is full of promising rappers — we’re ready for everyone to bring their A-game.
