The just concluded April edition of Str8 Up Hip-hop was not just a gathering of female Hip-hop acts and
their fans but also a convergence of their male counterparts who came out to support the hardworking
ladies.
The event which was hosted by the amazing Toni Payne was exciting from start to finish as the
attendees were treated to a sumptuous and unadulterated hip-hop meal consisting of B-Girl showcase,
graffiti, freestyle sessions and battle emcee sessions won by the defending champion, Yung Soss.
Outstanding performances by Butafly, Splash, Thelma and Kiss, captivating spoken word by Dolapo,
impressive DJing by DJ Lambogini and DJ OZ all contributed to the unforgettable Ladies First experience.
The large turnout no doubt indicated that females in the Hip-hop scene are truly appreciated and loved
by the hip-hop community.
Str8 Up Hip-hop honored veteran rappers, Sasha P and Weird MC for their selfless contributions to the
growth of hip-hop in Nigeria. It is safe to say that the veterans earned more respect by their unmatched
performances at the event. Sasha P performed some of her classic songs including her timeless
hit ‘Adara’ while Weird MC gave an electrifying performance of her smashing hit song remix ‘‘Ijo Ya’
amongst other classic tunes.
In her appreciation speech, Weird MC said, “When I started out, we were very few female artists
compared to what we have now. The effort of upcoming female artistes in Nigeria is commendable
and I encourage them to keep pressing forward in their pursuits even with more determination and
resilience.”
Also, the first ever Nigerian female DJ, Late DJ Lokshai was honored in recognition of her status as a
bonafide hip-hop pioneer and a financial donation was presented to her daughter, Jadesola. A very
touching documentary which was put together by Buckwyld Media Production shed more light on the
exploits of the late DJ and her unwavering determination to put female DJs in the limelight.
Celebrities who were present to celebrate the Hip-hop ladies included 2face Idibia, Eva Alordiah, Cynthia
Morgan, Mr Raw, M-Thrill, DJ Humility among others.
Ladies First was produced by Now Muzik En.Core and supported by Kally and Mowa water brands
Str8 Up Hip-hop edition for May is already being planned. Although the date is yet to be announced, the
infectious atmosphere is ever present in the minds of hip-hop heads.