Among the many things that many Nigerian mainstream rappers have in common is their struggles from grass to grace, from street hustling to mainstream, and while these stories have over the years inspired other up and coming artists, few rappers share close to none of that story.
One Nigerian rapper who you could say didn’t really share stories of him in the hood and hustling to make ends meet is Naeto C – The only MC with an M.sc.
Naeto C made us realize that one didn't have to be street to excel in rap.
The guy was just tensioning the naija hip-hop community with his https://t.co/PkGPk3EdGb and we loved seeing it 😂😂😂— CYBER DOBERMAN (@Baldilocks__) May 22, 2020
On Twitter, Nigerians have taken a moment to highlight moments where the rapper has inspired them despite not sharing sad stories of how hard it was for him and how he has also had a generational influence on many other Nigerian up and coming artists.
I'm a Fan of Jude and Naeto C
Incredible body of work from the both of them.
This battle isn't to point out who is better, its an opportunity to enjoy the classics and be thankful for these legends.
— Osi (@Osi_Suave) May 22, 2020
Naeto C was a member of the Kwara State PDP Gubernatorial Primaries Committee in 2018. pic.twitter.com/oOSOVuYOD1
— Africa Facts Zone (@AfricaFactsZone) May 22, 2020
Naeto C dropped 10/10, 5 and 6, Kini Big Deal, You Know My P,
I Gentle, Ako Mi Ti Poju and a bunch of other hits. Don't discredit him by saying he doesn't have much hits. If you're informed about this topic, you would know that's a lie.— Isima (@IsimaOdeh) May 21, 2020
Well, the trend goes without a saying that there would be those who would think the exact opposite and say the rapper was nothing more than he was and nothing less than he was when he was still active in the Nigerian rap scene. On Twitter, many music and rap lovers are now comparing Naeto C with MI Abaga as they placed each of their projects side by side.
Many are of the opinion that while MI is good at what he does, it doesn’t erase the fact the Naeto C is an icon and deserves all the accolades he received in his time, and more so, all the attention he was getting on Twitter.
MI vs. Naeto C is a complex conversation – there's no need to over-simplify.
MI Abaga can produce 10 hits/popular songs, Naeto C will produce 5-6, tops.
However, Naeto C's biggest songs are way bigger than MI's biggest songs.
Context, guys. Context.
— Motolani Alake (@OneMotolani) May 22, 2020
https://twitter.com/toolzbabe/status/1263755977406496768?s=20
https://twitter.com/leroikingin/status/1263764030788907013?s=20
https://twitter.com/el_cheezy/status/1263787115332218880?s=20
The thing about rap music in Nigeria is that every rap artist has often time acknowledge the creativity of the other person because as it appears, it always boils down to the fans who are quick to incite these comparisons between the rappers. Just as you could guess, wherever there is a mention of MI, there would also be a Vector in the scene.
In gushing over Naeto C and his unique style and persona, MI was dragged in comparison with the rapper and since MI was mentioned, fans of Vector the Viper has also shared some of their takes on who is the greatest rapper then and now in Nigeria.
https://twitter.com/mr_adebayo5/status/1263757738271739905?s=20
https://twitter.com/tolutezzy_/status/1263757451674951688?s=20
Naeto C may have set the pace for the rappers we have now and that may just be what his fans wanted to air out when they started a trend on Twitter about him, but things got escalated and what seemed to be a trend to celebrate how Naeto C rapped his way (without the struggling stories) to the hearts of many turned into the regular Twitter trend that compares rappers and their style of rapping.
