Reminisce: Hip-Hop Honours Skill, Not Wealth or Streams
Nigerian rap veteran Reminisce has asserted that respect in hip-hop is earned through lyrical prowess, not commercial success or financial clout.
Speaking during a recent episode of the On The Record podcast, where he appeared alongside fellow rapper Vector, Reminisce weighed in on ongoing debates within Nigeria’s hip-hop scene – particularly amid rising tensions and comparisons between rappers like Odumodublvck and Blaqbonez.
The Local Rappers hitmaker emphasised that, unlike other genres, hip-hop holds talent and authenticity above all else.
“Hip-hop is the only genre that doesn’t respect numbers or money,” Reminisce said. “You could have all the streams and call your album the greatest, but if the skills aren’t there, the culture won’t rate you.”
He pointed to the recent rap feud between Kendrick Lamar and Drake as a prime example. While Drake boasts far more commercial success, Reminisce noted that the rap community largely declared Kendrick the winner due to his lyrical superiority.
“If you look at the margin between Drake and Lamar in terms of reach and numbers, it’s huge. But because hip-hop prioritises skills above everything, Kendrick earned the win,” he explained.
The rapper’s comments have reignited conversations about the true essence of hip-hop, especially in an era where social media metrics and streaming figures often dominate the narrative.
