Oluwadamilola Akinduro

An up-and-coming rapper, Emmanuel John, popularly known as Momentoum, has debunked claims that rap is dead.

The Delta State-born artiste, who is based in Akure, Ondo State, is currently a mathematics student at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA).

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Weekend Extravaganza, Momentoum insisted that rap remains alive and relevant, adding that the lack of appreciation for the genre among Nigerians is the major challenge faced by rappers.

“Rap is not dead,” he said. “It’s just that Nigerians don’t appreciate rap the way they do other genres.”

Describing rap, Momentoum explained: “Rap is a genre of music characterized by spoken words, rhythmic speech, and lyrical flow, often accompanied by electronic beats and hip-hop instrumentation.

“A rapper is different from a regular musician because while both convey messages, rappers do so using rhythmic spoken words alongside beats.”

Reflecting on his passion for rap, Momentoum quoted lines from his song, Rap Source Da Cypher Vol. 1:

“I can’t ever leave rap because the first time I saw it, I found it beautiful.

I’m going to repeat that statement again; the first time I saw rap, I found it really cool.

The first time rap descended in me, I saw the battery of rap in me fully built.”

According to him, his love for rap stems from its beauty and uniqueness. “The battery of rap in me is very full,” he added with conviction.

Momentoum also argued that rap is both a talent and a skill that can be learned and developed.

“Rapping is an inborn talent, but it’s also something one can learn and even study. I’ve taught many people how to rap, and they are doing well today. Some believed rap had to be inborn, but I proved them wrong by teaching them, and now they are excelling,” he revealed.

Despite his optimism, the young rapper acknowledged the challenges faced by Nigerian rappers. He cited the lack of appreciation and dwindling audience as major hurdles.

 “People listen to singers more than rappers in Nigeria”. That’s why artists like Wizkid have said ‘Rap is dead.’ But I disagree. Rap isn’t dead; it’s just that Nigerians don’t appreciate it enough,” he concluded.

Momentoum is determined to keep the rap culture alive and thriving, both locally and globally.