Do you remember when “long break” was a rap battle and your battered exercise book doubled as a lyric vault. In schoolyards across Nigeria, being the best dancer or rapper wasn’t just cool — it was status. And the names you’d hear in those cyphers? Bouqui? Sasha P? Mo’Cheddah? Weird MC? Where are they now?

BOUQUI: The Revolutionary

Image: Bouqui to the right of the image in her PhD graduation attire. Credit: This Day Live

Bouqui, born Bukola Folayan, delivered sermons with rhythm. Her 2007 self-titled debut album BOUQUI wasn’t just music; it was a manifesto. Tracks like “Molejo” and “Get It Started” hit with a palpable forcr, setting a new bar for female rappers across the continent. Her reach wasn’t confined to Lagos or Abuja. She was performing across the U.S., Europe, and Canada, including a massive 15,000-capacity crowd at Obafemi Awolowo University.

Awards followed her hustle. Best Female Act at the AMEN Awards. Multiple Headies nominations. International recognition at the Women in Entertainment Awards UK.

By the mid-2010s, Bouqui’s music was beginning to echo with gospel influences. And then, in 2019, came the unexpected twist: she was ordained as a pastor. The bars gave way to Bible verses. But her message? Just as powerful. She completed a PhD in Marketing, Advertising, and Faith-based Initiative in 2022. That same year, she released her deeply personal memoir My Naked Parts— a raw, reflective look into her journey through fame, faith, and finding purpose.

Weird MC

If you grew up in Nigeria in the early 2000s, chances are you shouted “Ijoya!” more than once — maybe on a sweaty dance floor, at a school talent show, or from a rickety radio on a Saturday morning. That explosive anthem, with its blend of Yoruba percussion and futuristic flair, came from one unforgettable artist: Weird MC.

Born Shola Idowu, Weird MC was ahead of her time — a fierce blend of British and Nigerian influences, tomboy charm, mystical flair, and lyrical fire. At a time when female voices were still finding footing in Nigerian hip-hop, she didn’t wait for a seat at the table — she built her own. With tracks like “Allen Avenue” and “Ijoya,”Weird MC shifted the sound of an era.

Weird MC, Where is She?

Image: Weird MC. Credit: Hip Hop Africa

In 2021, Weird MC sat down for an interview with the premium times, and laid her heart bare. She revealed that after losing her close friendNomoreloss, in 2017 she stepped away from the spotlight and quietly moved back to the UK. That loss opened the door to something deeper: a journey of healing, faith, and rediscovery. She spent those years not just resting, but evolving — learning new professional skills, reconnecting with God, and redefining her purpose.

Now, she's preparing to re-enter the music world, not just with beats, but with intention. The goal? Music that uplifts, transforms, and reflects her spiritual walk.

During those years away, she also learned new skills, including working as a Scrum Master.

Her daily prayer, she says, is that people don’t just hear her music but see Christ in her.

Sasha P: The First Lady of Nigerian Hip-Hop

Image Above: Sasha P. Credit: Lagos Jump Radio

Sasha P didn’t need an introduction — she was the introduction. The minute she stepped on the scene under Trybe Records and later Storm Records, she made it clear that women weren’t just part of the genre, they could lead it. Her 2008 album First Lady, powered by the unforgettable “Adara,” became a milestone in Nigerian music.

By 2010, she had made history, winning Best Female Artist at the MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMA) — a continental crown that cemented her influence. Sasha P didn’t just open doors; she removed them. Suddenly, the next generation of girls in hip-hop saw themselves in her — loud, proud, and powerful.

Around 2013, she stepped away from the mic — not in retreat, but in expansion. She dove into fashion, launching her own label, and carved out space in humanitarian work. Although she's no longer under the spotlight, one thing is certain, her serving as an inspiration to others never ended.

Mo’Cheddah

Image Above: Mo Cheddah with her baby. Credit: Punch Newspaper

She entered the game like a comet. Barely 20, Mo’Cheddah’s debut albumFranchise Celebrity (2010) had the kind of momentum artists twice her age dreamed of. “If You Want Me” was more than a hit — it was an anthem. She blurred the line between rapper and pop star, bringing a genre-bending sound that felt futuristic.

Her rise was rapid. By 2012, she had founded her own label, Cheddah Music. She wasn’t just creating music — she was creating a brand, making her one of the first young female artists in Nigeria to take full control of her career.

Mo’Cheddah’s Shift

After a flurry of hits and early success, Mo’Cheddah slowed her music career around 2015. Some wondered if she’d left for good. But she hadn’t stepped back — she’d stepped sideways. Into fashion. Into entrepreneurship. Into a version of stardom that didn’t depend on a beat. Through social media, she kept her fans close. Mo cheddah is now a proud mother and has openly discussed how motherhood healed her from depression and suicidal thoughts.

Their Legacy

After years of dominating the charts and the stage, all four artists began to shift gears. Their voices didn’t disappear — they simply evolved.

Each of these women walked different paths, but all three reshaped what it meant to be a female rapper in Nigeria. Boqqui brought depth, intellect, and a fierce sense of purpose. Sasha P showed that female rappers could win, dominate, and inspire — all while staying authentically themselves. Mo’Cheddah blended youth, talent, and entrepreneurship long before "influencer culture" became a thing.