The Hennessy Cypher has rapidly grown into a significant barometer for identifying the top-ranked nation’s rappers. The Cypher was first used in Nigeria in 2016 to promote the country’s top rap artists.
The Cypher brought in talent from Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, and Tanzania as it spread to other African nations by 2023. And with its incredible talents, Ghana has dominated since its expansion.
Since 2023, these three gifted rappers at the Hennessy Africa Cypher have represented Ghana with pride. Acts like Octopizzo (Kenya), M.anifest (Ghana), MI Abaga (Nigeria), and Vector (Nigeria) were part of the first-ever Africa Cypher.
Versatile lyricist M.anifest received a lot of appreciation for his flow and delivery on the beat, even though MI Abaga and Vector gave it their all during the fiercely contested duel. The Africa Cypher tabled artists such as Kaligraph Jones (Kenya), Ladipoe (Nigeria), Maglera Doe Boy (South Africa), and Sarkodie (Ghana) in 2024.
Young Lunya (Tanzania) and Didi B (Ivory Coast). Performers such as Sarkodie (Ghana), Maglera Doe Boy (South Africa), Ladipoe (Nigeria), Kaligraph Jones (Kenya), Didi B (Ivory Coast), and Young Lunya (Tanzania) were included on the Africa Cypher in 2024. Notwithstanding the intense competition, Sarkodie’s lyrical content—rather than just his delivery and flow—distinguished his verse.
In his poem, he criticised record labels for exploiting artists, igniting discussions throughout Africa. Ghana won the championship once more. South Africa’s Kabza De Small produced the 2025 edition, which had an incredible lineup: Joey B
Femi One (Kenya), Ms. Banks (Nigeria), Blaqbonez (Nigeria), Javia (Tanzania), and Ghana. Joey B of Ghana, who received a lot of accolades for his exceptional performance, remained unaffected by this.
African hip-hop fans, many of whom are from Nigeria, praised Joey B’s verse highly, calling it a potent declaration of Ghana’s supremacy in the genre.