Veteran lyricist stresses love, respect and shared success amid ongoing challenges for the genre
Lagos, August 12, 2026 — Nigerian hip-hop veteran Modenine has reignited conversations about the state of the genre with a new single and a pointed message of unity. On Tuesday, the multi-award-winning artist shared the official video for “Katsina United,” the lead visual from his forthcoming Bragadinho project, and followed it with a call for the Nigerian hip-hop community to rebuild on foundations of love, respect and mutual prosperity.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Modenine quoted his own video announcement and wrote: “God dey. Let’s rebuild hiphop in Nigeria !! 🇳🇬. Foundation of Love and respect. 🫡 everybody must eat !!!” The message, delivered in characteristic Pidgin English mixed with English, quickly circulated among fans and industry observers.
“Katsina United,” produced and directed by Modenine himself, blends raw boom-bap drums with a repetitive African chant. The track showcases the artist’s signature dense, intricate lyricism. In the verses, he addresses perceived haters and competitors, asserting his endurance and skill while dismissing superficial online posturing and those chasing streaming metrics over craft. Lines reference personal resilience, the futility of unnecessary beef, and a dedication of the chorus to “jealous rappers” and “energy zappers.” The song’s title appears to nod both to the northern Nigerian football club of the same name and to broader themes of collective strength.
Modenine, born Babatunde Olusegun Adewale in Paddington, London, in 1975, relocated to Lagos as a child. Of Osun State origin, he emerged in the late 1990s and early 2000s as one of the foremost technical lyricists in African hip-hop. He has won the Headies “Lyricist on the Roll” award multiple times—reports credit him with seven victories—and is widely regarded by peers and critics as one of the greatest African lyricists of his generation. Collaborations have included work with international artists such as Canibus, while albums including Malcolm IX, Pentium IX, É Pluribus Unum and later projects such as Hence4th and Popkorn! cemented his reputation for complex wordplay, social observation and uncompromising standards.
Earlier this year, fellow Nigerian hip-hop heavyweight M.I Abaga publicly described Modenine as “Nigeria’s most respected rapper of all time,” praising his craft as a complete education for aspiring artists and calling him a legend whose influence remains foundational.
The new release arrives at a time when Nigerian hip-hop continues to navigate a music industry dominated by Afrobeats and more commercial sounds. For years, pure hip-hop artists and fans have debated the genre’s visibility, infrastructure and internal cohesion. Modenine himself addressed similar concerns in 2022, arguing that division hindered the culture’s growth and urging rappers to organize, support platforms dedicated to the form, and focus on collective action rather than external criticism.
His latest statement emphasizes positive principles: “love and respect” as the necessary foundation, coupled with the widely understood industry phrase “everybody must eat,” which signals a desire for broader economic opportunity within the scene rather than zero-sum competition. The optimistic “God dey” frames the call with characteristic Nigerian resilience and faith.
Early reactions on the platform included one reply linking the need for unity to recent interpersonal tensions in the broader Nigerian rap conversation, referencing reported friction involving other prominent names. While engagement on the specific post remained modest in its first hours, the combination of new music from a respected elder statesman and a clear cultural manifesto has drawn attention from longtime hip-hop heads.
Industry observers note that Modenine has consistently prioritized artistic integrity over mainstream trends. He has spoken in the past about refusing to dilute his style for commercial gain, even as the marketplace shifted. The self-produced and self-directed nature of “Katsina United” continues that independent approach. The track is positioned as the first video from the Bragadinho project, suggesting further material is forthcoming.
Whether the call translates into tangible organizing, collaborative projects or renewed focus on infrastructure remains to be seen. What is clear is that one of Nigerian hip-hop’s most enduring technical voices is using both his music and his platform to advocate for a healthier, more united scene at a moment when many feel the genre needs exactly that.
Modenine’s message is straightforward: the rebuilding starts with mutual respect, shared opportunity and a collective commitment to the culture. In an industry often defined by competition, the veteran is choosing to highlight the possibility of everyone thriving.