Global Hip-Hop: Rappers Around the World Share Photos From Self-Quarantine
Djonga
With musicians across the world in self-isolation, some of the brightest hip-hop talents from Africa, Europe, Asia and South America share snapshots from life in lockdown.
Age: 25
Location: Belo Horizonte, Brazil
The “LEAL” rapper released his fourth album, Histórias da Minha Àrea (Stories From My Hood), in March. “I’m not able to do shows [and] make videos,” he says, “so I’m staying inside the house,” where he has been spending time with his children, Jorge (left) and Iolanda. “I’m in a moment of reflection.”
Sho Madjozi
Age: 28
Location: Johannesburg
“Realizing how many creatives are not making money, I’ve tried to create opportunities,” says the Epic Records signee, who achieved a U.S. crossover with her viral 2019 hit “John Cena.” That includes a beatmaking competition for her upcoming track “Sena Ala,” for which she is receiving over 3,000 submissions a week from producers around the globe.
Kontra K
Age: 32
Location: Berlin
Fortunately for the German rap heavyweight, he was able to finish a tour just as the pandemic began causing cancellations. And because he “produced videos in different countries” over the winter, he says he has “so much material left” to release, including new single “Namen” in May.
Koffee
Age: 20
Location: Kingston, Jamaica
After scoring a Grammy Award in January for her 2019 debut EP, Rapture, Koffee had to cancel a number of shows due to the crisis. But she performed for Global Citizen’s Together at Home virtual series in April, and says it was “amazing” to help with “raising money and awareness for the pandemic.”
Marracash
Age: 42
Location: Milan, Italy
Though many artists are still learning how to create music in isolation, Marracash has plenty of experience doing so. The “SUPREME - L’ego” hitmaker says he wrote his March album, Persona, in self-imposed isolation prior to the pandemic. “This is a very introspective moment,” he says. “This allows me to get deeper and deeper into the chapter of Persona.”
Cassper Nyovest
Age: 29
Location: Johannesburg
Nyovest has turned to digital engagement to gauge the success of his latest singles “Amademoni” and “Ubani,” the former of which shouts out the late Brooklyn rapper Pop Smoke. “I can’t go out and see how well people are receiving it,” he says. “All we have are numbers online and on social media.”
VaVa
Age: 24
Location: Shanghai
Vava has taken the opportunity to practice her English while preparing to release an album later this year through Warner Music China. “I’ve been watching a lot of Will Smith movies as well as Friends,” she says. “I have enough material [to] write a new song every day.”
Kris Wu
Age: 29
Location: Ningbo, China
The Chinese-Canadian actor-artist, a former member of the boy band EXO, is busy as ever: In April, he released his new EP, Testing; on May 9, he performed during the online coronavirus relief concert Believe in the Future; and now, since “most of China’s industries have returned to normal order,” says Wu, “I’m currently filming a TV series.”
Ms Banks
Age: 26
Location: London
At home, the British hip-hop artist is drawing musical inspiration from Drake, Doja Cat and Lana Del Rey. And in the absence of large production crews, she says she’s “going back to the old-school days” to create music videos in her room, while signing up for platforms like TikTok and Triller. “It gives supporters a chance to see me in a different light.”
Badshah
Age: 35
Location: Chandigarh, India
Though Badshah had to pause his plans for a few international collaborations in 2020, he's still been able to release a handful of singles with fellow India native, Payal Dev. He has also focused on TikTok for his promotional efforts, amassing nearly 4 million followers: "That has become a new music discovery tool for a lot of people," he says. "Initially, I thought it was just for kids [but] I surrendered to the madness."
DaBoyWay
Age: 39
Location: Bangkok
Just weeks before the Thai government imposed stay-athome orders, the member of rap group Thaitanium released his self-titled debut solo album. He says he has since been spending time with his children, Bena (left) and Brooklyn Guy, and “catch[ing] up on my features and collaborations” from his home studio. “The music never stopped.”
DIVINE
Age: 29
Location: Mumbai
"When the pandemic hit, everyone was trying to equip themselves mentally, emotionally and financially," says DIVINE, who became Mass Appeal India's first signee last September. In early April, the "Chal Bombay" rapper released "Salaam" in support of essential workers like doctors, nurses and the police, who are "real life warriors," he says.
Ninho
Age: 24
Location: Paris
The French superstar treated fans to a quarantine gift with M.I.L.S 3 on March 7. The album marked his second consecutive chart-topper in his native country, but he maintains that there’s still work to do for the genre: “Rap in France has yet to reach the recognition it deserves,” he says. “But we’re getting there.”
Anıl Piyancı
Age: 29
Location: İzmir, Turkey
“Everyone thought people would start listening more [to music] at home, but it didn’t turn out that way,” says the rapper about streaming trends in Turkey. But that hasn’t kept him from releasing two new singles in May. “It’s not productive every day,” with worries about the virus on his mind, he says, “but this is part of the creative process.”
Boity
Age: 30
Location: Johannesburg
The artist/TV personality, who is one of the first signees to Def Jam Africa, celebrated her 30th birthday in April with the launch of The Boity Thulo Foundation. It aims “to address challenges faced by the women and youth of South Africa through education, mentoring and empowerment,” she says. “I have big dreams.”
Raftaar
Age: 31
Location: Mumbai, India
The independent rapper, who is known for his Hindi and Punjabi rap, was well-prepared to promote his April album, Mr. Nair, virtually. “You don’t require a label or marketing agencies to push good content,” he says. “Your fan army is more than enough.”
Yung Raja
Age:24
Location: Singapore
In addition to appearing on Universal Music Singapore’s advisory single “Stay Home,” Yung Raja has frequently shared his pandemic experiences with fans on Instagram. “Having a platform where so many people follow you can be used for good,” he says. “Inspire, spread good vibes, lift each other up.”
SonaOne
Age: 31
Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
When the French-Malaysian artist started making videos for IGTV amid the pandemic, it was just to pass the time. “I ended up making a new song and video every day for a week,” he says, and quickly had enough material for a new album, The Loccdown, which he released April 20 to mark the 10-year anniversary of his first mixtape.
Rema
Age: 20
Location: Lagos, Nigeria
Though the singer-rapper, whose song “Iron Man” appeared on Barack Obama’s 2019 summer playlist, was looking forward to performing at festivals like Coachella and Pharrell Williams’ Something in the Water this year, he’s using his downtime to learn audio engineering. “In this time, I need as much knowledge as possible,” he says.
Mr. Rain
Age: 29
Location: Brescia, Italy
The rapper started his self-quarantine on a creative high, releasing “Fiori di Chernobyl,” which he calls “a hymn of hope,” on March 13. But lately, he has taken “time for myself,” he says. “These days creativity comes and goes — a week can happen where I can’t write anything. Other days, I write two songs.”
Raja Kumari
Age: 34
Location: Los Angeles
As she gears up to release an EP, the recent Mass Appeal India signee has taken her music across the globe with her All Around the World (Wide Web) virtual tour. "It's been really exciting to interact with old fans and engage with new people who might not have heard the music before," she says. Kumari also released single "N.R.I." in April.
Air
Age: 27
Location: Shenzhen, China
After releasing new album AIR PLAN last December, The Rap of China winner maintains that he is "still optimistic" for a few live performances later this year. In the meantime, he's continually working on new music, with his process remaining largely unchanged amid the pandemic. "After every move, the first thing I always do it arrange a recording room to ensure that I have a good music creation environment," he says.
Sfera Ebbasta
Age: 27
Location: Milan
Nabbing the likes of Quavo, Rich the Kid and Tinie Tempah on his most album, Rockstar, in 2018, Sfera Ebbasta is no stranger to major collaborations -- though he prefers face-to-face interaction. "I believe in the amazing chemistry of the studio," he says. "It's really difficult to collaborate through a screen." That said, he's been steadily working on his forthcoming album, which he teases is "really close."
Joe Flizzow
Age: 40
Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
The rapper and Def Jam Recordings South East Asia managing director has used his extra free time as an opportunity to learn more about the inner workings of the hip-hop industry in Asia. "I've probably watched every single rap video or lyric video produced by any Malaysian act," he says. "It's given me time to study other markets like the Philippines, Indonesia and Vietnam, and understand what's going on at a grass roots level."
Lil Kleine
Age: 25
Location: Amsterdam
Following the release of his new album Jongen Van De Straat in April -- a project he says took three years to create -- the Dutch rapper is focusing on spending time with his wife and watching the "day in, day out progress" of his son (pictured). He's also been busy promoting the new LP through his YouTube documentary series, Jorik's Life.
Chirag Rashmikant Patel, of Karpe
Age: 35
Location: Oslo, Norway
The Norwegian hip-hop duo comprised of Chirag Rashmikant Patel (pictured) and Magdi Ytreeide Abdelmaguid hasn't worked on music much during lockdown, with the latter welcoming his fourth child and the former struggling to draw inspiration from the pandemic. "It's hard to make a rap record about a virus," says Patel. "I don't see how that angle is natural -- how is it going to be anything but corny?"
Niska
Age: 26
Location: Paris
Despite recently teaming up with French artist Bramsito for "Criminel" last week, Niska has constantly battled with boredom, taking on new challenges — including an attempt at cooking, which he livestreamed on Instagram — as a result. "Cooking isn't my chosen field, but if that entertains people, it's a good thing," he says.
Shiva
Age: 20
Location: Milan, Italy
Amid the pandemic, Shiva has found one of the bigger hits of his career to-date with "Auto Blu," which puts his own spin Eiffel 65's timeless smash "Blue (Da Ba Dee)." The success of the remix has inspired him to create more, including some of an international scale. "'Auto Blu' has brought a new audience," he says. "I'd like to go to [the] U.S., work with international artists and test myself."
A version of this article originally appeared in the May 23, 2020 issue of Billboard.