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Bongani Ndlovu Showbiz Correspondent
ZIMBABWEAN rappers, Stunner and Cal_Vin, have been listed among Africa’s top 20 hip hop artistes for 2015 by a South African magazine, SA Hip hop Mag, with BET nominee, AKA, at the apex of the list.

Stunner, a veteran in Zim hip hop was placed on number 15 while Cal_Vin, who has been in the limelight for nearly a year wrapped up the list.

Ghana’s Sakordie is second after AKA, with Ice Prince coming in third. Cassper Nyovest is fourth and M.I from Nigeria is on fifth position.

SA hip hop Mag is an online publication that promotes hip hop music in Africa with interviews of stars and reviews of their music.

According to the www.sahiphopmag.co.za website, Stunner — the Godo hit-maker is described as “definitely Zimbabwe’s most influential rapper and most successful at the moment”.

“His art has taken him around the world and his music has managed to get him nominations at award ceremonies, in and outside Zimbabwe.”

Cal_Vin was described as “having brought Zim hip hop to the continent with an impeccable flow. You can feel the hunger in his razor sharp lyrics.”

After the announcement Cal_Vin took to social media networking sites saying he was elated for being recognised among Africa’s finest rappers.

“Being nominated as one of Africa’s best is a plus for my career. Being mentioned in the same breath as rappers such as AKA, Cassper Nyovest, Sakordie and Ice Prince is well appreciated,” said Cal_Vin.

“Hype Magazine from South Africa did a feature on me and it’ll be out this month. I was described as one of the rappers to look out for this year, so being in the top 20 Africa hip hop artistes is icing on the cake,” he said.

Top 20

1 AKA – South Africa

2 Sarkodie – Ghana

3 Ice Prince – Nigeria

4 Cassper Nyovest – South Africa

5 M.I – Nigeria

6 KO – South Africa

7 Manifest – Ghana

8 K’naan – Somalia

9 Zeus – Botswana

10 Phyno – Nigeria

11 Olamide – Nigeria

12 Dee Money – Ghana

13 Octopizzo – Kenya

14 Tumi – South Africa

15 Stunner – Zimbabwe

16 Youssoupha – Congo

17 Dama Do Bling – Mozambique

18 Fid Q – Tanzania

19 Cleo Ice Queen – Zambia

20. Cal_Vin – Zimbabwe.