Rappers You Wouldn’t Believe Have African Roots

Hip-hop is global, but its roots run deep into Africa. Many of today’s biggest rappers have ancestral ties to specific African countries and regions, even if they were born in the US, UK, or Canada.

Here are famous rappers and the African countries, states, and ancestral regions connected to their heritage.

Lil Wayne – Nigeria (Ancestral Roots: Southern Nigeria)

Lil Wayne’s African ancestry traces back to Nigeria, with DNA lineage connected to Southern Nigeria, a region historically linked to the Yoruba and Igbo people.

• Country: Nigeria
• Region/State: Southern Nigeria (exact state unknown)
• Village: Not publicly confirmed

Like many African Americans, specific villages were lost during the transatlantic slave trade, but the Nigerian connection remains strong.

Lil Nas X – Sierra Leone (Mende Region)

Lil Nas X has confirmed that his ancestry traces back to Sierra Leone, particularly regions historically associated with the Mende people.

• Country: Sierra Leone
• Region: Southern Province
• Village: Not publicly disclosed

This makes Sierra Leone a major part of his African heritage.

Dave – Nigeria (Likely Yoruba Region)

Dave, the UK rap star, was born to Nigerian parents. His ancestry is widely linked to the Yoruba ethnic group, which is dominant in southwestern Nigeria.

• Country: Nigeria
• State/Region: Southwestern Nigeria (Ogun/Lagos region)
• Village: Not publicly confirmed

Dave often references African identity and Nigerian culture in his music.

Kendrick Lamar – Ghana (Coastal Ghana)

Kendrick Lamar traced his ancestry to Ghana during his visit to Africa, discovering roots linked to coastal Ghana, an area heavily impacted by the slave trade.

• Country: Ghana
• Region: Central/Coastal Ghana
• Village: Not documented

This discovery deeply influenced his artistic and cultural perspective.

Lil Baby – The Gambia (Mandinka Region)

Lil Baby’s ancestry traces back to The Gambia, commonly associated with the Mandinka people, one of the largest ethnic groups in the country.

• Country: The Gambia
• Region: Western Gambia
• Village: Not publicly known

Drake – Nigeria (Ancestral Roots Through Diaspora)

Drake has acknowledged Nigerian ancestry, although his family lineage is largely shaped by the African diaspora.

• Country: Nigeria
• Region: Not publicly specified
• Village: Unknown

Despite being born in Canada, Drake has embraced African culture openly.

Skepta – Nigeria (Ogun State, Yoruba)

Skepta’s Nigerian roots are well documented. His parents are from Ogun State, a Yoruba-speaking state in southwestern Nigeria.

• Country: Nigeria
• State: Ogun State
• Ethnic Group: Yoruba
• Village: Not publicly disclosed

Skepta frequently celebrates his Nigerian heritage.

21 Savage – Nigeria (Southern Nigeria)

21 Savage has revealed that his ancestry traces back to Nigeria, most likely southern regions based on historical migration patterns.

• Country: Nigeria
• Region: Southern Nigeria
• Village: Not confirmed

Future – Uganda (Central Uganda)

Future’s lineage has been linked to Uganda, particularly regions near Central Uganda, historically tied to the Baganda people.

• Country: Uganda
• Region: Central Uganda
• Village: Not publicly known

Big Sean – Senegal (Wolof Region)

Big Sean has spoken about his ancestral ties to Senegal, likely connected to the Wolof ethnic group, Senegal’s largest population group.

• Country: Senegal
• Region: Western Senegal
• Village: Not publicly documented

Why Villages Are Often Unknown

Due to slavery and colonial history, many African descendants cannot trace exact villages, but DNA testing and historical records help identify countries and regions.

This does not reduce authenticity—it highlights the shared African heritage across the diaspora.

Final Thoughts

These rappers may represent America, Canada, or the UK, but their African roots trace back to real countries, regions, and cultures across Africa.

Africa remains the heartbeat of hip-hop.