Rap-mbalax is undoubtedly killing hardcore hip hop in The Gambia. Young rappers, hungry for money and fame, are now embracing the new Senegambian music genre.

Lil Omz of the Cypher Rap Movement is the latest to switch genre. He was the winner of the 2014 Cypher Rap Battle. 

Less than two years after his debut on the stage, the young rapper has grabbed the forbidden fruit (rap-mbalax), announcing the controversial crossover with a new single.

His former mentor and the leader of the Cypher Rap Movement, Killa Ace was not happy by his protégé’s move. He took to Facebook to inform fans that he was equally surprised by Lil Omz’ decision to ditch hardcore hip hop.

According to reports reaching What’s On-Gambia, Lil Omz was convinced by his uncle to embrace rap-mbalax.  The new genre is enjoying huge popularity thanks to rappers like Gee.

One of the strongest critics of rap-mbalax is Bigg Rozay. According to him, it is only fake rappers that switch genre.