Northern Nigeria’s hip-hop powerhouse DJ Ab returns with YNS Cipher 2025, the latest explosive installment in YaranNorthSide’s decade-long tradition of lyrical showcases. This year’s cypher amplifies the collective’s signature fusion of Hausa cultural roots and contemporary rap firepower, featuring razor-sharp verses from Jigsaw, Lil Prince, and A-shagz that elevate the track into a full-fledged movement anthem.
DJ Ab’s mastery shines as he anchors the cypher with his trademark flow, equal parts rapid-fire technicality and cultural storytelling. The production weaves traditional Northern Nigerian instrumentation into trap-heavy beats, creating a sonic bridge between heritage and modernity that few artists navigate so effortlessly. What makes YNS Cipher 2025 particularly compelling is its dual identity: a display of individual lyrical prowess (each MC gets their moment to blaze) that ultimately celebrates collective unity—a metaphor for the Northern Nigerian hip-hop scene itself.
Beyond the bars, the track cements DJ Ab’s role as cultural ambassador. His verses pulse with the rhythms of everyday Northern life while addressing universal struggles, proving why YNS cyphers have become annual events that resonate nationally. When the beat drops and the call-and-response hooks hit, you’re not just hearing a song—you’re witnessing a regional phenomenon going global.
