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Top 10 Best Rappers in Kenya 2020

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The question of who is among the Top 10 Best Kenyan Rappers has always been up for debate but we promise to settle this here. With the fresh new wave in the Kenyan industry known as Gengetone, we have some new names that have made it to our Best Rappers in Kenya list. Here are the Best Kenyan Rappers in 2020.

 

10. Steph Kapela

As one of the most versatile artists in the rap game, Steph Kapela comes through with fire vocals and is also a songwriter. With only 7 songs and a couple of collaborations, Steph Kapela has made it to our list and is one of our favorites.

Steph Kapela songs have a little bit of everything in them, from Rap, Singing, trap and even soul, amazing right? Steph is super talented.steph kapela is one of the best kenyan rappers

9. King Kaka

Born Kennedy Ombima, King Kaka is a renowned rapper, songwriter and Businessman. King Kaka has been in the Rap industry for a very long time and has brought up other artist and given them a platform through Kaka Empire. King Kaka was born on 7 May 1987.

King Kaka’s successful hit song is known as ‘Dundaing’ which has over 4 million views on YouTube. The name ‘Dundaing’ means Partying.king kaka

8. Miracle Baby

Unlike many of the Legends on this list, Miracle Baby’s journey just started the other day. He is part of a group called Sailors and has technically made the group relevant after the hit song ‘Wamlambez’.

He is known for his fire catchy hooks and just gives a good vibe in every song he does. Miracle Baby will even be even better in the coming years.miracle baby

7. Xtatic

Her real name is Gloria Mecheo and has been a great rapper ever since, though she grew her fanbase after she featured in Khali Cartel 2 by Khaligraph Jones. She is also part of the new game and his fan base has been really growing of late.

Xtatic says she did petry before rap and that has really helped her with her music journey. She is one of the best rappers of the new generation in Kenya.xtatic is a female kenyan rapper

6. STL

Stella Nyambura Mwangi, a very talented female rapper who lives in Norway is the second female that is on the list. She is not only popularly in Kenya but also in Norway for she won the Melodi Grand Prix 2011.  Two successful albums, a lot of songs and collaborations with other artists, made STL one of the most famous artists in Kenya.

STL is also known for singing about the issues that disturb Kenya as a country. Her songs have been used before for an advertisement for Samsung for their Galaxy S9 smartphone.best female rapper in kenya

5. E-Sir

E-Sir was and is one of the best rappers in Kenya we have ever had. Unfortunately on 16 March 2003 he was involved in a car accident on the Great Rift Valley.  He has left behind “a huge musical footprint” due to his impact on his popularity and fanbase during his short career.

Even long after his departure E-Sir is and will be remembered for his music and how he shaped the rap industry in Kenya. E-sir was and is an inspiration to many. REST IN POWER.e sir was a kenyan rapper

4. Taio Tripper

Also known as Matthew Wakhungu is one of our favorites. He was part of the Hip-hop group Camp Mulla which was a major success in East Africa in 2011 and 2012 before their break up in 2013. He is also a deejay, songwriter and sound engineer.

Taio Tripper is one of the most prominent rappers in Kenya of our time, he is super-talented, and has his own unique style, which, made makes him a real star. Taio Tripper is on the road to becoming the best rapper in Kenya.taio tripper

3. Nyashinski

Incredible Nyamari Ongegu popularly known as Nyashinski is one who can sing love songs, rap and also release gospel songs. He was once a member of Kleptomaniax which was a Hip-hop group formed back in 1999 while in high school which won 3 awards.

The group never broke up but everyone somehow went their own way, who knows, we might hear from them soon. Nyashinski is regarded, and is,  as one of the most skillful and one of the best lyricist in East Africa.nyashinski is a kenyan rapper

 

2. Abbas Kubaff

Andrew Kabiru Karuku has now been in the industry for a very long time and is famous for hit songs such as “Tokelezea” and “Tokelezea”. Abbas Kubaff was born in  (8 January 1978) and has been winning awards across East Africa and producing music since 1995.

Abbas Kubaff has been considered as the Best Kenyan Rapper a lot of times. He was part of a rap group that later split in 2005. The rap group was made up of fellow rappers, Bamboo and KC. He has received awards from Chaguo La Teeniez Awards award(2008) and a Golden Mic award(2011).abbas kubaf

 

1. Khaligraph Jones

His real name is  Brian Ouko Omollo and he is also the only Kenyan on the Best Rappers in Africa. Khaligraph Jones was also the first rapper from Kenya to win awards and be internationally recognized by the Hip Hop community. Khaligraph Jones is also known for Khali Cartel which is a cypher he produces that showcases new talent in the rap industry.

He has a flow that is as quick as Twista’s (American) or M.I (Nigerian) and with this, he has gained a huge following with a lot of loyal fans. He first came to light in 2009 when he participated in the 2009 Channel O MC Africa Challenge and reached the finals. Khaligraph Jones is the Best Kenyan Rapper of all time.

Khaligraph Jones also won the SoundCity MVP award for best hip hop act early this year going against some Hip-hop Legends in Africa. The son ‘Leave me alone’ got him the award.

 

khaligraph jones is the best kenyan rapper


Top 10 Best Kenyan Rapper in 2020

  1. Khaligraph Jones
  2. Abbas Kubaff
  3. Nyashinski
  4. E-Sir
  5. Taio Tripper
  6. STL
  7. Xtatic
  8. Miracle Baby
  9. King Kaka
  10. Steph kapelaTop 10 Best Rappers in Kenya 2020Top 10 Best Rappers in Kenya 2020

 

MUSIC

Taarifa kwa Vyombo vya Habari – wimbo mpya wa Into the Blood: “Play Your Clarinet!”

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Taarifa kwa Vyombo vya Habari – wimbo mpya wa Into the Blood: “Play Your Clarinet!”

Katika wimbo wao mpya wenye mchangamsho “Play Your Clarinet!”, Into the Blood wanaunganisha midundo ya kielektroniki inayoshika kwa urahisi na mgeuko wa kusisimua: solo la klaneti lenye mionjo ya jazz kutoka kwa Peter Fuglsang. Uchezaji wake unaongeza mguso wa uchezaji wa moja kwa moja unaokamilisha msingi wa kidijitali wa wimbo huu, na kuunda tukio la kipekee kabisa la kusikiliza.

Wimbo huu utazinduliwa kimataifa tarehe 22 Novemba katika lugha 11 tofauti—ikiwemo Kiswahili, Kifaransa, Kiingereza na Kichina n.k.—pamoja na toleo lisilo na sauti za kuimba.

Jiunge nasi katika safari ya kimataifa
Acha “Play Your Clarinet!” ikupeleke kuvuka mipaka, sauti na tamaduni. Wimbo mmoja. Lugha kumi na moja. Utasikika kwenye majukwaa yote makubwa ya kusikiliza muziki mtandaoni, na video za maneno ya wimbo zitapatikana kwenye YouTube. Jifunge mkanda na ufurahie safari!

Orodha ya video za “Play Your Clarinet!” – video za maneno ya wimbo katika lugha zote 11 kwenye YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuQcCz0vhEKyPigEcJ1-Du7YhrzZdLrex

“Destination 11” – video ya muziki:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8l72BtPBd8

Kuhusu Into the Blood
Duo la Into the Blood—Jens Brygmann (sauti za kuimba na ngoma za kidijitali) na Carsten Bo Andersen (kinanda na sintesa)—imekuwa ikifanya kazi tangu mwaka 2016. Muziki wao umekuwa ukipigwa kwenye vituo mbalimbali vya redio duniani, vikiwemo vya Uingereza, Australia na Ufaransa.

Toleo la asili la “Play Your Clarinet!” pia linapatikana kwenye rekodi ya vinili ya inchi 12 kama sehemu ya mradi wao mkubwa wa Destination 11, unaojumuisha video ya muziki ya dakika 11. Video hiyo imewahi kuonyeshwa katika matamasha mbalimbali ya kimataifa ya filamu fupi, na hadi sasa tayari imeshinda tuzo mbili nchini India, kufikia hatua ya fainali kwenye East Village New York Film Festival na Las Vegas International Film & Screenwriting Festival, nusu fainali kwenye Seattle Film Festival na robo fainali kwenye Synergy Film Festival huko Los Angeles.

Mradi wa Destination 11 umefadhiliwa na White City Consulting na Custom Coaching.

Upakuzi kupitia Dropbox – Hapa unaweza kupakua nyenzo za promosheni:
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/sai0udu4imfwdmktxf5cj/ADqWOKnmQZjDm3PsXL3yzvs?rlkey=75i1ctld2guy8tcp6snp112j9&st=jtgfu546&dl=0

Salamu za muziki kutoka
Into the Blood
Jens Brygmann & Carsten Bo Andersen 📧 [email protected]

Into the Blood – mitandao ya kijamii:
https://linktr.ee/intotheblood

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Van Hechter’s “Boy Problems” Is a Deep and Danceable Bilingual Anthem for Anyone Tired of Lukewarm Love

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Van Hechter’s “Boy Problems” Is a Deep and Danceable Bilingual Anthem for Anyone Tired of Lukewarm Love

Montreal-based pop sensation and LGBTQ activist Van Hechter is back with “Boy Problems,” a stunning new single. The track merges his signature upbeat charm with rare emotional depth. Hechter, known for hits like “Disco Brother,” “Hot Damn,” and “Love Elastic,” reveals a new side to his magnetic electro-pop personality, offering a message that is both radiant and raw.

At 4 minutes and 24 seconds, “BoyProblems” is a bilingual (French & English) eruption of glitter, melancholy, and empowerment. It’s built on irresistible synths, glossy production, and pulsing basslines. The song invites listeners into a world where heartbreak beats in rhythm with liberation. The melodies feel euphoric on the surface, yet are stained with a haunting vulnerability, proving that dancing and deep feeling can exist together.

At its core, the song is a manifesto about refusing to settle for half-love. Van delivers lyrics that make you sway, smile, and suddenly pause; the truth stings. If love isn’t loud, real, and fully given, he’d rather walk away. It’s a reminder wrapped in rhythm: loving yourself means refusing the small version of what you deserve.

Filled with Hechter’s signature humor, glamour, and optimism, “Boy Problems” is a club anthem and a soul-stirrer all at once. The bilingual lyrics expand its emotional reach. The track feels at home anywhere, from Parisian dance floors and New York rooftops to headphones on a bus or speakers at Pride.

This is a jam that makes you feel like you’re flying, free from pretense. It’s definitively dance-pop and unmistakably Van Hechter, though the smile has a real heartbeat underneath. Listeners will hear that signature flair; he’s still cheeky, stylish, and unapologetically queer. His artistry is simply sharpened with new emotional honesty. This is a growth moment, delivered with a wink and a synth hook.

“Boy Problems” is a significant step beyond a simple catchy single. It’s a toast to self-worth. A glittering rebellion against lukewarm love. A reminder that the dance floor can be a place to heal. This sonic centerpiece belongs on your playlist, and on your friends’ too.

Catch Up With Van Hechter on:

Established Hip Hop Artist ReachingNOVA Creates a Free-flowing Lyrical Course with His Single "C'est La Vie"

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TR Craze brings his South Sudanese story to the gritty drill anthem “Tule Tule” with Jamaican-UK rapper Caine Marko

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TR Craze brings his South Sudanese story to the gritty drill anthem "Tule Tule" with Jamaican-UK rapper Caine Marko

Sometimes a song shows up like that friend who kicks open the door without knocking, grinning and saying, “get your shoes, we’re leaving.” “Tule Tule,” the new single from South Sudanese artist TR Craze featuring Jamaican-UK rapper Caine Marko, moves exactly like that. The track is bold and charged, carrying the weight of lived experience while stomping over a dark, menacing drill beat that feels built for the streets as much as the club.

TR Craze’s backstory reads like a movie script Hollywood studios would fight over. He was born in South Sudan, shaped by the trauma of civil war, and pushed into the harsh realities of refugee life. He literally survived the treacherous routes through Libya and across the Mediterranean Sea to reach Europe. This man distills survival into rhythm. On “Tule Tule,” you can feel that heart, that urgency, and that fire in his delivery, channelled into a raw, assertive drill performance that cuts through even if you don’t understand a single word of the opening verse. At its core, “Tule Tule” is a raw, assertive drill track that isn’t afraid to bare its teeth.

The word “Tule” comes from Nuer. It refers to youth games and the electric thrill of chasing something, whether that’s victory, joy, or destiny. TR Craze uses that spirit like a drumbeat beneath his voice. The choruses hit with a communal, call-and-response warmth but here that playfulness is flipped into a gritty, chant-like hook – “Tule Tule” – that feels like the rallying cry of a crew on the move. Even without translating the lyrics, the tone tells you everything. This is about motion, pursuit, celebration, and refusing to stay stuck in the past, all wrapped in an unapologetic, high-adrenaline atmosphere. Lyrically, the track leans into street life, dominance and crew loyalty, matching the tension in the beat.

Behind them, producer Kyxxx builds a dark, tense soundscape, stitching drill drums with Brazilian bounce and Bhangra-flavoured rhythmic elements that keep the track constantly on edge. The result is a gritty, energetic and unapologetic atmosphere that pulls you straight into their world.

Then Caine Marko slides in for the second verse, and the whole energy pivots into a sharp, swagger-heavy bounce. His flow is clean but gritty, confident and confrontational, shifting between braggadocio and sly charm.

“She knows I’m a wolf and I run the pack,” he starts, classic alpha talk, but delivered with a laid-back grin. “She come first like running track,” he continues, flipping between affection and athletic metaphors like a man who’s too used to moving fast.

Then he opens up the verse more: “Doing dirt and getting with a bitty, I only pretty… then back to the city. Got me some liquor then it got me some weed.” It’s lifestyle rap, but the reckless, unapologetic kind. It’s the messy, outside-at-night, live-in-the-moment vibe that balances TR Craze’s more grounded narrative. When he ends with “you going to hang with the gang,” the energy snaps into a group-hyped finale, a reminder that music like this isn’t meant to be consumed alone, underlining the crew-first loyalty at the heart of the record.

“Tule Tule” works because it blends worlds without softening its raw, street-hardened edge. It merges East African emotion, Caribbean-UK swagger, drill and hip-hop grit, Brazilian and Bhangra textures in Kyxxx’s production, diaspora storytelling, and a spirit of joy that refuses to be dimmed by pain.

Let “Tule Tule” run while you’re walking, cooking, texting, or plotting big dreams – or getting ready to step out with your crew.

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