The Best of Kenyan Hip Hop So Far in 2016

by Phil Chard

Much like the rest of the continent that Hip Hop movement on the Eastern Ends of Africa is experiencing a great deal of growth within its various industries and nations. I linked up with Radio host and Blogger MIss Ruby to compile some of our favorite videos from the beginning of the year.

Odinareh Bingwa - Pressure

We featured this song from Odinareh earlier in the year here and we loved the trap feel and delivery from O. This song will be on his Diani – Papa La Kusini mixtape

Khaligraph Jones - Mazishi

Khaligraph is a veteran of the Kenyan scene having made his name known as far back as 2009. However 2016 is already proving to be one of his most successful years to date with appearances on MI's Illegal Music III mixtape, Coke Studio Africa and an East African tour in the works.

Raj - Bwakire / Good Morning

When Kenyan rapper Raj released the repetitive and catchy song Bwakire. I wasn't sold on the song initially until I found myself singing the it involuntarily days later. This song about early worms is a real earworm.

125 Ft Red Acapela - Taabu

Kenyan outfit 125 linked up with the folk music duo Red Acapela on Taabu. The song has an experimental yet refreshing sound that borrows from traditional elements produced by House of Dille

BV Accurate – Kwaheri

Former Cr3w member BV Accurate released the third video off his Day Departure EP titled Kwejeri. The song and EP can be streamed via Soundcloud here

Party Like A Moda (Explicit) - Abbas Kubaff ft Victoria Kimani (Official Video 2016)

Abbas Kubaff has been an institution in the Kenyan Hip Hop scene for a few years now, the outspoken artist linked up with Choc City artist and fellow Kenyan act Victoria Kimani on the aptly titled turn up tune Party Like A Moda.

Nyashinski - Now You Know (

Former member of the iconic Kleptomaniax rap trio Nyashinski returned from his extended sabbatical from Hip Hop and Kenya after moving back form the USA with one of the most impressive songs n this list . The song Now You Know which speaks on the ills of the game has a poignant and beautiful video that displays just how effective simplicity can be.

C2K - KIDERO GRASS FT. KAGWE MUNGAI

Since relocating back to Kenya from South Africa C2K seems to be building solid reputation and following for himself with popular releases like Lupita and his current single Kidero Grass featuring Kagwe Mungai on the song that pokes fun at Evans Kidero's Kidero Grass initiative that wanted residents of Nairobi to plant grass throughout the city in preparation for Barack Obama's' visit.

Kagwe Mungai – Doctor

And Finally we have accomplished producer, singer and rapper Kagwe Nugai (also the artist that inspired this whole piece) and his song Doctor. In my opinion this joint has the potential to be a certified continental smash as Kagwe merges Dancehall , Bongo Flava and Hip Hop.