Hip Hop music in Kenya is growing and so, as expected, there has been a growing speculation on who is the best. Before I continue I have to acknowledge that I expect a lot of criticism of my ranking but I will insist that I have not included general rappers and lyricists. I mean.. Kenrazy is blowing hot but is he doing Hip Hop? Also its important to note is that being hot and at the top only means that you have grown to the mainstream media and there are many underground emcees who can out-rap these ten. It is therefore only fair to be sober when doing such a compilation.
In my listing I have considered the work an artist puts in, street credibility, branding and public awareness and lastly, though not least, the individual lyrical skills.
10. Raj
Also a producer at his production house, MusicBank, Raj hit the waves with ‘Ndizi Flow” in which he featured Smallz Lethal. Then he gave us ‘obe baba’ and a later its remixx featured STL. Interesting still is his latest video, “Sawasawa”
9. Needah
She is the best female Rapper from Kisumu and was ranked second in Western Kenya region. She won Tecno Vybez Awards as the best female artist last Year October and her video “K Town” had previously, in 2014, been named as the best in the same awards. This year she gave us a new mixtape, “Safari”.
7. Abbas Kubaff
Well he is among the best, but even if he is not churning out much work lately he remains relevant and influential. He helped bring Khaligraph to the top and again, has some of the best music ever produced in the 254. You cannot talk of kenyan rappers without his mentioning the K-South rapper.
6. STL (Stella Mwangi)
A seasoned female rapper who has stayed relevant year in year out. She moved to Norway and her career continued there. She was there doing her thing when the likes of Kantai were still hot in the industry.
5. Eko Dydda
He has a unique Stammer and Stagger style and one of the best Gospel artists in Kenya. His lyrics are inspiring and powerful and continues to give us hit after another.
4. Juliani
Juliani is one of the most revered rappers and one of the most energetic perfomers so far. He recently partnered with Orange Kenya to release an album which did quite well.
3. Khaligraph Jones
One of the most aggressive rappers. Jones’ two songs “I am King” and currently, “Yego’, have topped HBR’s top 5 with Corrine. His proficiency rapping in English is great and his beef with Octopizzo still is on.
2. King Kaka
Known as Kenya’s best poet, King Kaka, has helped make spoken word a mainstream thing and as it has been bridged it to Hip Hop. He has also brought a couple of artists like Wangechi and Femi One to the scene through his Kaka Empire outfit. The fact that he has some of the best albums yet, seals his stake on this position.
1. Octopizzo
This guy, being considered among Africa’s top, deserve to top the list. He was recently listed by a SA magazine in the Top 10. That aside, he has been able to brand himself as the ultimate hustler. He has positioned himself for international attention through his partnership with UN-related organizations. He is signed to Germany-based Out Here Records and lately left for a Europe tour.
That’s it. What is your take?
Aipate 
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