Top ten most lyrically lethal rappers (Updated)

If their lyrics ain’t hot and hard hitting, don’t expect them to be here. This is strictly for the hard core lyricists, good both on the flow and the composition of the lyrics. You might be surprised to see some names of new artistes, but it is only with qualification that they are here.

These are the top ten most lyrically lethal rappers, without a doubt.

10. Khaligraph Jones

The skill this dude has over the mic is just too much. Khaligraph can take up any kind of beat, at any tempo and any language, and still play around with it like a practise session (in a real recorded song). He freestyles are also on point, something most rappers fail to polish on.

9. Chiwawa

From day one of hearing this rapper on the radio, with that fast and aggressive flow, it was so obvious that other rappers had to take cover, and they did (for a little while) up until he and Abbas crossed each other’s path. Then more lyrical talent was revealed.

8. Rabbit

Chiwawa took this young rapper under his wing and not much time passed before Rabbit made his debut on the Kenyan music industry, proving to be even better than most of the then established rappers. He went further to display his lyrics prowess through spoken word materials like Swahili Shakespeare and the mixtape, ‘The Last King Of…’.

7. Bamboo

The African Bantu’s return was epic, but sadly not everyone agreed with his latest tracks. Some saying that he may have lost some of his mojo while away from the mother land. I don’t know about you haters, but unless Bamboo wakes up dumb tomorrow morning, he will always belong on this list.

6. Kantai

Chris Kantai. Just when we had thought that he had given up on music, he jumps back up from the slumber he had been taking all that time, and starts all over again with some collaborations. With his new album on the works, he is about to prove why he is still on this list. Kantai is without a doubt a legend in the Kenyan rap society.

5. Kama of Kalamashaka

From Ukoo Flani came most of the top five rappers in Kenya. They have lots of experience in this rap game and are actually legends in the East African Hip Hop community. Kama, one of the rappers from the hip hop group Kalamashaka is one of the fore founding fathers of the Kenyan hip hop. No fronting. Straight up lyrical.

4. Abbas Kubaff

A rapper discovered from a freestyle battle must really be worth listening to. Unlike most rappers who were recognised from the long gone ‘F2 showtime’, Abbas actually stood his ground and made something out of his spit and for this, he has been involved in more beef than the farmers’ choice.

3. Juliani

Whoever shall feel like disagreeing with this choice, this is the best time to shut up and take it like the hater you are. This is so far the only Kenyan rapper that has made millions from his music, without having to sway from real hip hop (I’m talking about house music, trance and whatever else sells these days). Again from Ukoo Flani, just like the next rapper.

2. Kitu Sewer

He even calls himself Kitu Sewer The Poet and there is no fighting that. This guy is so deep into poetry that he even quotes African poets in his lyrics and spins them around to his liking. There is no topic on this green earth that Kitu Sewer can fail to fluently freestyle on, even the topic ‘freestyle’ itself. This guy’s lyrics takes you on a hip hop journey that you can only enjoy from the likes of Common and Talib Kweli. Punchlines you ask?… the punchlines on his songs… Oh my God! I’m not about to get into that. Too bad he is not as good in selling his music. He would make a killing.

1. Vigeti of Kalamashaka

I have no idea how this guy slipped my mind when thinking about the top ten most lyrically lethal rappers. Just like most hip hop heads would say, Kenyan hip hop without Vigeti just wouldn’t be the same. Here is the king (sadly, this is the only photo I could find of this guy). Nevertheless, we shall bask in his glory.

One of our partners, Carlthatruth.com has decided to come up with an alternative list, Check out Carlathatruth.com’s list here and drop a comment in the comment section saying which list is more doper!