Kenyan Rapper Goes Global. Works With Guys Who Have Worked With the Wu-Tang Clan, Rihanna and 50 Cent

Nairobi bred MC Khaligraph is one Kenyan artist known to make major moves and he starts off this year with a special gift for all his fans.

This gift is called ‘African Violet’ his first international release since Khaligraph hit the music scene in 2009. The hip hop inspired love song which pays ode to African women, features Swedish crooner Christos, written and executive produced by Cedric Muhammad former manager of New York group; Wu-Tang Clan.

‘My African Violet’ was arranged by Curtis Richardson who has written for Rihanna and J. Lo and the song was mixed by Gabe MG, engineer for 50 Cent, Chris Brown and Trey Songz. It was re-mixed and mastered in Nairobi,Kenya’s Studio 44 by Arkishpro and Mansa Chusa. Cedric has been following Khaligraph’s career and has seen a lot of potential in him therefore and choosing him to be the perfect MC to jump on this song. There is nothing more beautiful than a young artist’s work getting recognition by other artists across the world. Khaligraph’s star is shining even far away from home and there’s no stopping him.

Khali is not an overnight success story he has come a long way since hustling in the streets of Kayole. He chose to venture into the hip hop scene around 2006 while still in high school and he would be seen killing mics at monthly events especially at an event called WAPI. He would make a name for being a serious rapper and a serious contender for being one of the best In Kenya. He continued to hone his skills and take chances. The day would come in 2009 when he enrolled for the biggest rap challenge Africa has ever seen;Emcee Africa where he battled over 30 MCs to emerge the top MC in Africa. He couldn’t travel to Botswana for the finals because he was still in high school. Had he travelled to the finals, we would be having a whole different discussion all together. Khali went back to school.

After completing high school in 2010, Khali slowly started making serious attempts towards the rap game by dropping a series of mixtapes. First it was The Takeover then cameThe Undisputed followed Khaligraph Jones Part 1 and 2. He appeared on several freestyle cyphers including the famous ‘The Peoples Choice Cypher’ that send shivers down Mcs spines. He made sure he made an impression on every microphone he touched. It was through these mixtapes and cyphers that the world heard about this rapper who flows perfectly in both Swahiliand English. His unique style of cleverly written rhymes calculated punchlines and witty choruses earned him the coveted titled of Baba Yao– Their Father. It was clear that this battle MC was a hit maker; on ‘Shiro’which got him airplay on Kenyan radio stations.

Khali has continued to grow hit after hit but he didn’t make a stamp on the mainstream until he released‘We Be Happening’ a track that attracted a remix with A-list Kenyan rappers. He is definitely one of Kenya’s fiercest rappers yearning to shine on any track. He’s dedicated to his craft, and has an impressive work ethic one of the attributes that sets him apart from the rest of his peers. On his recent release ‘Embesha’ he proves that he’s not all about being serious on track but can have a great time doing what he does. Khaligraph continues to show strength as one of Kenya’s MCs that will definitely go far and this track ‘African Violet’ clearly demonstrates this fact. Teaming up with Cedric Muhammad means Khali is on a path of global takeover and we can only wish you join him on this journey.

Cedric Muhammad

“This song is a celebratory apology – an anthem for the beauty and growth in struggle that we often miss, due to life’s painful experiences and our selfishness. It’s about nurture and neglect in relationships. We look up and before we know it, someone has grown up in spite of and often due toour lack of attention. Isolated and left alone, they have somehow found strength in themselves, their surroundings, the universe and their Creator. The African Violet is one of the most sensitive and delicate plants on Earth. You have to water it and raise it with careful attention to light. The plant is native to Tanzania and Kenya, where civilization arose, the symbolism and substance of the African Violet is endless. It is a metaphor for how survival, competition and love can create and destroy.” – Cedric Muhammad .

Here’s Cedric Muhammad speaking about Khaligraph on SHOT 97 with top radio presenter Star:

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Enjoy:‘African Violet’: http://itunes.apple.com/album/

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