Throughout the years, the Kenyan hip-hop scene has produced countless standout lyricists and technically brilliant MCs. Since the art form gained a foothold in the East African nation, propelled by the musical heroics of Ricky Oyaro, widely acknowledged as the pioneering figure of hip-hop in Kenya in the early 1990s, the scene has consistently churned out exceptional rappers, most notably Hardstone, Poxi Presha, Kalamashaka, K-South, Abbas Kubaff, E-Sir, Necessary Noize, Longombas, Kleptomaniax, Nonini, Jimwat, Camp Mulla, Juacali, P-Unit, Pilipili, Khaligraph Jones, Darassa, King Kaka, and Mejja Genge, to name a few.
While these figures played a pivotal role in establishing hip-hop as a true movement and a main attraction of Kenyan entertainment, a new trailblazer is steadily climbing the ranks, carving out a position of influence and asserting himself as a key player in the Kenyan hip-hop scene.
Toxic Lyrikali is a 20-year-old rapper and storyteller who has quickly emerged as a major force for his genuine, unfiltered hip-hop that tells stories from his real life growing up in Eastlands, Nairobi. Throughout 2025, the young artist achieved major milestones, becoming Kenya’s fourth-most-viewed musician on YouTube. Spotify also named him Kenya’s most-discovered artist of the year, with two of his popular records ranking as the platform’s most-played Kenyan songs of 2025. After releasing a slew of hit records that went viral in 2025, the rapper has kicked off 2026 with intent, with three stinging singles that emphasise what he is about.
For those who haven’t locked into the sounds of Toxic Lyrikali, here are 10 essential songs from Kenya’s newest hip-hop sensation.
Thugnificent
This record was Toxic Lyrikali’s announcement to the Kenyan hip-hop scene. The gritty street anthem thrums with swagger and defiance. Raw, untamed, and hypnotically rhythmic, it sets the perfect stage for his sharp delivery to dominate. No wonder the old heads in the scene raised eyebrows when this record hit the airwaves. This record established him as the bold new young rebel reshaping the sound of the streets of Nairobi.
Mask Shang
On this record, horns blast with cinematic swagger over a drill-heavy beat as Toxic Lyrikali rides the rhythm with precision, with each bar cutting through the layered percussion. He cuts through the evocative production with a commanding presence, delivering a drill anthem that stakes his claim as a fearless voice in the city’s hip-hop landscape.
Long Story
This record unfolds like a day in the life of a gangbanger, narrated with the measured flow of a storyteller who’s seen it all. Over a slow, hypnotic beat, smoother and more reflective than his other records, Toxic Lyrikali delivers a song about the everyday life of navigating a dangerous world. From running errands with his friends to navigating rival crews, the lyrics are loaded with details like drinking beers with neighbours, dodging conflicts and tracking down people who crossed him. Beneath the lyrical tension, he maintains a steady rhythm and flow, allowing the record to land with clarity and weight.
Chinje
Unlike the preceding record, this one is brimming with explosive energy laced with a punchy hook and a relentless cadence. Toxic Lyrikali moves with precision over this hard-hitting beat, with his delivery sharp and commanding and each line punctuating like a strike on a drum. The lyrics narrate tension on the streets, clashes, loyalty, and survival, with his writing reflecting the street life he came from.
Cartman
This song’s energy comes as much from Toxic’s polished flow as from the beat itself, which balances menace and swagger. On this song, Toxic captures moments of camaraderie and street pride while telling the story of a rising artist navigating power and respect. Toxic Lyrikali is a rapper capable of translating Nairobi’s streets into music that resonates far beyond them, and this song exemplifies that.
Backbencher ft. Countree Hype
Backbencher is Toxic Lyrikali’s personal story as he traces his journey from obscurity to making it big. The song celebrates those who succeed on their own terms and carve their own path. Backbencher, in the context of this song describes someone who struggled in school but now shows his rise to a “backseat boss”, cruising in a fancy S-Class. The line “Chuo tuliwai E, sai nawazoza na S-class” captures this transformation with pride and humour.
Hood
On Hood, Toxic raps about walking through his neighbourhood with pride and purpose, offering “something to offer and nothing to lose”. He contrasts life in his hood with tension from law enforcement and competition, affirming his confidence and self‑reliance while staying true to his roots.
Lowkey
Unlike his harder street anthems, Lowkey leans into a more reflective, measured vibe. The song pairs laid‑back production with introspective bars about quiet confidence, strategic moves, and personal growth away from noise and hype. Rather than chasing trophies or loud celebration, Toxic uses Lowkey to emphasise progress made without external validation.
Dumpsite
Dumpsite is a diss record aimed at Kenyan rap duo Buruklyn Boyz. This record is a response to Stima, where the duo unleashed a barrage of subliminals and direct shots at the budding new stardom. Toxic’s rise to rap superstardom in Kenya seems to have rubbed off on some of the OGs in the wrong way, and engaging in a rap battle with the young star offered the duo an opportunity to reignite their careers.
With Dumpsite, Toxic offers a more pointed and personal rebuttal, leaning into his intricate lyricism. On the record, Toxic paints the duo as copycats, accusing them of lifting his sound as well as questioning their street credibility and lifestyle.
Bad Everyday
The gritty new single is the latest from the Kenyan rapper. The bass‑heavy, trap‑inspired production creates a cinematic backdrop as he raps about overcoming struggle and adversity in a tough environment. His aggressive flow and commanding delivery give the song an edge, turning it into a compelling anthem of confidence and survival despite pressure or opposition.
