The UnKut HipHop Awards 2025 delivered yet another iconic night for East African music culture as artists, creators, fans, and industry leaders gathered for a star-studded gala hosted at the stunning rooftop of Emara Ole Sereni, along Mombasa Road. The venue known for its sweeping views of the Nairobi savannah on one side and the glowing Lang’ata skyline on the other gave the celebration of continental hip-hop excellence an elegant, elevated atmosphere befitting the movement it honors.
Hosted by Corine Onyango, the show kicked off later than scheduled but quickly settled into a night filled with warmth, electrifying performances, heartfelt speeches, and surprise appearances. Despite the chilly evening breeze, revelers dressed in bold, fashion-forward fits were too caught up in reunions, new connections, and shared love for the culture to notice.
Kev the DJ, who would later be crowned DJ of the Year, set the vibe early, spinning a seamless mix that carried the crowd between emotional peaks and high-energy moments. The audience was an exciting mix of nominees and supporters, including Elisha Elai, Jimmy Truth, Mwafreeka of Iko Nini Podcast, Vallerie Muthoni, Breeder LW, and Elsy Wameyo. Non-nominated artists also showed up in full force to support the movement—legends STL and Abbas came out to uplift the new school, vernacular rap phenom Mbithi (Kamba Bit) arrived in solidarity with Asum Garvey, and Tulia of Tulz & Tellz pulled up representing the DJ world despite missing a nomination for the first time due to her release hiatus.
Night of Standout Wins & Powerful Speeches
The biggest winners in terms of haul were Octopizzo(taking home Alternative Artist of the Year and Video of the Yea) and Wakadinali, who secured Group of the Year and Album of the Year, along with Scar Mkadinali’s Lyricist of the Year win adding to their tally. Their victories served as a reflection of their commanding presence in Kenyan hip-hop this year.
The Changemaker of the Year Award, received by Jimmy Truth on behalf of the Octopizzo Foundation, was marked with one of the night’s most memorable speeches. “This is the biggest and most important award of the night,” he said passionately. “Giving back to the community is something that me and my brother have always felt intuitively we should do after growing up through all that hardship and finally getting some form of success.”
Crowd-favorite Lowki the Great clinched the highly competitive Breakthrough Artist of the Year category, triumphing over strong contenders like 4MrFrankWhite and Saisa Ndabi. His humorous and emotional acceptance speech,where he thanked his team, fans, girlfriend, and repeated “It is about damn time!”, just like one of his catchy hooks,captured his journey and the audience’s admiration.
First-time nominee and eventual Producer of the Year, Beat Kidd, delivered one of the night’s most candid remarks, calling out the corporate world for coldheartedly abandoning Kenyan music.”Tuseme ukweli, mbona corporate haiko hapa?”He closed with a message of resilience: “Keep putting in the work; the rewards will come in due time.”
The night also carried emotional weight during the Lifetime Achievement Tribute, where Habib, brother to the late E-Sir, received the posthumous honor. “Long live the memory of E-Sir and what he did for Kenyan music,” he said, drawing applause and nostalgia from an audience deeply aware of the legend’s influence.
Still, the moment sure to dominate headlines was the double win by Toxic Lyrikali, who claimed both Male Artist of the Year and Song of the Year;two of the night’s most anticipated categories. The rising star, barely three years in the game, beat out titans like Khaligraph Jones, Octopizzo,
and Breeder LW, cementing his place as the face of the new wave.In his short but impactful acceptance speech for Male Artist of the Year, the Chinje hitmaker declared: “Those who doubted us can now realize they only did so in vain. Me and my team have been putting in the hard work and going the extra mile, and this award proves exactly that. Mboka Doba to the world!”
With electrifying performances, unexpected reunions, and heartfelt recognition of artistry and community, the 2025 UnKut HipHop Awards once again affirmed its place as the defining platform for hip-hop excellence in the region.
FULL LIST OF WINNERS – UNKUT HIPHOP AWARDS 2025
Hip Hop & R&B Collaboration of the Year – Tonight Remix – Nikita Kering & Lilmaina
Graffiti Artist of the Year – Mutua Arts
Video Director of the Year – Omoke
Lyricist of the Year – Scar Mkadinali
Breaker of the Year – Legitz Movement & Arts Foundation
Producer of the Year – Beat Kidd
DJ of the Year – KevTheDJ
Album of the Year – Victims of Madness 2.0 – Wakadinali
Hip Hop Radio Show of the Year – Hip Hop Republik with Curtis (Ghetto Radio) Fashion Brand of the Year – Nairobi Nnoize
Alternative Media Brand of the Year – Iko Nini
East African Hip Hop Artist of the Year – Fridah Amani (Tanzania) Alternative Hip Hop Artist of the Year – Octopizzo
EP/Mixtape of the Year – The Book of Jones 1st Chapter – Khaligraph Jones Song of the Year – Chinje – Toxic Lyrikali
Honorary Award – FANISI
Collaboration of the Year – Jitu – Nyashinski x Khaligraph Jones Change Maker of the Year – Octopizzo Foundation
Content Creator of the Year – Comedian Mwirigi
Video of the Year – Kadi – Octopizzo
Breakthrough Artist of the Year – Lowki the Great
Group of the Year – Wakadinali
Best Female Artist – Femi One
Best Male Artist – Toxic Lyrikali