UnKut Hip Hop Awards 2023 in Kenya: All the nominees

Now in their fourth edition, UnKut Hip Hop Awards celebrate outstanding achievements in the East African hip hop scene. Emerging artists and genres like shrap and gengetone have found recognition here, underscoring the awards’ role in keeping the region’s hip hop scene vibrant.

Running under the theme Culture Unbound, this year’s edition will recognise and honour outstanding talent across 25 categories. The nominees represent a mix of established names and emerging talent, showcasing the dynamic and ever-evolving nature of East African hip hop.

Fans can vote for their favourite nominees here.

Only 100 tickets are available for the gala ceremony and can be purchased here.

Below is the full list of nominees:

Gengetone Artist of the Year

• Maandy
• Trio Mio
• Fathermoh
• Ssaru
• YBW Smith

Breaker of the Year

• Mzushiafrica
• Onkwani
• Bboy Drift
• Bgirl Acy

DJ of The Year

• Slick
• Kev The DJ
• Whizzy
• Bugy

Best Alternative Artist

• Bey T
• Mau From Nowhere
• Prxnce
• King Kerby
• Tai Dai

Best Female Artist

• Rosa Ree
• Groovy Jo
• Femi One
• Wangechi
• Dyana Cods
• Mc Yallah

Video Director of the Year

• Ondivow
• Blackjurist
• Jijo Drumbeats
• Steve Mugo
• Ivan Odie
• Badman Bright

Best East African Artist

• Rosa Ree
• Khaligraph
• Navio
• Young Lunya
• Kaa La Moto
• Fid Q
• Femi One

Drill Artist of the Year

• Jodye Faneto
• Davaji
• Bueno
• Spinx Mafia
• Big Yasa

Best Collaboration

• Pop – Licky & Mr Right
• Is It Just Me – Joefes ft. Unspoken Salaton
• Big Man – Fid Q ft. Rosa Ree
• Mzigo – Wangechi ft. Buruklyn Boyz
• Wacha Maneno – Lagum The Rapper ft. Man Lee & Denesi

Breakthrough Artist of the Year

• Shekina Karen
• Sudough Doss
• Shanty Bobo
• Sabi Wu
• DJ Gibbzy

Best Male Artist

• The Mith
• Jakk LW
• Khaligraph
• Scar
• Katapilla

Lyricist of the Year

• Katapilla
• Sewersydaa
• Asum Garvey
• Jakk Quill
• Kitu Sewer
• Freshlikeuhhhh

Best Hip Hop Radio Show

• The Cypher by Slick – Capital FM
• Hip Hop Republik with Curtis – Ghetto Radio
• Mseto Hip Hop Tuesday by Willy Tuva – Radio Citizen
• Dakika Kumi Za Maangamizi with Lesa Sidi & Rich Msafi – East Africa Radio
• Kiss Most Wanted with Abasi Mkasi & DJ Crush

Producer of the Year

• Odzz Music
• Ares 66
• Cap
• Vinc On The Beat
• Samurae
• Ringle Beatz

Best Clothing Brand

• Seasaw Office
• Uncommon Rebel
• Don Kings
• Nairobi Nnoize
• Pe$os
• Baggy Unit

Vernacular Rap Song/Artist of the Year

• Jambetre Ngolo – MC Sharon
• Mutirichi Cheriya – Bryce One & This is H
• Pok Alando – Gabiro Mtu Necessary
• Atugonza – Joka & DJ Simonn
• Gwitũ – Flowflani
• IDFWTF – Nick O’Sam Ft Zeddy Blvko

Best Graffiti Artist

• Phunk Bantu
• Bamwenga
• Mutua Arts
• Smokillah
• Artumaini

Album of the Year

• Mkanda Mweusi – Kaa La Moto
• Me Against Me – Katapilla
• Emotional Gangster – Wangechi
• $€£K – Sudough Doss
• Searching for Utopia – Jakk Quill

Mixtape/EP of the Year

• Bigger Than Biggie – Jodye Faneto ft. Neevo Worldwide
• Dem Kutoka Mwiki – Femi One
• Pressure – Groovy Jo
• The Boss Lady – Shazzy B
• #Systeemu – The Mith

Best Alternative Media

• Adoveli Podcast
• Micshariki Africa
• Da Hookup
• Drill Digest
• Iko Nini Podcast

Video of the Year

• Kisumu by Kaa La Moto – Ken Koast
• Prembeshwa by Trio Mio – Ivan Odie for LWKY
• Iivane Wakuu Music Ft Khaligraph Jones – Ondivow Photography
• Mzigo by Wangechi Ft Burukyln Boyz – Mike Lolly P
• Big Fat Cheque by Breeder LW – Antyvirus AV
• Suspect by Femi One Ft Katapilla – Jijo drumbeats

Best Rap Group/Duo

• Riett Kamati
• Afrocentric
• Mabantu
• Wakadinali
• Wakuu Music

Song of the Year

• Sikutambui – Wakadinali
• Sikwebela – MC Yallah Ft Debmaster
• Staki – Femi One Ft Domani Mkadinali
• Starshine – Burukyln Boys