UnKut Hip Hop Awards 2023 in Kenya: All the winners

Now in their fourth edition, the awards celebrate outstanding achievements in the East African hip hop scene. Running under the theme, Culture Unbound, this year’s edition honoured outstanding talent across 25 categories. The nominees represented a mix of established names and emerging stars, showcasing the dynamic and ever-evolving nature of East African hip hop.

In a colourful event graced by the who’s who of Kenyan hip hop, Khaligraph Jones and Femi One emerged as the night’s big winners, taking home the Best Male Artist of the Year and Best Female Artist of the Year awards, respectively.

Below is the full list of winners:

Gengetone Artist of the Year

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

Breaker of the Year

• Bgirl Acy
• Mzushiafrica
• Onkwani
• Bboy Drift

DJ of The Year

• Kev The DJ
• Slick
• Whizzy
• Bugy

Best Alternative Artist

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

Best Female Artist

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

Video Director of the Year

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

Best East African Artist

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

Drill Artist of the Year

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

Best Collaboration

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

Breakthrough Artist of the Year

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

Best Male Artist

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

Lyricist of the Year

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

Best Hip Hop Radio Show

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

Producer of the Year

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

Best Clothing Brand

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

Vernacular Rap Song/Artist of the Year

• Mutirichi Cheriya – Bryce One & This is H
• Jambetre Ngolo – MC Sharon
• 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

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

Mixtape/EP of the Year

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

Best Alternative Media

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

Video of the Year

• Prembeshwa by Trio Mio – Ivan Odie for LWKY
• Kisumu by Kaa La Moto – Ken Koast
• 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