The UnKut Hip Hop Awards is an annual ceremony that recognises and awards success and hard work in Kenyan Hip Hop. UnKut Africa was founded by radio host and hip-hop enthusiast Ruby V in 2019, with the first awards ceremony taking place shortly after. After a hiatus last year, it has returned, with 2025’s theme being Africa’s Hip Hop Lives Here. Additionally, this year’s edition features new categories, including Hip Hop and R&B Song of the Year and Content Creator of the Year. These pay tribute to content creators and appreciate R&B’s undeniable influence on modern Hip Hop. Moreover, detailed nomination metrics which factor streaming numbers and performance on the charts will be used to accurately award artists.
Wakadinali is well-acquainted with the ceremony, having won Song of the Year and Rap Group/Duo of the Year in 2019. The categories they are nominated for in 2025 are: Song of the Year, Best Rap Group/Duo and Album of the Year. The group is the favourite with the most nominations across all categories. If they are to achieve this on the 4th of December, they will make UnKut Hip Hop Awards history as the first group to win 3 awards simultaneously. Wakadinali’s talent and consistency have spoken for them as they been nominated for the UnKut Hip Hop Awards annually in numerous categories without fail.
Tamashani was the 1st music video released by Wakadinali at the beginning of the year. It served as a promotional single off the Victims Of Madness 2.0 Album and was an instant success with over 6.5 million views on YouTube. It had all the right ingredients, for example its catchy chorus: “Cheki watu wanaweka energy, vizuri tamashani, dance na mimi.” Ares66’s memorable beat evoked a jovial mood, while the music video, which showcased them enjoying go-kart rides and dancing in the moonlight, was the perfect icing on the cake. Skillo, Sudough Doss and Katapilla also featured on the song, matching Munga’s infectious, jovial energy.
Wakadinali compete against other major hits such as Chinje by Toxic Lyrikali, Khali Kartel by Khaligraph Jones, Dopamine by Nyashinski and Kenyan Rap by Buruklyn Boyz. All my bets are on Wakadinali or Toxic to win this category.
For the Best Rap Group/Duo, Wakadinali compete alongside Buruklyn Boyz, Double Trouble, Bud Guyz and Thirtyfourbrick. Buruklyn have had a good year, with the release of their second studio album, 58 Flava. However, Wakadinali are favourites to win this category yet again, as they have had more mainstream hits off their Victims Of Madness 2.0 Album, which was also released this year. Their hit song Kum Baba (feat. Abbas Kubaf, Wakuu, Pepela & Masterpiece King) earned a nomination at the Afrima Awards for Best African Act in Reggae, Ragga & Dancehall.
For the final category, Album of the Year, Wakadinali’s Victims Of Madness 2.0 competes against PRESSURE by Maufromnowhere and Hihi, BURNTOUT WORKAHOLICS by LuNo Da ViNci, The Renaissance Man, and Boeyylee, Escobar by Masterpieceking and Taigwa Goma by 4MrFrankWhite. Wakadinali’s album has received numerous positive reviews with many of it’s music videos receiving millions of views such as: Maproso ft. Suzanna Owiyo(4.2+ million views) and Za Kimotho(3.9+ million views.) These numbers are unmatched in this category, giving them a big chance to win this category.
During the 2023 UnKut Hip Hop Awards, Khaligraph Jones won 2 (Best Male Artist, Best East African Artist) the edition’s most by one person, but no one managed three. A clean sweep of these would mark a groundbreaking moment for the awards’ six-year history, as this would be an achievement never accomplished before. Do you think they will make history? Who are your favorites for the same categories? Read another article here.
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