Kenyan hip-hop icon Khaligraph Jones has taken to social media with a heartfelt tribute to the late legendary rapper Chris Kantai, seven years after his untimely passing.
The revered Kenyan rap veteran, known affectionately as one of the pioneers of the local hip-hop scene, has been honoured by Khaligraph, a gesture that continues to underscore Kantai’s lasting impact on the music culture in Kenya.
In a poignant Instagram post, Khaligraph shared an old photograph of Kantai, capturing a moment from one of the rapper’s prime years.
The picture was accompanied by a brief but powerful caption:
“7 years, keep resting easy king.”
The message resonated deeply with fans and peers alike, as it marked yet another public expression of respect from Khaligraph toward the late artist.
Chris Kantai’s story is one of both groundbreaking success and tragic struggle. Rising to prominence in the early 2000s, Kantai became a formidable force in Kenyan hip-hop with hits like “Huu Ni Nani G,” “Issues,” and “Happy,” the latter a collaboration with acclaimed artist Stella Mwangi.
His lyrical wit, charismatic delivery, and fearless wordplay cemented his reputation as a true OG, a pioneer who helped shape the direction of Kenyan rap during its formative years.
Despite his success, Kantai battled personal demons, including depression and alcoholism, challenges that were well documented in media reports in the years before his death.
In 2016, he made a hopeful return to the music scene with “Ting Badi Malo,” a collaboration with Khaligraph, a moment meant to reintroduce his talent to a new generation of listeners.
Kantai passed away on February 27, 2019, at St. Francis Hospital in Nairobi at the age of 42 after health complications, deeply saddening Kenya’s music fraternity and fans across the country.
Tributes poured in, celebrating his contribution to the culture and remembering him as an artist who dared to be different and bold at a time when local hip-hop was still finding its voice.
Over the years, Khaligraph Jones has consistently honoured Kantai’s legacy, openly crediting him as a major influence and one of the best rappers Kenya has ever produced.
Khaligraph’s admiration goes beyond mere words: their “Ting Badi Malo” collaboration stands as a testament to the esteem in which he held Kantai and to his desire to uplift fallen peers when given the opportunity.
In his emotional 2026 post, Khaligraph reaffirmed that admiration, reminding fans of Kantai’s enduring imprint on Kenyan music.
“Keep resting easy, king,” reads the tribute, a simple yet profound acknowledgment that while the rapper may no longer be with us, his influence continues to echo through Kenya’s growing hip-hop landscape.
For many fans and fellow artists, Khaligraph’s message is not just a remembrance but a call to cherish and support musical pioneers while they are still alive, a lesson Kantai’s legacy poignantly teaches.
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