The long-awaited Khali Cartel 3 by top Kenyan rap star Khaligraph Jones dropped this afternoon (26.09.19).
To say Khali Cartel is good is an understatement as this new cypher is off the charts. The artists’ selection cuts across little known rappers, fast-rising rappers and seasoned rappers. The court concept was well thought out with Khaligraph playing prosecutor, his brother as the judge and the artists as witnesses. The lyrics are hard-hitting and live up to Khaligraph’s OG status.
First up on the stand is fast rising rapper Bey T who is popular for hits like Wololo and Facetime. The lass inarguably the best on the cypher and has the longest slot on the project. Bey T is the truth as she comes through with some killer bars and flow. She showcases her lyrical prowess as she tackles the #PlayKeMusic movement, her come up and intention to make it to the top as well as takes shots at Tanasha Donna whom she beefed with as reported by The Sauce earlier this year.
Rekles from the Gengetone group Ethic is a favourite of many and as much as he fumbled in the beginning he caught on to deliver one of his best raps yet. His verse on Khali Cartel 3 helps him assert himself as a rapper to look out for in Kenya’s ever-growing music scene. He went out his comfort zone to talk about the corruption and life in the ghetto in sheng with ease.
Little known Breeder tried to make an impression but he did not quite get there yet with his Swahili rap in which he thanked Khaligraph for the opportunity and highlighted media favouritism. The punchline queen alias Silverstone Barz from Nakuru came through with the gangster vibe which included lighting a stick of weed in court. She, however, went wrong by not being original, she was channelling a crossbreed of American rappers Nicki Minaj and Cardi B. Chiwawa, on the other hand, is a legend in the game and he gets props for showing up to remind hip hop heads how it was done back in the day as he tackled how hard life is. However, he sounded a little bit rusty on the track.
Papa Jones on this track is the glue that held it together, his transitions from one rapper to another were smooth and punchy. What can we say, the OG is the OG.
Who are you feeling on Khali Cartel 3? has it lived up to the hype?
