Organized by showbiz entrepreneur Ruby V, Unkut Day is anchored on 5 five pillars; a strictly Kenyan music policy, visual arts, games, art and fashion vendors, and live performances. This festival is part of Unkut Africa’s efforts to keep the Hip -Hop culture in Kenya alive as well as create a platform for Hip Hop artists to connect with their fans.
The Unkut fun day started at midday showcasing fashion vendors, and Kenyan hiphop couture, the set was adorned with red and blue bandanas paying homage to bloods and crips the rivalry gangs of the American hiphop culture. This was also well embodied in the rap battle cyphers where we had a red corner and a blue corner
Retro converses adorned the headroom of the set an exact representation of black American hoods where homage is paid to the dead the hommies by hanging their shoes on the electric lines, the visual ambience blatantly served you a nostalgic sensation of the early 90’s hip hop era, the boom pap era, retro jordans and denims were the highlights of the scene.
By 5pm the rap battles began, after a stiff battle there remained two finalists,the final rap battle was a mad thrill to the audience.
Two skilled lyricists Qwaroo and Tangale clashed on stage, engaging in an intense verbal exchange that showcased their immense talent and wit. The battle was filled with sharp wordplay, clever metaphors, and intricate rhyme schemes that left the crowd in awe.
As the battle progressed, the tension escalated, and the competitors took the opportunity to delve into personal topics, aiming to hit each other where it hurt, touching on sensitive subjects such as the color of the shoes and personal struggle for recognition. Emotions ran high as the crowd witnessed the battle turn into a verbal sparring match that seemed to push the boundaries of respect.
However the competitors, despite their personal jabs, managed to maintain a level of mutual respect. Eventually Qwaroo was the rapper who took the title home after a unanimous decision by the audience
The rap battle left a lasting impression on all those who witnessed it. It stood as a reminder that even in the midst of fierce competition, mutual respect and sportsmanship can prevail. The competitors, having challenged each other in a battle of words, walked away with a renewed sense of camaraderie and a shared appreciation for their craft.
After the battle the audience was now set for the performance of the night with Dj slick DJ C-Freddy on the decks the party set sail with performances from Kapnea all the way from Mombasa with an amazing Swahili boom pap exhibition to LB, Hr The messenger with a shrap fusion, to Bussa j with amazing sing alongs, Snaidah mashed the drill beats and Hozef came through with some lofi vibes.
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