Toxic Lyrikali, the 20-year-old rapper from Kayole, Nairobi, has quickly become one of Kenya’s most compelling new voices.by Amoh Dutchy.
On a breezy Sunday evening this past September, the crowd at Blankets & Wine festival in Nairobi was on its feet. Kenya’s premier live music festival had assembled a powerhouse lineup: Kenya’s Chimano, Uganda’s Joshua Baraka, and Nigeria’s Tems. But when Toxic Lyrikali stepped on stage, the energy shifted.
At just 20, the Nairobi rapper was sharing the stage with international stars for the first time. Backed by a live band, he performed at the Moi International Sports Centre to tens of thousands of fans who rapped his lyrics back at him.
Known for his Sheng-heavy, dancehall-inspired flow, Toxic blends trap beats with raw, streetwise storytelling. He raps about the hustle, the pressure, and the codes of loyalty that define life in Kayole, the low-income neighborhood where he grew up in Nairobi’s Eastlands.
“One hundred percent [Kayole] supports me fully,” he tells OkayAfrica. “Because they understand me. They relate to me. I’m like their own.”
That resonance has extended far beyond the streets he came from. Less than a year ago, he dropped “Chinje,” a gritty anthem that introduced his voice to a wider audience. The title is Sheng for “to slaughter” or “to finish,” a term used to describe handling business decisively. That urgency drives the song, which has now surpassed 11 million views on YouTube.
Since then, he has released 10 songs in 11 months, and each one has landed. “Backbencher,” his next big hit, is nearing 8 million views. For many young Kenyans, he sounds like someone telling their story of hustle and grit.
That authenticity has helped him go from local hero to national figure and now, global recognition. In August, Apple Music named Toxic its Up Next Artist for East Africa, a global spotlight that has pushed artists like Burna Boy and Rema into wider acclaim. Now featured on Apple Music’s Up Next playlist, his music is reaching new audiences across and beyond the continent.
Toxic Lyrikali performing at Blankets & Wine in Nairobi, September 2025.Courtesy of Toxic Lyrikali.
The genesis of Toxic Lyrikali's sound: dancehall, trap, and Kayole
But before the hits and remixes, Toxic was just a teenager figuring out how to start. His love for music came early, even before the confidence to perform did.
“I just felt it,” he said, recalling his early passion. A friend encouraged him to try music seriously, and they started working together. That grew into a short-lived four-person group. When it split a year later, he decided to go solo.
In Kayole, dancehall was everywhere. Artists like Vybz Kartel, Tommy Lee Spartan, Popcaan, and Mavado filled the streets and sound systems. “Most of Kayole youth are inspired by Vybz Kartel,” he explained. “So I learned how to do only dancehall because that’s what I’ve grown listening to.”
That influence is at the heart of his sound. Toxic blends the swagger of dancehall with the grit of trap, a fusion he calls “Trap Dancehall.” “Backbencher” captures that blend perfectly. Written in just 30 minutes and released as a holdover record, the track quickly went viral.
Not long after, Jamaican dancehall star Konshens released a surprise verse for the song. It happened during his “Pick a Song” segment on social media, where fans suggest tracks for him to freestyle over. Toxic’s fans flooded the comments with “Backbencher” and the result was an impromptu remix that pushed the track even further.
When asked about how he writes songs that hit so hard, Toxic says it’s all instinct. “Flow comes naturally. Finding the words, that’s what is a challenge. But flow is natural.”
His stage name traces back to high school, where he was known for being blunt and uncompromising. “Toxic” stuck. He later added “Lyrikali” to showcase his pen game with a nod to kali, Swahili word for sharp, or fierce.
Toxic Toxic Lyrikali was first called “Toxic” back in high school for his bluntness. He later added “Lyrikali” to highlight his pen game.by Jim Nyamao.
As his profile grows, so does the criticism. Some accuse him of glorifying street life. Toxic disagrees. “A pastor’s kid will sing about pastor stuff,” he explains. “If I grew up in a church, I would sing [about] other things.”
He doesn’t take the backlash personally. “Even Jesus is not liked by everybody. Who am I to be loved by everybody?”
And despite his momentum, Toxic doesn’t feel like he has “made it.” Not yet. “When I buy my mom a car, then maybe,” he said. “If she has a car, that means we already have a house. The car is the last thing.”
His most recent single, “Euphoria,” is out today. “Euphoria is all about encouragement and staying strong. These days, there’s a lot of negativity and people beefing online, but it’s funny how the same people who act rude on social media often change completely when they see you in person. The song is a reminder to rise above all that energy, stay focused on your own path, and remember that we came from nothing to something.”
