Khaligraph Jones
| |
| Khaligraph in 2020 | |
| Background information | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Brian Ouko Omollo |
| Born | 12 June 1990 (age 34) Kayole, Nairobi, Kenya |
| Genres | Kenyan hip hop Hip hop Ohangla |
| Occupations | Rapper Songwriter Emcee |
| Years active | 2008–present |
| Labels | Blue Ink |
Khaligraph Jones
Khaligraph Jones (born Brian Ouko Omollo, 12 June 1990) is an award-winning Kenyan rapper and songwriter. He is best known for his hit singles “Mazishi” and “Yego”. Critics regard him as one of Kenya’s greatest rappers of all time. He has won multiple regional awards (including East Africa’s Artist of the Year in 2024), and in 2023 he represented Kenya on Coke Studio Africa, recording a mashup with singer Nikita Kering.
Born and raised in the Kayole suburb of Nairobi, Khaligraph had a hard upbringing that he often recounts in his lyrics. From his early days freestyling on street corners to later success in studio, he has become a leading figure in Kenyan hip-hop.
Early Life
Khaligraph grew up in the Kayole estate of Nairobi. He began rapping in elementary school, using his music to tell stories of life in Kayole (power struggles, poverty, respect and crime). Early on he faced skepticism — some critics questioned whether Kenyan rappers should use English or claimed his accent sounded “too Brooklyn”. Nonetheless, he persisted by appearing in freestyle battles and rap competitions.
His breakthrough came in 2009 when, as a teenager, he won the Channel O Emcee Africa competition, gaining instant fame. Over the years, he built on that success with mixtapes and collaborations, gradually establishing himself as a star in the East African rap scene.
Career
Khaligraph’s career includes several acclaimed albums and notable collaborations. He released his debut album Point of No Return in 2014, followed by the chart-topping Testimony 1990 in 2018 and Invisible Currency in 2022. In April 2025 he dropped his third official album, The Book Of Jones (1st Chapter).
He has also put out mixtapes and EPs: for example, The Takeover (2009) and the Khali Cartel 5 EP (2025). Khaligraph is known for collaborating with other artists – he regularly features fellow Kenyan and African acts on his tracks. His “Khali Cartel” series gives exposure to up-and-coming rappers.
Notable collaborations include Nigerian rapper Sarkodie and Kenyan singer Mejja (e.g. the popular track “Kamnyweso”). In 2020 he released “Leave Me Alone”, which later won him the Best Hip Hop Act in Africa award at Nigeria’s Soundcity MVP Awards. Overall, his steady output of albums, singles, and guest features has cemented him as a superstar of East African hip-hop.
Personal Life
Khaligraph Jones is married to Georgina Muteti, a Kenyan hairdresser. The couple has two children together: a daughter named Amali and a second child named Lu. He also has a son, Xolani, from a previous relationship with singer Cashy Karimi.
Despite his fame, Khaligraph strives to maintain some privacy. In a 2024 interview, he emphasized that each artist has a right to refuse media interviews, saying it was a “personal choice” not to always have cameras on him. He credits his church upbringing for instilling discipline, though he now leads a secular lifestyle. He frequently expresses pride in his Kenyan heritage and community roots.
Musical Style
Khaligraph Jones is celebrated for his versatile flow and lyrical storytelling. He blends gritty street rap with elements of pop and melody. His music often combines honest social commentary with catchy hooks.
For example, his 2018 album Testimony 1990 was noted for its warm, optimistic vibe and a mix of rap verses with sung choruses. He raps primarily in English and Sheng, often switching between languages and rhythms. His lyrics reflect life in Nairobi and East Africa, covering themes of struggle, ambition, and pride. He aims to make listeners think while also providing entertainment.
Controversies
In 2023, Khaligraph released a diss track and made social media posts targeting Tanzanian rappers, declaring he would “take over the whole Tanzanian music industry” if they didn’t respond. This sparked backlash: artists like Harmonize and Rosa Ree criticized him, while Kenyan rapper Octopizzo called it a “cry for help”.
Khaligraph later appeared on Tanzania’s Wasafi TV to apologize, stating his comments were taken out of context and that he respects Tanzanian musicians. He said he was still ready for a friendly rap battle but regretted any offense caused.
He also has a long-running rivalry with Octopizzo, with multiple diss tracks exchanged. In 2024, fans noticed mysterious black-and-white flags at his home; he jokingly replied that they were “for devil worshippers” to defuse rumors.
Political Views
Khaligraph tends to focus on social issues rather than formal politics. During the COVID-19 economic crisis, he publicly appealed to Kenyan leaders for help. In 2021, he wrote to Deputy President William Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga urging action on hunger and unemployment, even offering to campaign for Ruto for free if he helped.
However, he later clarified that he was not endorsing any candidate — his goal was simply to draw attention to public suffering. He prefers to use his platform for community aid and charity, rather than partisan politics.
Discography
- The Takeover (2009) – Debut mixtape
- Point of No Return (2014) – First studio album
- Testimony 1990 (2018) – Breakthrough album
- Invisible Currency (2022) – Critically acclaimed album
- The Book Of Jones (1st Chapter) (2025) – Latest album
- Khali Cartel series (1–5) – Compilation EPs
Notable Singles
- “Mazishi”
- “Yego”
- “Leave Me Alone”
- “On the Real”
- “Kamnyweso”
Filmography
- Click Click Bang (2022) – Crime-comedy film (supporting role)
Awards and Recognition
- Channel O Emcee Africa Champion (2009)
- Best Rap Act – AFRIMMA Awards (2018)
- Best Hip Hop Act in Africa – Soundcity MVP Awards (2020)
- BET Hip Hop Awards Nominee – Best International Flow
- Artist of the Year – East Africa Arts & Entertainment Awards (2024)
- Multiple Kenyan awards (e.g. Chaguo La Teeniez)
Other Ventures
Khaligraph Jones founded Blu Ink Corp, an independent label based in Nairobi. The label handles his releases and sells branded merchandise under the OG Drip brand (apparel such as hoodies and tees with slogans like “Respect the OGs”).
He also runs gaming lounges in Kayole and co-owns a custom car shop, Omollo Customz, with Lamaz Span K.O. He is known for his luxury car collection and is building a mansion in Nairobi. Khaligraph emphasizes entrepreneurship, sometimes gifting his wife a car for every child born. He mentors young artists and DJs and remains active in social causes.
External Links
References
Sources include:
- kenyans.co.ke
- hiphopafrican.com
- theelephant.info
- tuko.co.ke
- music.apple.com
- aipate.com
- citizen.digital
- kbc.co.ke
- soundcity.tv
- ghafla.co.ke