In a groundbreaking moment for African hip-hop, Kenyan rap artist Khaligraph Jones delivered a historic performance at the 2025 BET Awards, becoming the first East African artist to grace the main stage of the prestigious ceremony. The performance, which occurred during the awards’ African music segment, featured a medley of his biggest hits including Yego, Wavy, and Best in the City, showcasing his distinctive lyrical prowess and commanding stage presence to an international audience of millions. The landmark appearance represents the culmination of Khaligraph’s decade-long ascent from Nairobi’s underground rap battles to global recognition and signals a significant shift in how African hip-hop from beyond the dominant West African scene is perceived internationally.
Jones’ performance was strategically crafted to highlight both his individual artistry and Kenya’s unique hip-hop identity. Backed by a full band that incorporated traditional Kenyan rhythms into hip-hop beats, and accompanied by dancers blending contemporary street styles with Kenyan traditional movements, the set presented a distinctly East African interpretation of hip-hop culture. Particularly impactful was his seamless code-switching between English, Swahili, and Sheng—Kenya’s urban slang—demonstrating how local linguistic traditions can enrich global hip-hop while remaining accessible to international audiences. The performance received a standing ovation from the star-studded audience and generated massive social media engagement, with the hashtag #KhaligraphOnBET trending globally within minutes of his set.
The long-term implications of this breakthrough performance extend far beyond Khaligraph Jones’ individual career to potentially transforming opportunities for the entire East African hip-hop scene. By demonstrating that Kenyan rap can command attention on music’s biggest international stages, the performance challenges the industry’s predominant focus on West African Afrobeats and opens doors for other East African artists seeking global recognition. The visibility has already generated interest from international record labels, festival organizers, and collaboration opportunities with established global hip-hop artists. For aspiring Kenyan musicians, Khaligraph’s BET Awards moment provides powerful validation that maintaining authentic local identity while mastering global forms can lead to international success, potentially inspiring a new generation of East African artists to pursue their global ambitions without compromising their regional roots and cultural distinctiveness.