Kenya mourns late rapper Kantai

Kantai died on Wednesday at the age of 42. His cause of death is yet to be confirmed, but sources say he had been battling alcoholism and depression for a number years.

“A lot of people have dreams of meeting Jay-Z and Kanye,” Kenyan rapper Khaligraph Jones said in a clip he shared on Instagram. Kantai at that time was my Jay-Z . They don’t make OGs like that anymore. Khaligraph Jones is the last of a dying breed after Kantai.”

“Let us stop waiting for our pioneers to die so that we can talk about how they were legends and inspired us while they were alive. I know some artists who paved the way for us who are going through depression right now. Let us help them. Rest in peace, Kantai.”

DJ Joe Mfalme tweeted: “Thank you for the great music. Your legacy will live on. Rest easy, Chris Kantai.” 

News of Kantai’s death first surfaced online late Wednesday afternoon. Family spokesperson Wanjiku Thuku said the rapper died on Wednesday morning after developing breathing complications at St Francis Hospital in Nairobi, where he had been admitted since Monday.

“I am in touch with his family, including his wife and mother, to arrange his funeral. We will give you more details as they come,” Thuku told Nairobi News.

Kantai rose to fame in the early 2000s with hits such as ‘Huu Ni Nani’, ‘What More’, ‘Nare’ and ‘Issues’. His last released was 2016’s ‘Ting Badi Malo’, a collaboration with Khaligraph jones.