Kenyan hip-hop heavyweight Khaligraph Jones has sent shockwaves through the African music scene after previewing an explosive new collaboration featuring American rap mogul Rick Ross and Ghanaian dancehall sensation Stonebwoy, produced by acclaimed Kenyan beatmaker Vinc on the Beat.
The preview, which surfaced recently on social media, features Rick Ross delivering shout-outs to both African artists before Khaligraph Jones credits his producer. While no official release date has been announced, the snippet has already generated massive anticipation across the continent and beyond.
The collaboration forms part of Rick Ross’s ambitious upcoming album “Champagne Moments,” which aims to unite artists from 12 different African countries with American hip-hop. The project represents the Miami rapper’s deepening commitment to African music, blending luxury rap aesthetics with vibrant African rhythms.
Ross has previously expressed his vision for an album that exudes “African vibes” during Instagram Live sessions, and has already worked with Nigerian legend P-Square and Tanzanian star Diamond Platnumz.
“There is a big project coming up. It is a big project and that is why his team reached out to me. I didn’t go looking for them. I was sought after,” Khaligraph told media, emphasizing the organic nature of the collaboration.
The road to this collaboration hasn’t been without challenges. Khaligraph’s Instagram account suffered a three-month shadow ban after being mass-reported, which forced the cancellation of a highly anticipated Instagram Live session with Rick Ross. The Kenyan rapper expressed frustration over what he described as “haters” attempting to derail his success.
Despite the setback, Ross sent an encouraging message stating “We won’t stop,” reinforcing his commitment to the project and to Khaligraph’s involvement.
Born Brian Robert Ouko in Kayole, Nairobi, Khaligraph Jones has risen from humble beginnings to become one of East Africa’s most respected rappers. His breakthrough came with the 2013 hit “YEGO,” honoring javelin champion Julius Yego, which catapulted him to household-name status.
The artist, who won Channel O’s Emcee Africa competition in 2009, earned a nomination for Best International Flow at the 2020 BET Hip Hop Awards. In April 2025, he released his third studio album “THE BOOK OF JONES 1st CHAPTER,” featuring collaborations with Nyashinski, Silverstone Barz, and Falz.
Livingstone Etse Satekla, professionally known as Stonebwoy, brings West African flavor to the collaboration. The CEO of Burniton Music Group won Best International Act: Africa at the 2015 BET Awards and has claimed Artiste of the Year honors at the Ghana Music Awards twice.
His 2017 album “Epistles of Mama” debuted at number 13 on the Billboard World Albums chart, while his 2022 signing to Def Jam Recordings Africa under Universal Music Group marked a major milestone. With over 100 million streams on Boomplay and two Billboard plaques, Stonebwoy represents the commercial power of African music.
Notably, Stonebwoy and Khaligraph previously previewed a collaboration during a 2022 media tour in Kenya, demonstrating their established working relationship.
William Leonard Roberts II, known globally as Rick Ross, brings unparalleled credibility and reach to the collaboration. The founder of Maybach Music Group has released 11 studio albums, with his debut “Port of Miami” reaching number one on the Billboard 200 in 2006.
A nine-time Grammy nominee, Ross has been named “Man of the Year” by The Source magazine twice and “Hottest MC in the Game” by MTV. His interest in African music appears genuine and sustained, with multiple collaborative efforts already completed or in progress.
Vinc on the Beat, known as “The Beatkiller,” has established himself as one of Kenya’s premier producers. His work on Khaligraph’s hits “Nikwa Ni Shoke” and “Odinare” earned him widespread recognition in the industry.
On Khaligraph’s latest album, Vinc dominated production credits alongside producer Luigi, contributing the most tracks among six producers. In December 2023, he released his own EP “The Story of a Boy from The Village,” showcasing his skills as both rapper and singer.
This collaboration arrives at a pivotal moment for African hip-hop. Kenyan hip-hop has evolved from its late 1980s roots to become the most nominated genre at music awards across Kenya, East Africa, and the continent. The language fusion of Swahili, English, Sheng, and tribal languages creates a distinctive sound that’s gaining global recognition.
The upcoming track bridges three distinct markets—Kenya’s East African hip-hop scene, Ghana’s dancehall tradition, and American luxury rap—in a single recording. Industry observers note that such high-level collaborations demonstrate the growing respect for African artists on the global stage.
At the recent SOUNDCITY awards in Nigeria, Kenyan hip-hop received four nominations and featured a major performance, signaling the genre’s growing prominence across the continent.
While fans eagerly await the official release, the collaboration is expected to include music videos and potential tour dates as part of Ross’s broader “Champagne Moments” project. The album, featuring artists from a dozen African nations, promises to be one of the most ambitious Pan-African hip-hop projects in recent memory.
“At this point in my career, God is allowing things to just flow,” Khaligraph reflected on the collaboration, suggesting more international partnerships may be on the horizon.
As 2025 shapes up to be a landmark year for Kenyan music, this star-studded collaboration could mark a defining moment—not just for the artists involved, but for African hip-hop’s place in the global music conversation.
The song is expected to drop soon, though an official release date has not been confirmed.
Discover more from Big Masterz Hub
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
