Kenyan female rappers ranking raises questions over Ssaru, Wangechi's omission

The ranking has drawn different reactions from music fans  (Photo: Courtesy)                                                                       

The debate over who ranks among Kenya's finest female rappers has resurfaced after a new ranking placed Maandy ahead of established hip-hop acts Femi One and Dyana Cods.

The list, shared by media personality Willy M. Tuva, put Maandy at number one, followed by Femi One in second place and Dyana Cods in third.

The ranking has drawn different reactions from music fans, with discussions extending to the careers and achievements of other female rappers, including Ssaru, Wangechi, STL and Diana B.

Maandy's first-place position reflects her growing presence in the local music scene. 

The Nairobi-based rapper entered the industry in 2016 and has built a catalogue featuring songs such as Shash na Lipgloss and Sirudi Home.

She has collaborated with established Kenyan musicians including Mejja, Nameless, Breeder LW and Femi One. 

Her album Kabaya also reportedly spent a month at number one on Boomplay.

Femi One, who occupies the second position, has enjoyed a longer run in mainstream Kenyan hip-hop and remains one of the genre's recognisable female voices.

Signed to Kaka Empire, she gained widespread recognition through songs such as Utawezana and Brikicho. 

Her consistency in the industry also earned her the Best Female Artist award at the 2023 UnKut Hip Hop Awards.

Dyana Cods, who completes the top three, has developed a following through her dancehall-influenced sound. 

Her song Set It gained significant traction online, particularly on TikTok, helping introduce her music to a wider audience.

Beyond the top three, Ssaru is another prominent name in the conversation. 

The rapper, whose real name is Sylvia Saru, rose to prominence through viral freestyle videos before making her mark in Gengetone with releases such as Nyama in 2019.

She has since collaborated with artists including Mejja, Trio Mio, Khaligraph Jones and Fathermoh. In 2024, Apple Music named her an Up Next artist for East Africa.
Wangechi represents an earlier generation of Kenyan female rappers. 

She first gained attention through Hype Masters Entertainment before releasing her Consume mixtape. She also appeared on CNN's African Voices in 2013 and later featured on Coke Studio.

STL, born Stella Mwangi, has taken Kenyan hip-hop to an international audience through her career as a Kenyan-Norwegian rapper and singer. Her releases include Take It Slow and Biashara.

Diana B, whose real name is Diana Marua, has also explored rap music, releasing songs and collaborating with her husband, musician Bahati, alongside her career as a content creator.