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From Scar to Khaligraph Jones: Virusi Mbaya reveals star-studded 28-track ‘Matenjagwo’ album
14th August, 2026 04:02 PM
Hip-hop heavyweight Virusi Mbaya has released his ambitious 28-track album Matenjagwo, bringing together some of Kenya’s notable rap talents for a project packed with collaborations, street narratives and entries from his signature “Wasted” series.
Released in early August, the album marks another major step in what has been a breakout year for the Kibera-bred lyricist, following the growing success of several of his recent releases.
On Friday, August 14, 2026, Virusi Mbaya took to Instagram to unveil the full Matenjagwo tracklist, giving fans a closer look at the 28-song project and its impressive lineup of collaborators.
The album arrives during what has been a breakout period for Virusi Mbaya.
His track “Have Mercy” featuring Scar Mkadinali, gained significant attention, racking up millions of views and becoming one of the notable Kenyan rap records of the year.
He followed that momentum with releases including “YoYo,” “One Two Crew,” “Itoka Ilitoka” and “Thugsome”, further increasing his visibility and audience.
His YouTube channel has also grown past 150,000 subscribers, strengthening his position as one of the Kenyan rappers to watch in 2026.
Matenjagwo arrives as the next step in that journey, building on his recent momentum while remaining rooted in his raw, punchline-driven style.
28 tracks of Kenyan hip-hop
One of the most striking aspects of Matenjagwo is its sheer size.
With 28 tracks, the album is significantly longer than the typical contemporary release, giving Virusi Mbaya room to explore different sounds, collaborations and stories.
The extensive tracklist also allows him to showcase both established artists and emerging voices from Kenya’s hip-hop scene.
Scar, Khaligraph Jones and more feature
The album boasts an impressive list of collaborations.
Scar Mkadinali appears twice, featuring on “Have Mercy” and “Shida Za Kidosi”, while Khaligraph Jones joins Virusi Mbaya on “One Time”.
Sewersydaa also makes two appearances on “Big Bad Boyz” and “Yoyo”.
Other artists featured on the project include Toxic Lyrikali on “Shughuli”, Moti the NRG on “Mashati”, as well as Komanda Flaco, Metro Stunna, Boutross, Skillo and Gherro Flavah.
The variety of collaborations gives Matenjagwo a broad representation of Kenya’s current hip-hop landscape.
Kapitani and Dyana Cods add more star power
Rising artists also get their moment on the project.
Kapitani, who has enjoyed a major breakthrough this year with his viral hit “Kitemeo”, also known online as the “Bag Ni Ya Nini” track, features on “Freno Za Foreigno”
Female talent is represented by Dyana Cods, the rising dancehall and hip-hop artist known for her viral track “Set It”. She appears on “Chase Game”.
Author
William Muthama
William Muthama is a digital journalist with a focus on entertainment, human interest, and current affairs. Share stories: [email protected]/ [email protected]
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