Labalaa

Labalaa (full name Labalaa Makau) is a Kenyan hip-hop artist known for his powerful rap style, storytelling, and his contributions to the legendary Kenyan hip-hop movement Ukoo Flani Mau Mau.
He is also known as part of the rap duo Wakamba Wawili.

Music Career

  • Labalaa first rose to prominence through Wakamba Wawili, delivering hardcore hip-hop with strong messages about society, youth, and urban life.
  • Songs from his earlier career were known for their energy and raw storytelling.
  • Over time, he shifted towards conscious rap, focusing more on real-life issues, inspiration, and personal transformation.
  • He later explored gospel-influenced and motivational music while still maintaining his hip-hop roots.

Personal Life

  • Labalaa has openly shared his struggles with drug and alcohol addiction.
  • He spent time in rehab and later described himself as clean, crediting rehabilitation with helping him rebuild his life and career.
  • After recovery, he returned to music with a renewed purpose: to inspire and guide the youth.

Community Work

  • Labalaa founded a youth-support and talent-development platform called Acha Mini Shyne.
  • He also established a small Hip-Hop Academy in Embakasi, Nairobi, where he mentors upcoming artists and steers them away from the struggles he experienced.

Recent Events

  • In 2025, Labalaa mourned the passing of his father, a moment that deeply affected him and was widely covered in Kenyan media.
  • He continues to be a respected figure in Kenyan hip-hop — admired not only for his music but also for his resilience and leadership.