Rapper Toxic Lyrikali has spoken out against growing online speculation about his alleged rivalry with other Kenyan musicians, making it clear that he is not holding grudges and is not engaged in any active beef within the industry. His remarks come at a time when social media exchanges and diss tracks continue to shape public narratives around Kenyan hip hop and gengetone.
In an Instagram post shared on Wednesday, January 7, 2025, Toxic addressed artists who, in his view, rely heavily on online noise without matching that energy in real-life encounters. He criticized musicians who appear bold on social platforms but fall short when confronted face to face. According to Toxic, such confrontations expose a lack of substance behind the online bravado.
“Face to face hamwezi niambia kitu .”
He further clarified that any past disagreements he had with fellow artists had already been resolved. Toxic specifically stated that whatever tension existed between him and some musicians ended last year, emphasizing that he is not carrying forward old conflicts.
“Kulingana na mimi majua sina beef na mtu yoyote.”
Despite this position, Toxic still took a swipe at gengetone artiste Fathermoh, suggesting that he and his crew avoided direct confrontation despite recently releasing a diss track aimed at him. His comments painted a picture of artists who prefer indirect shots rather than direct engagement.
What sparked FatherMoh’s diss track against Toxic Lyrikali?
Toxic’s statement followed closely after Fathermoh released a diss track that openly targeted him. The song took aim at Toxic’s career trajectory, questioning his reach beyond local audiences and mocking his perceived lack of international performances. The track’s artwork added another layer to the provocation, featuring an AI-generated image of Toxic as a child, which many fans interpreted as a deliberate attempt to ridicule him.
In the diss, Fathermoh questioned Toxic’s global exposure with lines such as, “Passport imejaa? Unabamba tu watu wa mtaa,” implying that his influence remains largely confined to local circles. The release reignited conversations around a rivalry that has lingered between the two artists for months, with fans on both sides dissecting lyrics and intent across social media platforms.
The diss track intensified the spotlight on Toxic, even as he maintained that there was no active beef from his perspective. His response suggested that while others may continue to push the narrative of rivalry, he considers the matter settled.
How does the Tipsy Gee incident fit into the rivalry narrative?
The renewed attention also connects to an earlier viral moment involving Tipsy Gee. In a trending skit, Tipsy appeared to shade Toxic by portraying himself seated comfortably inside a car while actors labeled as Toxic Lyrikali and Fathermoh rode boda bodas. The visual metaphor suggested that Tipsy was ahead in status and momentum, while his rivals lagged behind.
The skit quickly gained traction online, with fans interpreting it as a subtle but pointed jab. Toxic, however, dismissed the significance of the clip, arguing that online popularity does not automatically translate into musical credibility. He maintained that his standing in the rap scene is built on lyrical strength and authenticity rather than skits or social media metrics.
By Lucky Anyanje