'I'm alive and kicking': Legendary rapper Johnny Vigeti rubbishes rumours of his death

On Thursday evening, the Kenyan Hip Hop community was thrown into confusion and utter shock after news of the alleged death of one of the country’s most renown rappers and one of the founding members of legendary hardcore rap group Kalamashaka.

News spread quickly across social media that Johnny Vigeti, a high-ranking Kenyan rap legend, had died suddenly at a Nairobi hospital.

The news was allegedly spread by none other than Vigeti's own collaborator and producer Ken Ring who, according to Kamah, one of Kalamashaka's other founding members, made the claims out of malice after Vigeti declined to work with him.

Posting a video of him sobbing on Facebook, the half-Swedish producer wrote, "I am sad and very emotional knowing that my best friend and brother for life past away at PCEA Kikuyu Hospital. I can't believe that my only friend and family is no longer with us. I hope the music that we did on 11 days will live forever. Rest in Power. The only rapper in Kenya (sic). Don't call me and don't talk.... "

The post was quickly eaten up by Vigeti's fans who flocked the comment section to send out messages of condolences.

Ken Ring also took to Twitter to alert that side of the world of Vigeti's passing, writing," Johnny Vigeti passed away, Rest in Power. "

Hours later, fellow Kalamashaka rapper Kamah took to Facebook to shoot down the claims.

Kamah did more than just write, though, he shared a video of an alive and healthy Vigeti himself rubbishing the messages of doom.

In the video, a clearly healthy and vibrant Vigeti addresses the camera while combing his beard, saying, "Hizo story manze mnaskia sio hizo manze. Majamaa tu si mnajua vile watu wanakuwanga, mimi niko alive and kicking. Ni ka misunderstanding flani kalihappen mahali but watu wengine hawajui ku handle vitu. But anyway, na appreciate, pia ni vizuri kujua watu wako. Tutajua tu vile tutafanya baadaye. Msijali."

On his Facebook page, fellow Ukoo Flani Mau Mau rapper Robah Mwenyeji also wrote,"Me humuita THE MR. A.k.a Vigeti. Kuna Mrazi tu ndio anaroroa baada ya ku catch feelings. On the real THE MR. Yuko alive tena freshy bigup Baba Njambi huyo mbleina atajizika tu mwenyewe."