The hip hop song Halfway by Kenyan artist Khaligraph Jones is a lyric-driven storytelling experience that feels very intimate and deliberate. Rather than relying on heavy, explosive production, the track prioritizes a reflection about the artist’s personal narrative and experience. Khaligraph and Mordecai’s delivery throughout the track and flow is measured, intentional, and controlled, highlighting their technical dominance, a nod relating to the track’s title of never doing anything halfway. 

One of the coolest aspects of the song in my opinion, the mix of English, Swahili, and Kenyan dialect Sheng, which keeps the song tied to its East African roots while simultaneously reinforcing cultural hybridity. I felt like this made the song feel more personal and authentic because language is a known indicator to strengthen a community or environment. 

There are many lyrical techniques that Khaligraph Jones employed throughout the track that showcase his talent. The wordplay and alliteration used throughout the track, an example being “Seashore selling seashells”, shows how a repetition of sharp consonants enhances the rhythm and momentum. There also are many pop culture and historical references peppered throughout the song, touching on topics such as Jeff Van Gundy, DMX, and local Kenyan political tensions involving election vote counting. These references situate Khaligraph within both global hiphop culture and local political reality, emphasizing the intersection between the two.

Many of the themes on the track touch on commitment, resilience, and the emotional complexity of navigating success. Khaligraph acknowledges and reflects on the struggle, envy, and pressure he experiences as an artist without sounding resentful. The recurring idea that he still has many stories to tell makes the song feel ongoing, rather than having a solid and finite conclusion. Overall, I enjoyed the influence of Halfway, and it stands as a track that highlights effort in both music and life.