The Kenyan Music fraternity has been thrown into mourning, following the passing of local artist Edgar Waititu, popularly known by the stage name 'Stoopid Boy.
His death was confirmed on Thursday August 27, 2026 by his friend and fellow artiste Raveen Domi, who shared the news while in Gotta City, Nairobi.
Domi revealed he had seen Stoopid Boy only a day earlier and that the rapper appeared to be in good spirits. The two spent some time together on the streets before the late told him he was heading to the studio to continue working on his music.
“Jamaa hata jana alikuwa tu fiti. Tumekuwa naye hapa kwa street kidogo kidogo, akaniambia anaenda studio. So alikuwa na ngoma alikuwa anaendelea kurecord,” Domi said.
Waititu rose to national prominence through his breakout hit “G-Bag Na Jug,” popularly known as “G Baga Jat”, a song that became one of the notable records associated with the rise of Arbantone, a Kenyan urban sound that gained significant popularity among young audiences in 2024.
Arbantone drew inspiration from older riddims and Kenyan urban sounds while blending them with contemporary slang, dance culture and social-media trends.
The song later received remixes and reinterpretations involving established and emerging artistes such as Mejja, Breeder LW, Gody Tennor and Spoiler, further boosting its reach.
His popularity also resulted in collaborations and increased media attention. Stoopid Boy became recognised not only for his music but also as one of the young performers representing a new generation of Kenyan urban artists who were finding audiences through digital platforms rather than relying solely on traditional music industry structures.
However, his rapid rise to fame was accompanied by personal and financial challenges. Reports published during the height of his popularity highlighted difficulties he faced despite the success of his music, bringing attention to the challenges some emerging Kenyan artists encounter after achieving viral fame.
In 2024, he was living in challenging conditions in Riverbank, an informal settlement associated with Gotta City, even as his music continued gaining attention across the country.
He documented life in Gotta City through a social media reality series, Life After Fame, showing the challenges he continued to face despite becoming a recognised musician.
In 2025, Stoopid Boy entered a rehabilitation programme and spent about three months undergoing treatment. Following his rehabilitation, he received support from fellow entertainers, as he sought to rebuild his life and return to music.
The artist continued working on music, demonstrating that his career extended beyond the song that made him famous.
His return from rehabilitation, however, was difficult. He later described feeling isolated, paranoid and depressed and struggled with the transition back to his previous environment in Gotta City, before subsequently experiencing a relapse.
Stoopid Boy's recorded catalogue included releases such as “Sangwangwa,” “Kawarm,” “Wacha Masteam,” “Sherehe” and “Gangster Lover.”
