Kenya’s reggae fraternity is in mourning following the heartbreaking news of the death of veteran entertainer MC Fullstop.
The reggae hypemaster had been battling tuberculosis (TB), and it had resulted in him losing his voice and his left lung.
The entertainer, born John Maina, a revered reggae MC and DJ known for his infectious energy, booming voice, and larger-than-life stage presence, passed on after decades of lighting up Kenya’s music scene.
News of his death struck a particularly painful chord for many fans, especially given past instances where he had to address false reports of his demise. This time, heartbreakingly, the news is true.
For years, MC Fullstop was the lifeblood of dancehall nights, a magnetic force behind the mic who could whip up a crowd into a frenzy with just a few words, none more iconic than his chant: “Thika! Thika! Thika!” The phrase, a signature opening to one of his most popular mixes, became an anthem across the country’s dance floors.
Associated with the famed Supremacy Sounds DJ crew, MC Fullstop’s name was synonymous with pure, undiluted reggae and dancehall. He ruled the decks from as early as the 1990s, performing at countless events across Kenya and beyond.
His collaborations with DJ Juan, Tall Smash, and other top selectors elevated reggae’s place in Kenyan pop culture. His performance alone cemented him as not just an MC but a cultural icon.
Media personality Maina Kageni was among the first to eulogise him: “Unmistakable energy, why lie!!! Shine on your way MC Fullstop. Thank you for all the entertainment. Legend.”
Unmistakable energy, why lie!!! ???. Shine on your way Mc Fullstop. Thank you for all the entertainment. Legend! pic.twitter.com/eIp18Q3RpD
— Maina Kageni (@ItsMainaKageni) August 1, 2025
On social media, tributes continue to pour in from fans and fellow entertainers.
“Today, reggae lost its heartbeat,” one user posted. “No one held a mic like MC Fullstop. You made every ghetto youth believe they mattered.”
Others recalled nights at popular reggae joints where his voice cut through the basslines like a beacon, guiding the vibe, setting the pace.
His Instagram page, once filled with clips of euphoric fans and fiery mixes, has now become a memorial wall, flooded with crying emojis, broken hearts, and nostalgic messages of gratitude.
As the curtain falls on one of Kenya’s most electrifying voices, a heavy silence settles over the reggae community. But even in grief, his echoes will live on in every dubplate, every riddim drop, and every fan who ever danced because he said so.