Kenyan music is enjoying its most triumphant moment yet as homegrown artists rise to the top of national streaming charts. Spotify Wrapped 2025 shows a major shift in listening habits, with Kenyan musicians driving a record 180 million streaming hours this year.
Bien, Sauti Sol, and Wakadinali have continued to anchor the industry as top-streamed local artists. At the same time, a new wave of breakout stars is rapidly taking centre stage, changing the direction of Kenya’s music culture.
A New Generation Steps Forward
For the first time, emerging acts Njerae, Toxic Lyrikali, and Watendawili have broken into Kenya’s Top 10 most-streamed songs. Their rise has expanded the visibility of Kenyan music across multiple Spotify charts.
Their strong showings are reflected in album performance as well:
- Njerae’s Unintentional debuted in the Top 5 most-streamed Kenyan albums.
- Watendawili’s En Route also entered the Top 5.
- Bien’s chart-leading album Alusa, Why Are You Topless? maintained strong traction among listeners aged 35 to 44.
- Sauti Sol’s Midnight Train remains a favourite among loyal fans.
The mix of long-established heavyweights and fast-rising newcomers marks a defining point for Kenya’s creative industry.
Kenya’s Most-Streamed Song of 2025
Njerae has achieved a major milestone, with Aki Sioni becoming the most-streamed song in Kenya this year. The track’s strongest audience is within the energetic 18 to 24 age group.
Seven of the Top 10 most-streamed songs are by Kenyan artists, signaling strong local support. Only three international hits feature in this year’s chart:
• Kendrick Lamar’s Luther
• Shallipopi’s Laho
• Chella’s My Darling
Breakout Performances Fuel Momentum
• Watendawili secured four top-charting songs, including Inakubalika and Hadi Kesho.
• Toxic Lyrikali has earned two tracks in the Top 10 local chart and was named Kenya’s most-discovered artist of the year.
These achievements show the growing influence of unique Kenyan identities and sounds in shaping entertainment trends.
Genres Defining the Kenyan Sound
Streaming data indicates four genres at the heart of Kenyan listening culture in 2025:
• Rap
• Hip Hop
• Afropop
• Afrobeats
R&B remains an important complementary genre. Spotify data also shows Kenya’s average listener age is 28, demonstrating a vibrant youth-driven market.
Kenyan Music Gains Global Reach
Kenyan artists are exporting culture more widely than before. Idd Aziz, Karun, Bien, Sauti Sol, and Zum are among the top international performers from Kenya this year.
Karun’s charting success with Maharani and Mrignaini has increased global exposure for the Kenyan sound. Zum’s Rebel and the collaborative hit Kamili by Francis Mercier have also contributed to a growing international audience.
Songs like Nairobi by Marioo and Bien continue to carry the identity of Kenya’s capital into the global music landscape.
Five Decades of Music Still Resonate
Spotify Wrapped shows that listeners continue to revisit classics from earlier decades. Both nostalgia and fresh releases contribute to how Kenyans discover and enjoy music across generations.
Top songs per decade streamed in Kenya include:
• 2020s: Njerae – Aki Sioni
• 2010s: Kendrick Lamar & SZA – All The Stars
• 1990s: Chris Brown & Jordin Sparks – No Air
• 1980s: Mario – Let Me Love You
• 1970s: Billie Eilish – Ocean Eyes
A Music Scene Transforming in Real Time
Spotify Wrapped 2025 paints a picture of a fast-evolving creative economy. Local artists are attracting more listeners, global-leaning sounds remain influential, and Kenya is innovating its music identity. With bold experimentation and growing export presence, Kenya’s sound is positioned for even greater international recognition in the years ahead.
