Spotify: Top 10 Streamed Songs and Artists in Kenya 2021

Music streaming platform Spotify has unveiled Wrapped, its annual round-up of the top artists, albums, songs, and playlists of the year as streamed by users.

In 2021, we redefined “normal” and got used to living in a world that’s constantly keeping us on our toes. 2021 is also the year when Spotify officially launched in Kenya. 

So what were the soundtracks that defined this period for Kenya? Did Kenyans turn to homegrown talent for their dose of entertainment, or were global stars the preference? Which music genre dominated the Spotify charts, and which playlists got the most love?

Most streamed artists in Kenya

1. Drake
2. Sauti Sol
3. Justin Bieber
4. Kanye West
5. Burna Boy
6. Young Thug
7. Doja Cat
8. Pop Smoke
9. The Weeknd
10. Travis Scott

Most streamed tracks in Kenya

1. Nviiri The Storyteller – Niko Sawa
2. Omah Lay – Understand
3. Lil Nas X – MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)
4. Dua Lipa – Levitating (feat. DaBaby)
5. Doja Cat – Kiss Me More (feat. SZA)
6. Justin Bieber – Peaches (feat. Daniel Caesar & Giveon)
7. Lil Nas X – INDUSTRY BABY (feat. Jack Harlow)
8. Polo G – RAPSTAR
9. The Kid LAROI – STAY (with Justin Bieber)
10. Olamide – Infinity (feat. Omah Lay)

Most streamed Kenyan songs

1. Nviiri The Storyteller – Niko Sawa
2. Nikita Kering’ – Ex
3. Bensoul – Nairobi (feat. Mejja)
4. Nviiri The Storyteller – Kitenge
5. Nyashinski – Hapo Tu (feat. Chris Kaiga)
6. H_art the Band – My Jaber (Friday)
7. Chris Kaiga – I Want
8. Mbuzi Gang – Shamra Shamra
9. Otile Brown – Dusuma
10. Sauti Sol – Suzanna

Most streamed albums in Kenya

1. Certified Lover Boy – Drake
2. Planet Her – Doja Cat
3. Justice – Justin Bieber
4. Shoot For The Stars Aim For The Moon – Pop Smoke
5. Midnight Train – Sauti Sol
6. MONTERO – Lil Nas X
7. Donda – Kanye West
8. Made in Lagos – WizKid
9. Future Nostalgia – Dua Lipa
10. SOUR – Olivia Rodrigo

Most streamed Kenyan artists

1. Sauti Sol
2. Nviiri The Storyteller
3. Otile Brown
4. Nyashinski
5. Bensoul
6. Wakadinali
7. H_art the Band
8. Mejja
9. BURUKLYN BOYZ
10. Khaligraph Jones

Best of Gengetone

1. Mbuzi Gang – Shamra Shamra  
2. Trio Mio – Cheza Kama Wewe 
3. Nyashinski – Hapo Tu (feat. Chris Kaiga) 
4. Chris Kaiga – Zimenice 
5. Willis Raburu – Kalale 
6. Dantez 254 – Ala 
7. Ethic Entertainment – Daktari
8. Ochungulo Family – Pandemik
9. Parroty – Lewa
10. Noti Flow – Foto Moto

Most streamed playlists

1. Today’s Top Hits
2. African Heat
3. Hot Hits Kenya
4. RapCaviar
5. Made in Kenya
6. Mood Booster
7. Mega Hit Mix
8. Soft Pop Hits
9. Top Gaming Tracks
10. lofi beats

Spotify has also rolled out its Wrapped creator experience for artists. With access to their own individualised Wrapped microsite experience, creators can dive into all the ways in which their fans listened this year.