For two years straight, Bien, Sauti Sol, and Wakadinali have been the flagbearers of Kenyan music, consistently holding spots in Spotify’s Top 10 most‑streamed local artists.
They have stood shoulder‑to‑shoulder with global icons like Drake, Kenya’s most‑streamed artist among 18–24‑year‑olds, and Kendrick Lamar, who remains a perennial favourite.
But 2025 tells a different story. Kenyans spent more than 180 million hours on Spotify this year, and much of that listening time shifted toward a new wave of homegrown talent.
New Wave, New Visibility
Spotify Wrapped 2025 highlights a turning point: emerging Kenyan musicians are breaking into charts once dominated by established names.
- Njerae, Toxic Lyrikali, and Watendawili all cracked Kenya’s Top 10 most‑streamed songs for the first time.
- Njerae’s Unintentional and Watendawili’s En Route debuted in the Top 5 local albums, joining Bien’s Alusa, Why Are You Topless? and Sauti Sol’s Midnight Train.
This isn’t just chart movement; it’s a cultural shift. Trusted favourites and future‑shaping voices are now sharing the spotlight, signalling a more diverse and dynamic Kenyan soundscape.
The Song That Defined 2025
The clearest proof of this new moment? Njerae’s “Aki Sioni.” It became Kenya’s most‑streamed song of the year, outpacing both local and international heavyweights. Young listeners (18–24) pressed play more than any other group, showing how Gen Z is actively shaping the country’s sonic identity.
Only three of Kenya’s Top 10 songs this year came from international acts: Kendrick Lamar’s Luther, Shallipopi’s Laho, and Chella’s My Darling. The rest were proudly Kenyan.
Depth of the New Wave
- Watendawili secured four spots on the local streaming chart, proving consistency matters.
- Toxic Lyrikali not only landed two tracks (Chinje and Backbencher) in the Top 10 but was also Kenya’s most‑discovered artist of 2025. His raw, unfiltered sound is resonating widely.
Together, these achievements show Kenyan artists aren’t just participating in culture; they are defining it.
Genres Driving Kenya’s Sound
Kenya’s listening habits in 2025 were dominated by:
- Rap
- Hip Hop
- Afropop
- Afrobeats
- R&B (as a strong supporting genre)
Spotify’s new “Listening Age” data revealed Kenya’s average listening age is 28, underscoring how millennial and Gen Z audiences are shaping demand.
Export Titans
Kenya’s sound is travelling further than ever:
- Karun dominated with exported hits like Maharani and Mrignaini.
- Zum’s “Rebel” and Francis Mercier’s Kamili carried Kenyan rhythms abroad.
- Bien and Marioo’s “Nairobi” pulsed across global playlists.
These artists are proving that Kenya’s music isn’t just local—it’s borderless.
Nostalgia Meets Modernity
Kenyan listeners also explored music across five decades, blending nostalgia with modern hits:
- 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
Throwbacks remain a vital part of the listening experience, showing how Kenyan audiences balance heritage and innovation.
What This Means for Artists
For Kenyan musicians, 2025 is a wake‑up call and an opportunity:
- Visibility is shifting: Emerging artists can break into charts faster than ever, thanks to streaming.
- Consistency matters: Multiple chart entries (like Watendawili’s four tracks) build credibility and fan loyalty.
- Discovery is powerful: Toxic Lyrikali’s rise shows that being “found” can be as impactful as being “followed.”
- Global reach is real: Export success stories prove Kenyan artists can compete internationally without losing their local identity.
- Audience diversity: With an average listening age of 28, artists must balance Gen Z’s appetite for raw, experimental sounds with millennials’ loyalty to established acts.
The Bigger Picture
Phiona Okumu, Spotify’s Head of Music Sub-Saharan Africa, summed it up:
“Kenya’s 2025 Wrapped reveals a music scene that’s more vibrant than ever. It’s inspiring to see how strongly Kenyans have streamed their own homegrown talent this year, championing rising voices while still celebrating the artists who’ve shaped the culture.”
Kenya’s music ecosystem is no longer just about stars. It’s about variety, discovery, and reinvention. For artists, this means the future is unpredictable but also limitless.
