Kenya’s music streaming landscape has shifted dramatically in 2025, with a new wave of home-grown artists claiming their place alongside established names in Spotify’s year end charts released on Tuesday.

For the past two years, Bien, Sauti Sol and Wakadinali have been the flag bearers of Kenyan music on Spotify’s Top 10 most streamed local artists list. This year, however, three new names have broken through. Njerae, Toxic Lyrikali and Watendawili have all secured spots in Kenya’s Top 10 most streamed songs for the first time, marking a milestone for the country’s evolving music scene.

Kenyans spent more than 180 million hours on Spotify in 2025 and that time increasingly went into championing this new wave of talent. The clearest proof sits at the very top of the charts. Njerae’s Aki Sioni outpaced every international and local contender to become Kenya’s most streamed song of 2025, with listeners aged 18 to 24 pressing play more than any other age group.

Only three of the top 10 most streamed songs in Kenya this year came from international artists. These include Kendrick Lamar with Luther, Shalipopi’s Laho and Chella’s My Darling at number 10. The remaining seven spots all belong to Kenyan musicians.

Watendawili secured four spots on the local streaming chart with Inakubalika, Matata, Cham Thum and Hadi Kesho. Toxic Lyrikali, who is also the top discovered artist in Kenya on Spotify in 2025, placed two tracks on the chart with Chinje and Backbencher landing at numbers 6 and 7 respectively.

The rise of these new voices is further strengthened by strong album performances. Njerae’s Unintentional and Watendawili’s En Route both debuted in the Top 5 most streamed local albums. These sit alongside established projects like Bien’s Alusa Why Are You Topless, which remained popular among 35 to 44 year old listeners and Sauti Sol’s Midnight Train.

Despite the surge in local talent, international artists still command significant attention. Drake continues to dominate among Kenya’s younger generation aged 18 to 24 as their most streamed artist, ranking first overall in Kenya for 2025. Kendrick Lamar remains hugely popular, ranking third.

Streaming data shows that Kenya’s listening habits are overwhelmingly driven by four main music categories: rap, hip hop, afropop and afrobeats. Alongside R&B, these genres form the core of Kenya’s 2025 streaming landscape. Spotify’s new Listening Age data shows that Kenya’s average listening age sits at 28.

Kenyan artists continued to make their mark beyond the country’s borders. Idd Aziz, Karun, Bien, Sauti Sol and rising star Zum served as ambassadors for the Kenyan sound, with their music traveling further this year. Karun dominated export charts with hits like Maharani and Mrignaini, while Zum’s Rebel and Bien’s collaboration with Marioo on Nairobi carried Kenyan music to global audiences.

Kenyan listeners also explored music across decades. The top songs by decade included Njerae’s Aki Sioni for the 2020s, Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s All The Stars for the 2010s, Chris Brown and Jordin Sparks’ No Air for the 1990s, Mario’s Let Me Love You for the 1980s and Billie Eilish’s Ocean Eyes for the 1970s.

“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,” said Phiona Okumu, Spotify’s Head of Music Sub Saharan Africa.

The 2025 data showcases Kenya’s music scene as a vibrant, evolving ecosystem where variety reigns. With a surge in local listening and the emergence of new voices alongside established favourites, the country is boldly broadcasting a new sonic identity to the world.