Kenyan vocalist Idd Aziz is steadily emerging as one of the country’s most influential musical exports.
His Afro-spiritual anthem Time (Mimi), a cross-border collaboration with Germany-based artist Dhali, has topped Spotify’s 2025 Global Impact List which ranks the 30 most internationally streamed Kenyan songs in the first half of the year.
Aziz’s music, a fusion of Afrohouse, Swahili rhythms, and spiritual undertones, isn’t just thriving on streaming platforms. It’s being danced to in Berlin nightclubs, Bali beach lounges and Lisbon’s late-night radio shows.
Other songs by Aziz that made the list include the introspective ‘Mentuliza’, created with Lebanese producer Anthony Keyrouz, and the melodic ‘Penda,’ his collaboration with JimmX.
Spotify’s Global Impact List reflects more than individual success it maps a growing global appetite for Kenyan music across genres like afropop, gengetone, afro-fusion, and alt-R&B.
From household names like Bien, Savara, and Nikita Kering to boundary-pushing acts like Wakadinali, Karun, and Kato Change, Kenyan artists are gaining traction abroad without relying on traditional marketing or export strategies.
Njerae’s emotionally-charged track ‘Beg For It’ stands out as the only solo female-led entry on the list a significant milestone in a space often dominated by male artists.
Her feature as Spotify’s EQUAL Artist for June 2025 is a nod to the rising impact of female voices in the global Kenyan music movement.
Bien, formerly of Sauti Sol, appears multiple times on the list thanks to international collaborations like ‘All I Need’ and ‘Safari’, signaling his sustained influence as a solo artist. Meanwhile, Savara’s track ‘Sianda’ has quietly become a diaspora favorite across parts of Europe.
What makes this movement remarkable is its organic growth. There’s no central export policy or rollout plan. Kenyan artists are authentically resonating with global listeners through streaming platforms and international collaborations.