A new generation of homegrown artists is breaking into the country’s most coveted streaming lists.
Spotify Wrapped 2025 reveals a significant shake-up, with rising talents Njerae, Toxic Lyrikali and Watendawili breaking into Kenya’s top 10 most-streamed local artists for the first time.
For two consecutive years, established favourites Bien, Sauti Sol and Wakadinali have dominated Kenyan streaming culture.
Their reign has held firm even as global giants such as Drake, once again Kenya’s most-streamed artist overall, and Kendrick Lamar, who ranks third, remained hugely popular among the country’s younger listeners.
But this year’s data shows a shift.
Kenyans spent more than 180 million hours on Spotify in 2025, with an increasing share devoted to fresher voices, signalling a change in taste and influence.
The most striking development is Njerae’s rise to the top. Her song Aki Sioni is Kenya’s most-streamed track of the year, outperforming every international and local contender.
Watendawili and Toxic Lyrikali have also gained ground, each making major strides across multiple charts.
Watendawili secured four spots on Spotify’s local streaming list with Inakuballika, Matata, Cham Thum (Atoti) and Hadi Kesho.
Toxic Lyrikali has emerged as Kenya’s most-discovered artist on the platform this year, with his raw, unfiltered style powering two songs, Chinje and Backbencher, into the top 10.
Njerae’s Unintentional and Watendawili’s En Route both debuted among the five most-streamed local albums of 2025, alongside Bien’s Alusa, Why Are You Topless?, still popular among 35–44-year-olds, and Sauti Sol’s Midnight Train.
Only three non-Kenyan tracks made the country’s overall top 10 this year: Kendrick Lamar’s Luther, Shalipopi’s Laho and Chella’s My Darling.
Rap, hip hop, afropop and afrobeats continue to lead listening preferences, with R&B playing a strong supporting role.
Spotify’s new Listening Age feature shows the average age of Kenyan listeners is 28, a youthful demographic increasingly invested in shaping the country’s contemporary sound.