Kenyan music takes the world by storm as Spotify reveals impressive streaming growth
Spotify says that global listeners have spent more than 120,000 hours streaming Kenyan music in the past year
Spotify has revealed impressive global and local streaming growth for Kenyan music, signalling a rising demand for homegrown sounds.
New data shows more Kenyan artists are gaining international audiences, with Gengetone, Afro-pop, and Benga attracting millions of new listeners worldwide.
Spotify says that global listeners have spent more than 120,000 hours streaming Kenyan music in the past year, while users worldwide have created over 16 million playlists featuring Kenyan artists.
Local consumption of Kenyan music has soared by 277 per cent over the past three years, reflecting growing cultural pride and support for homegrown talent. Meanwhile, Kenya’s music exports have risen by 94 per cent during the same period.
Female artists are also seeing record-breaking international growth, the likes of Sophia Nzau topping the global charts and surpassing 10 million monthly Spotify listeners.
In 2024, international streams for female Kenyan musicians grew by 98 per cent, with stars like Sophia Nzau, Nikita Kering’, Karun, and Xenia Manasseh recording impressive global gains.
These artists are not only showcasing Kenya’s rich musical diversity but also reshaping the global narrative around African female talent.
Established male acts such as Bien, Wakadinali, Bensoul, Nyashinski, and Sauti Sol continue to dominate the streaming charts, reinforcing Kenya’s position as a hub for creative innovation.
Global listeners
Their ability to blend soulful ballads, rap, Afro-fusion, and Gengetone has helped capture millions of new listeners around the world.
"Bien’s collaboration with Suldaan Seeraar on Safari is a masterclass in cultural fusion," says Ahmed.
"It beautifully blends Somali music, a genre that remains underrated globally, with Bien’s signature Afro-fusion style. Bien’s versatility really shines here. He’s not just crossing musical borders; he’s honouring them, bringing something fresh and deeply authentic to listeners around the world."
Traditional genres like Benga are also experiencing a revival on global streaming platforms, with Kenyan musicians innovating with Benga rhythms while retaining the genre’s authenticity and finding enthusiastic audiences beyond Africa.
Kenya’s music industry is rapidly becoming a global powerhouse, with new data from Spotify revealing impressive growth in both local and international streaming numbers.
In 2024, Kenyan artists were discovered by first-time listeners over 95 million times, reflecting a growing appetite for the country’s diverse musical styles across the world.
Listeners are increasingly tuning in to genres such as Gengetone, Afro-pop, Benga, and contemporary fusion sounds that blend traditional Kenyan elements with global beats. This discovery trend is not only introducing Kenyan music to new global audiences but also reshaping perceptions of African music internationally.
Spotify’s Head of Music for Africa, Phiona Okumu, said the new figures demonstrate that Kenyan music is no longer just a regional phenomenon but a significant player on the world stage.
She noted that the growth, both domestically and internationally, is creating new opportunities for Kenyan artists and the broader cultural economy.
According to Okumu, the success story is being fueled by exceptional talent coupled with the power of digital accessibility, which enables unique sounds from Kenya to reach audiences worldwide.
The rise of Kenyan music reflects broader trends in how digital platforms like Spotify are democratizing access to global audiences; by lowering traditional barriers to entry, streaming services are allowing artists from every corner of the world to find new fans and new markets.
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