Wakadinali, Bensoul and Nyashinski Among Kenya’s Most-Streamed Artists in 2025
Kenyan artists Sauti Sol and Bien-Aimé Baraza lead Spotify’s 2025 streaming rankings, with Bien’s debut album named the most-streamed Kenyan release of the year.
Two years after Sauti Sol announced their split, the group continues to hold a strong position in Kenya’s music landscape. Spotify’s Wrapped 2025 report shows that the quartet’s catalogue still attracts major listenership, even as its members focus on solo projects.
Bien-Aimé Baraza’s solo career stands out prominently. His debut album, Alusa Why Are You Topless, is the most-streamed Kenyan album of 2025, and he is the platform’s most-streamed Kenyan artist. Sauti Sol follows closely in second place, with hip-hop group Wakadinali ranking third. Other leading performers this year include Toxic Lyrikali, Bensoul, Watendawili, Njerae, Nyashinski, Lil Maina and Okello Max.
Sauti Sol’s influence is also clear in the album charts. Three of their projects appear among the year’s top albums, including Midnight Train, which remains popular five years after its release under Universal Music Africa.
African Sauce and Live and Die in Africa also feature in the top ten, reinforcing the group’s long-term impact. Although global stars such as Drake, Kendrick Lamar, Travis Scott and The Weeknd remain widely streamed, Spotify’s data shows a marked increase in Kenyan listeners choosing local music.
In 2025, Kenyans streamed more than 180 million hours of music, with a substantial share dedicated to Kenyan artists. Njerae’s Aki Sioni is the country’s most-streamed track, surpassing both domestic and international competitors.
Spotify’s Head of Music for Sub-Saharan Africa, Phiona Okumu, says the findings reflect a vibrant local scene supported by both established acts and emerging voices.
She notes that Kenyan audiences have shown strong commitment to promoting homegrown talent. The report also outlines Kenya’s expanding global reach. Over the past three years, international streaming of Kenyan music has grown by 94 percent, with 2024 recording more than 95 million first-time listeners abroad. Local streaming has risen even more sharply, increasing by 277 percent in the same period. These trends indicate growing international recognition of Kenyan music.
