Five years after entering the Kenyan market, Spotify says local listeners are streaming, discovering and engaging with music at unprecedented levels.
Since launching in February 2021, the global music streaming platform has reshaped how Kenyans consume music, powering a new generation of digitally savvy fans who rely on streaming to explore fresh sounds and emerging artists.
“The big picture: listening keeps compounding,” Spotify noted, pointing to a consistent rise in year-on-year growth since the launch.
Amapiano Leads Kenya’s Streaming Boom
Spotify converted its early momentum into sustained expansion, recording an average growth rate of 68 percent through last year. The surge reflects a youthful audience that actively seeks new releases and breakout stars.
According to Spotify, the South African-born genre Amapiano has driven much of this growth, dominating Kenyan playlists and influencing listening trends nationwide.
Between 2021 and 2025, Amapiano streams in Kenya skyrocketed by 1,404 percent, cementing the genre’s powerful grip on local audiences and confirming its status as a cultural force in the country’s streaming landscape.
Gospel, Afrobeats, R&B, and Hip-Hop Surge
Spotify’s data shows that Kenyan listeners are expanding their musical tastes across multiple genres.
Gospel and Praise music streams jumped by 1,103 percent over the five-year period, while R&B grew by 737 percent. Afrobeats recorded a 680 percent increase, and hip-hop/rap expanded by 520 percent.
These gains highlight a dynamic and evolving streaming culture, where Kenyan users actively diversify their playlists rather than sticking to a single sound.
Rising Demand for Indigenous Language Music
Spotify’s latest insights also reveal growing interest in Kenyan indigenous languages.
“Listening to music in Kenyan indigenous languages is rising sharply, both inside Kenya and beyond,” the report noted.
Within Kenya, streams of songs performed in local languages climbed by more than 101 percent over the past five years. The growth points to a renewed appreciation for cultural identity, amplified by the accessibility of digital streaming platforms.
Global Stars and Local Hits Dominate Playlists
Over the past five years, Kenyan listeners have consistently supported both international chart-toppers and homegrown talent.
Spotify ranks Drake, Chris Brown, Future, Burna Boy, and Travis Scott among the most-streamed artists in Kenya, underscoring the country’s appetite for global hits.
At the same time, several chart-dominating tracks have shaped local playlists. Songs such as “Asiwaju” by Ruger, “Rush” by Ayra Starr, and “Bandana” by Asake and Fireboy DML have attracted massive streams.
Other standout hits include “Inauma” by Bien, “Lonely At The Top” by Asake, “Aki Sioni” by Njerae, “Beta” by Mutoriah, “Last Last” by Burna Boy, “WAIT FOR U” by Drake, Future, and Tems, and “Sina Noma” by Charisma.
Spotify Becomes a Launchpad for Kenyan Artists
Beyond global hits, Spotify has evolved into a powerful distribution channel for Kenyan musicians. Since its debut, the number of Kenyan artists uploading music to the platform has grown by 112 percent, opening doors for local talent to reach audiences both at home and abroad.
The rise signals a stronger pipeline of Kenyan creators tapping into international markets through streaming.
203 Million Streaming Hours in One Year
Kenyan listening habits have transformed alongside Spotify’s expanding catalogue.
In the past year alone, Kenyans streamed more than 203 million hours of music on the platform, reflecting how deeply streaming has integrated into daily routines. Podcast consumption has also gained traction, with users logging over 35 million hours since Spotify launched in the country.
Discovery now sits at the heart of user behavior. In a recent month, the average Kenyan listener streamed music from 124 different artists, clear evidence that audiences actively explore beyond familiar names.
Spotify’s data shows that the typical Kenyan user is 26 years old, highlighting the platform’s strong appeal among a digitally native generation that shapes cultural conversations in real time.
Listeners are not just consuming content: they are curating it. Over the past five years, Kenyans have created more than nine million playlists, tailoring their music to specific moods, genres, and moments.
Together, these figures reveal a decisive shift in Kenya’s music consumption patterns. Streaming has moved beyond passive listening. Today’s audience searches for new sounds, uplifts local artists, and seamlessly blends global icons with homegrown stars in a rapidly evolving digital music ecosystem.