Spotify has launched Wrapped 2023, its annual review of how people listen to artists, albums, tracks, playlists, and even podcasts.
Kenyan hip-hop stars Wakadinali take the top spot as Kenya’s most streamed artists. The top 10 streamed Kenyan artists list is dominated by acclaimed afro-pop band Sauti Sol and Sol Generation stars like Bensoul and Nviiri. Nyashinski, Buruklyn Boyz, and Lil Maina also feature on the list. ‘Ex’ hitmaker Nikita Kering is the only female artist on this list.
The most streamed Kenyan songs include Sauti Sol’s ‘Lil Mama’, Bien’s ‘Inauma’ and ‘My Baby’ ft Ayra Starr, Wakadinali’s ‘Sikutambui’ and ‘Mc Mca’ as well as the banger ‘Angela’ from Boutross.
A look at the top list shows Kenyans’ enduring love for Hip hop, and Drake, who is topping the list for the third year in a row, landing as also the top streamed artist among 18 – 34-year-olds, and the most searched on Spotify in Kenya.
The top streamed tracks list, on the other hand, is dominated by Afro beats, with the only exception being Darassa and Bien’s collaboration ‘No Body’ in sixth place. A look at the top genres puts this into perspective as rap, pop, afro beats, hip hop, and R&B are top Kenyans’ favorite genres.
“The Kenyan music scene has grown exponentially since our last Wrapped, and it is refreshing to see a Kenyan artist in the top streamed list. Our mission to amplify homegrown artists to global stages continues steadfastly,” says Phiona Okumu, Spotify SSA’s Head of Music.
Saturday leads as the top streaming day and 4 pm is the top streaming hour. Surprisingly though, Tuesday comes in as the third most popular streaming day, after Friday, so maybe recovering from the Monday blues?
Top Streamed Kenyan Artists
- Wakadinali
- Sauti Sol
- Bien
- Bensoul
- Nyashinski
- Nviiri The Storyteller
- BURUKLYN BOYZ
- Otile Brown
- Nikita Kering’
- Lil Maina
Top Streamed Artists- Drake
- Burna Boy
- 21 Savage
- Ayra Starr
- Chris Brown
- Travis Scott
- Wakadinali
- The Weeknd
- Metro Boomin
- Future
Top Streamed Kenyan Songs- Sauti Sol – Lil Mama
- Bien – Inauma
- Bien, DJ Edu – Too Easy
- Nikita Kering’ – Last Name
- Fully Focus, Bien – Dimension
- Bien – My Baby (feat. Ayra Starr)
- Wakadinali – Mc Mca
- Boutross – Angela
- Wakadinali – Sikutambui
- Bensoul – Navutishwa feat. Bien