Wakadinali tops streaming in Kenya as Marioo leads in Tanzania

Wakadinali is also the sole Kenyan group in the top streamed artists, at No 7, in a list dominated by American and Nigerian stars. It’s also the most searched group in Kenya, whereas its album Ndani ya Cockpit 3 is one the most streamed albums overall at No 10.

Canadian hip hop star Drake is the most streamed artist in Kenya for the third year in a row. Drake is also the top streamed artist among 18 to 34 year olds, and the most searched on Spotify in Kenya.

The top streamed tracks list, on the other hand, is dominated by Afrobeats, with the only exception being Darassa and Bien’s collaboration ‘No Body’ in sixth place as rap, pop, Afrobeats, hip hop and R&B top Kenyans’ favourite genres. 

Female artists may be lacking in the top lists, but, according to the report, there has been a 61% increase in their streams in Kenya, compared to a 27% rise globally. Karun, Nikita Kering’ and Xenia Manasseh are in the top 10 most exported Kenyan artists list, whereas Nikita Kering' is the only female artist in the top 10 most streamed Kenyan artists.

“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,” Spotify SSA’s head of music, Phiona Okumu, said. “Our mission to amplify homegrown artists to global stages continues steadfastly.”

Meanwhile, Marioo is the most streamed artist in Tanzania followed by Diamond Platnumz and Drake in second and third positions, respectively.

In Uganda, Burna Boy, Drake and Ayra Starr are the most streamed artists, while Geoffrey Oryema, Lucien and Eddy Kenzo are the top three most imported artists, respectively. In an impressive showing, Ugandan singer and songwriter Azawi broke the mould, making it as the only local artist in the top 10 streamed albums at No 10.

Top streamed Kenyan artists

1. Wakadinali
2. Sauti Sol
3. Bien
4. Bensoul
5. Nyashinski
6. Nviiri The Storyteller
7. BURUKLYN BOYZ
8. Otile Brown
9. Nikita Kering’
10. Lilmaina

Top streamed Kenyan tracks

1. ‘Lil Mama’ by Sauti Sol 
2. ‘Inauma’ by Bien 
3. ‘Too Easy’ by Bien & DJ Edu 
4. ‘Last Name’ by Nikita Kering’
5. ‘Dimension’ by Fully Focus & Bien 
6. ‘My Baby’ by Bien ft. Ayra Starr
7. ‘Mc Mca’ by Wakadinali 
8. ‘Angela’ by Boutross 
9. ‘Sikutambui’ by Wakadinali 
10. ‘Navutishwa’ by Bensoul ft. Bien

Top streamed artists in Kenya

1. Drake
2. Burna Boy
3. 21 Savage
4. Ayra Starr
5. Chris Brown
6. Travis Scott
7. Wakadinali
8. The Weeknd
9. Metro Boomin
10. Future

Top streamed albums in Kenya

1. Love, Damini by Burna Boy
2. SOS by SZA
3. Boy Alone by Omah Lay
4. Rave & Roses Ultra by Rema
5. HEROES & VILLAINS by Metro Boomin
6. Playboy by Fireboy DML 
7. 19 & Dangerous by Ayra Starr
8. Mr. Money With The Vibe by Asake
9. Timeless by Davido 
10. Ndani ya Cockpit 3 by Wakadinali

Top exported Kenyan artists

1. Idd Aziz
2. Sauti Sol
3. Bien
4. Otile Brown
5. Karun
6. Jeff Kaale
7. Lexsil
8. Nikita Kering’
9. Ayub Ogada
10. Xenia Manasseh

Top streamed artists in Tanzania

1. Marioo
2. Diamond Platnumz
3. Drake
4. Burna Boy
5. Harmonize
6. Chris Brown
7. Ayra Starr
8. Asake
9. Davido
10. The Weeknd

Top streamed artists in Uganda 

1. Burna Boy
2. Drake
3. Ayra Starr
4. Asake
5. Davido
6. Chris Brown
7. Fireboy DML
8. Ruger
9. Rema
10. Omah Lay