Kenyan Hip-Hop Streams Soar to Over 430 Million On Spotify

Kenyan hip hop has exploded on Spotify – with streams more than doubling from 170 million in 2022 to over 430 million in 2024, a near annual growth of 60%.

The genre’s fan base has also grown younger and more diverse, powered by Kenyan youth with 61% of all hip-hop plays coming from 18-24 year olds, cementing the genre as Gen Z’s unmistakable anthem.

Hip hop’s powerhouse status is, however, not limited to the youth. While early streaming audiences skewed overwhelmingly male, women now make up 27% of all Kenyan hip-hop listens (28 million total streams) up from single digits.

While Nairobi still drives the scene, clocking almost 98 million streams in 2024, deep engagement is taking root in Mombasa to Nakuru, Thika, Meru, Kisumu, Eldoret, Nyeri, Murang’a, Nanyuki and beyond. The genre has found an audience far beyond its early urban strongholds. Fans, artists and scenes are building the momentum beyond Nairobi to all directions.

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At the centre of this surge stands rap trio Wakadinali- unapologetic, street-rooted and undeniably dominant with around 46 million live streams on Spotify. From their raw Sheng drill lyricism to their fiercely independent ethos, Wakadinali embody the evolution of Kenyan hip hop from a niche subculture into a national movement.

In 2024, Wakadinali topped the list of most streamed hip-hop artists on Spotify, with tracks like Hizi Stance, Sikutambui and Kichwa Mbaya, leading performances on Spotify’s editorial playlist 254Flow, a space increasingly defined by gritty realism and fan-fuelled momentum.

Nyashinski, the second most streamed hip-hop act with 28 million streams, continues to straddle lyrical depth and mainstream success with tracks like Shots (with Cedo), Under the influence (With female hip hop heavy weight Femi one. Octopizzo is third with 23 million.

Khaligraph Jones, Buruklyn Boyz and Boutross anchor the sound’s more gritty, street-born edge. Rising voices are also reshaping the landscape too.

Toxic-Lyrikali, barely out of his teens and emerging from Kayole Estate in Nairobi’s Eastlands, is fast building a fast-growing fan base on the strength of his lyrics and grassroots momentum. His breakout track Chinje earned a place on Spotify’s 254 Flow’s top streamed songs – a major feat for an artist with no major featuring or traditional media backing. These new-gen voices aren’t waiting for industry co-signs – they’re moving audiences on their own terms.

Top 10 most streamed Kenyan Hip Hop Artists on Spotify-2024

1. Wakadinali
2. Nyashinski
3. Octopizzo
4. Buruklyn Boys
5. Boutross
6. Khaligraph Jones
7. Scar Mkadinali
8. Stella Mwangi
9. Breeder LW
10. Ajay
11. Big Yasa
12. Femi One
13. King Kaka
14. Dyana Cods
15. Sabi Wu

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