Spotify's annual Wrapped results are out, painting a vivid picture of the world's listening habits. But as global charts celebrate superstars like Taylor Swift and Drake, the data sparks a crucial conversation here at home: Can Kenyan artists compete on a global stage, and more importantly, can they win the battle for listeners in their own backyard?

The latest 2025 Wrapped data shows a fascinating duality. While international acts continue to hold powerful sway over Kenyan audiences, a new, undeniable wave of local talent is not just emerging but dominating. For the first time, a Kenyan song, 'Aki Sioni' by Njerae, became the most-streamed track in the country, outperforming all international hits.

A Tale of Two Charts

Looking abroad, Australia's results showed a near-total dominance by international artists, with global names like Taylor Swift, Drake, and Billie Eilish topping their charts. Not a single Australian artist featured in their top five songs or albums, a stark reminder of the challenge local creators face.

In Kenya, the picture is more complex and ultimately, more hopeful. While Drake was the most-streamed artist overall, the charts reveal a powerful local resistance. Seven of the top ten most-streamed songs in Kenya were by Kenyan artists, a significant shift from previous years.

This year's data signals a cultural turning point, according to Phiona Okumu, Spotify's Head of Music for Sub-Saharan Africa. “Kenya's 2025 Wrapped reveals a music scene that's more vibrant than ever," she noted. "It's inspiring to see how strongly Kenyans have streamed their own homegrown talent this year.”

The New Guard Arrives

For years, Kenya's streaming scene was predictably led by mainstays like Bien and Sauti Sol. While they remain titans, 2025 saw new artists break through in a major way. The data shows Kenyans spent over 180 million hours on the platform, increasingly championing a new sound.

• Top Overall Artist in Kenya: Drake
• Top Streamed Kenyan Artists: Bien, Sauti Sol, and Wakadinali are now joined in the top 10 by rising stars Njerae, Toxic Lyrikali, and Watendawili.
• Most Streamed Song in Kenya: 'Aki Sioni' by Njerae
• Breakout Star: Toxic Lyrikali was crowned Kenya's top discovered artist of 2025.

This shift is largely driven by listeners aged 18-24, who are propelling local tracks to the top. The success of these emerging acts is not just based on single hits; albums like Njerae's 'Unintentional' and Watendawili's 'En Route' both broke into the top five most-streamed local albums, showing deep audience engagement.

The Road Ahead

Despite this local surge, challenges remain. The economics of streaming often favour established international artists, and gaining visibility on crucial playlists is a constant battle for emerging talent. However, the 2025 Wrapped results offer the strongest evidence yet that the tide is turning.

As Kenyan artists continue to innovate and connect with a passionate local fanbase, their sound is not just being heard—it's finally topping the charts. The question is no longer if they can compete, but how high they can climb.