Kenyan female artists are making significant strides in the global music industry, with new data from Spotify revealing a sharp rise in international streams and recognition. In 2024 alone, streams of Kenyan women in music from outside the country grew by an impressive 98%, signalling a global appetite for their unique sound and storytelling.
Spotify’s Head of Music for Africa, Phiona Okumu, attributes this success to the growing influence of digital platforms and the undeniable talent within Kenya’s creative scene. “These figures show that Kenyan women are no longer just voices in local playlists — they’re resonating across continents, building international fan bases and shaping the future of African music,” she said.
Among the standout names is Sofiya Nzau, who currently leads as the most-streamed Kenyan artist on Spotify, boasting an incredible 9.6 million monthly listeners. Her music, which blends rich vocals with modern beats, was streamed 299 million times in 2024 alone, across 183 countries.
Barbara Wangui is another rising star, whose monthly listeners climbed from 978,000 in December 2024 to 1.3 million. Her tracks generated over 13 million streams from 178 countries, with a surprising hotspot of fans in Atlanta, USA.
Alté artist Njerae also continues to grow in popularity, earning 229,000 monthly listeners, with a majority of streams coming from outside Kenya. Her alternative sound and emotional depth are winning hearts far beyond East Africa.
The rapid global growth of these artists shows that Kenyan women in music are no longer in the background — they are front and centre, reshaping narratives and setting new standards for what it means to be an African female artist on the world stage.
