Arbantone Takeover! Kenyan Music On The Rise Globally

Spotify has introduced its inaugural Global Impact List in Kenya, highlighting the top 15 Kenyan tracks that have achieved significant international streaming success on the platform during the first half of 2024.

This list celebrates songs released between January 1 and June 30, 2024, that have garnered the highest number of plays outside Kenya.

The list includes various remixes of the viral hit titled ‘Digi’ by Mr Tee, Sofiya Nzau’s rendition of Mwanake ft Dj Fully Focus, Ma Cherie remix by Bien ft Fally Ipupa, Otile Brown’s Asante, and Blinky Bill’s Oh Wah among many others.

Arbantone, a genre swiftly gaining traction among Kenya’s Gen Z, prominently features on the list. Other influential genres making a mark include Afrofusion and RnB.

Phiona Okumu, Spotify’s Head of Music for Sub-Saharan Africa, commented on the initiative, saying, “Spotify’s Global Impact List underscores the influence of music streaming and the potential for local artists to establish a global presence. We are dedicated to supporting Kenyan musicians on their journey to achieve even greater international recognition.”

As genres like Arbantone, Afrofusion, and RnB continue to resonate with audiences worldwide, the future looks promising for Kenyan artists. With continued support from platforms like Spotify, the global music community can expect even more groundbreaking sounds to emerge from Kenya.