The 'Rong' Year: Wakadinali the only Kenyan artists on Spotify’s top streams list for 2023

Popular Hip-Hop group Wakadinali, known for their heavy-hitting street lyrics, seem to have had a tremendous year musically, if the latest Spotify stream rankings are anything to go by.

This comes as the digital music service on Wednesday launched Wrapped 2023, its annual review of how people listened to artists, albums, tracks, playlists and even podcasts.

Wakadinali (made up of Domani Munga, Sewersydaa, and Scar) are not only the sole Kenyan artist in the top streamed list, landing at number 7, they are also the most searched artist in Kenya on Spotify.

And, in yet another show that the rap trio - popularly known as 'Rong Rende' - resonated with the listeners, their album ‘Ndani ya Cockpit 3’ ranks number 10 as the most streamed album in 2023.

“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. Our mission to amplify homegrown artists to global stages continues steadfastly,” says Phiona Okumu, Spotify SSA’s Head of Music. 

A look at the top list shows Kenyans enduring love for Hip Hop, and Drake, who is topping the list for the third year in a row, landing as also the top streamed artist among 18 - 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.

Kinoti’s ‘Nitangoja’ is the second most viral track on Spotify in Kenya, meaning users shared it widely so their friends and family could also enjoy the R&B goodness. 

‘Sasa Hivi’ by Vijana Barubaru and Ashley Music struck a relatable chord with Kenyan R&B lovers, making it the 10th most viral song.

Nyashinski’s ‘Perfect Design’ had the music lovers in a hold when it launched’ it was the top song every day from October 26 (a day after it was released) to November 2, 2023.

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 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 Tracks:

1.      Ayra Starr - Rush

2.      Ruger - Asiwaju

3.      Bayanni - Ta Ta Ta

4.      Fireboy DML - Bandana ft. Asake

5.      Kizz Daniel - Cough (Odo)

6.      Darassa - No Body (feat. Bien)

7.      Libianca - People

8.      Omah Lay - soso

9.      Burna Boy - Last Last

10.  Rema - Charm

1.      Sauti Sol - Lil Mama

2.      Bien - Inauma

3.      Bien, DJ Edu - Too Easy

4.      Nikita Kering’ - Last Name

5.      Fully Focus, Bien - Dimension

6.      Bien - My Baby (feat. Ayra Starr) 

1.      Burna Boy - Love, Damini

2.      SZA - SOS

3.      Omah Lay - Boy Alone

4.      Rema - Rave & Roses Ultra

5.      Metro Boomin - HEROES & VILLAINS

6.      Fireboy DML - Playboy

7.      Ayra Starr - 19 & Dangerous 

8.      Asake - Mr. Money With The Vibe

9.      Davido - Timeless

10.  Wakadinali - Ndani ya Cockpit 3