NVIIRI THE STORYTELLER, NIKITA KERING, BENSOUL & NYASHINSKI SONGS MOST STREAMED ON SPOTIFY

If 2020 was the year that flipped the world on its head, 2021 was the year that we got used to seeing things upside down. With “normal” thrown out the window, we embraced the unknown and championed all of the things that make each of us unique. Spotify’s 2021 Wrapped is a celebration of this — the millions of weird and wonderful ways to listen and live in a world that continues to keep us on our toes. 

Spotify unveiled its annual 2021 Wrapped campaign and personalised user experience inspired by just that. At the same time, we’re unveiling the top artists, albums, songs, playlists and podcasts from the creators that helped soundtrack the year for more than 381 million users worldwide. 

So, how did the world listen this year? International star Drake takes the top spot as the most streamed artist in the country. Kenya’s  Sauti Sol continue with their domination, taking up second place, followed by Justin Bieber, then Kanye West. Rounding up the top five is Nigerian superstar Burna Boy.
 

Nviiri the Storyteller’s Niko Sawa (feat. Bien)tops the list as most streamed song in Kenya, capping off what has been a great year for the Sol Generation artist. Omah Lay’s Understand is second, followed by Montero (Call Me By Your Name) by Lil Nas X, with Dua Lipa’s Levitating (feat. DaBaby) being the fourth most streamed song. The fifth most streamed song is Doja Cat’s Kiss Me More (feat. SZA). 

Drake makes an appearance once more with his album Certified Lover Boy being the most streamed album in Kenya. Doja Cat’s album, Planet Hergot a lot of love from Kenyans, landing it at number two. Justiceby Justin Bieber is third, followed by Shoot For The Stars Aim For The Moon by Pop Smoke who, even after his death, continues to top the charts. Finishing off the top five is Sauti Sol’s latest album, Midnight Train.

Niko Sawa by Nviiri the Storyteller (feat. Bien) is the most streamed Kenyan song. Ex by the young and rising star Nikita Kering’ is the second most streamed Kenyan song. It seemed to have been the go-to heartbreak song of the year — it was added to over 600 breakup playlists. The other soundtrack that defined Nairobi’s dating scene was Bensoul’s Nairobi (feat. Mejja), which lands at number three. Kitenge by Nviiri the Storyteller is fourth, followed by Hapo Tu by Nyashinski (feat. Chris Kaiga).

The most streamed Gengetone song is Shamra Shamra by Mbuzi Gang. Seventeen-year-old Trio Mio’s hit Cheza Kama Wewe makes the list as the second most streamed song. The third is Nyashinki’s Hapo Tu (feat. Chris Kaiga), followed by Chris Kaiga’s Zimeniceand Willis Raburu’s Kalale.

Most streamed Kenyan songs

1. Nviiri The Storyteller – Niko Sawa
2. Nikita Kering’ -Ex
3. Bensoul – Nairobi (feat. Mejja)
4. Nviiri The Storyteller – Kitenge
5. Nyashinski – Hapo Tu (feat. Chris Kaiga)
6. H_art the Band- My Jaber (Friday)
7. Chris Kaiga – I Want
8. Mbuzi Gang – Shamra Shamra
9. Otile Brown – Dusuma
10. Sauti Sol – Suzanna