Top 10 Musicians in Kenya 2025

Kenya’s music scene isn’t just evolving, it’s exploding with technicolor brilliance. From the sunbaked streets of Mombasa to the pulsing nightclubs of Nairobi, a new generation of artists is rewriting the rules of East African music. While legendary group Sauti Sol once reigned supreme, their legacy has sparked an unprecedented creative renaissance.

Today’s Kenyan soundscape is a feast of genres: the raw energy of Genge, the soul-stirring power of gospel, and innovative fusions that defy categorization. Each sunrise seems to unveil another breakthrough artist, each with a unique story to tell and a fresh sound to share.

As Research 8020 Limited embarked on an ambitious nationwide survey to crown Kenya’s top 10 musical titans of 2025, one thing became clear: this is more than a list—it’s a snapshot of a cultural revolution. Ready to discover who’s shaping the future of African music?

1. Otile Brown

Move over, kings, there’s a new emperor in Kenya’s musical kingdom! While Sauti Sol owned the last decade like a well-tailored suit, Otile Brown stormed in like a musical tsunami, flipping the script and rewriting all the rules. This smooth operator isn’t just climbing charts; he’s demolishing them!

As 2025’s crowned champion in Research 8020’s rankings, Otile’s got the industry wrapped around his finger tighter than a hit chorus. With “Dusuma” blazing past 42 million YouTube views, he’s not just making waves—he’s causing earthquakes in stilettos! And here’s the kicker: this musical maverick is just warming up. The throne? Yeah, it’s got his name on it!

2. Willy Paul

When Willy Paul burst onto Kenya’s music scene, he didn’t just enter – he exploded. Wilson Abubakar Radido transformed from a gospel sensation to a crossover phenomenon, leaving an indelible mark on East African music. His magnetic collaborations with Jamaican stars Alaine and Ce’cile catapulted him onto the international stage. With his signature blend of afro-beats and soul-stirring vocals, Willy Paul has become more than just another artist – he’s a cultural force. His smash hit ‘I DO’ featuring Alaine didn’t just go viral; it shattered records with over 41 million YouTube views, cementing his status as Kenya’s musical powerhouse.

3. Nyashinski

Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, Nyashinski’s return to Kenya’s music scene wasn’t just a comeback but a revolution. From his razor-sharp lyrical days with Kleptomaniax to his current reign as Kenya’s hip-hop sovereign, he has proven that true talent never fades. After a mysterious hiatus that left fans hungry, he exploded back onto the stage with the force of a musical tsunami. Now, crowning Research 8020’s elite list of Kenya’s top 10 artists for 2025, his masterpiece “Malaika” has bewitched over 22 million viewers, proving that when Nyashinski sings, Kenya stops to listen.

4. Bahati

From street orphan to music royalty, Bahati’s story isn’t just about success – it’s about defying gravity. The self-proclaimed ‘Mtoto wa Mama’ has transformed into Kenya’s hitmaking machine, dropping chart-toppers like a musical meteorite. His trophy cabinet groans under the weight of awards, while his influence stretches across Africa like a musical tornado. Landing on Research 8020’s prestigious 2025 rankings wasn’t just luck – it was destiny. His viral sensation ‘Adhiambo’ demolished charts with 32 million YouTube views, proving that Kenya’s golden boy has evolved into music’s unstoppable force.

5. Guardian Angel

When Guardian Angel lifts his voice, it’s not just music, it’s a divine conversation that’s setting Kenya’s gospel scene ablaze. This celestial crooner has transformed worship into an art form, weaving melodies that bridge heaven and earth. His meteoric rise from Research 8020’s number 8 spot in 2024 to the 5th spot in 2025 is a spiritual revolution with his Napenda hit song surpassing 20 million YouTube views. With every note, he’s redefining gospel music, turning traditional praise into a soul-stirring experience that’s captured hearts from Nairobi to Nigeria. In Kenya’s gospel realm, Guardian Angel isn’t just singing; he’s creating a New Testament of musical excellence.

6. Nadia Mukami

Nadia Mukami isn’t just breaking glass ceilings – she’s shattering them with her sonic boom of talent. This “African Popstar” doesn’t just make music; she crafts musical spells that have bewitched the continent. Her collaboration with vocal goddess Sanaipei Tande on “Wangu” didn’t just attract 13 million YouTube views – it sparked a musical revolution. Every verse she drops is a masterclass in artistry, every rhythm a testament to her crown-worthy status. As Kenya’s most electrifying female artist, she’s not climbing the ladder of success – she’s building her throne. The question isn’t if she’ll be crowned Kenya’s first music queen; it’s when.

7. Wakadinali

As Sauti Sol’s members ventured into solo territories, leaving a void in the top 10, Wakadinali emerged as the unexpected successors. Their ascent has been nothing short of extraordinary, leaping seven spots from position 14 to clinch the number 7 spot on Research 8020 Limited’s coveted 2025 rankings. Their unique fusion of street vernacular, hip-hop beats, and authentic ‘sheng’ has resonated powerfully with audiences, multiplying their fanbase exponentially. The proof lies in their breakout hit ‘Geri Ineng’, which has amassed over 11 million YouTube views, cementing their status as Kenya’s newest musical phenomenon.

8. H_art the Band

Think art meets music, then multiply it by pure genius – that’s H_art the Band for you. This trio of visionaries – Mordecai Mwini Kimeu, Wachira Gatama, and Kenneth Muya Mukhwana – isn’t just making music; they’re painting sonic masterpieces that blur the lines between poetry and melody with their hit song El Shaddai amassing 19 million YouTube views. Though they’ve slipped from 7th to 8th on Research 8020’s 2025 rankings, their grip on Kenya’s musical imagination remains ironclad. In a scene where artists come and go like seasons, these aesthetic revolutionaries have turned their musical poetry into a movement, proving that true artistry knows no boundaries.

9. Gloria Muliro

When Gloria Muliro opens her lips, heaven seems to pour through her melodies. Her gospel isn’t just music, it’s a spiritual awakening wrapped in vocal perfection. While others flood the market with disposable hits, Gloria’s calculated silence speaks volumes; she’s mastered the art of musical patience. Her anthem “Narudisha” didn’t just collect 17 million YouTube views, it became a timeless testimony. Landing at number 9 on Research 8020 Ltd’s 2025 rankings proves that in a world obsessed with quantity, Gloria’s quality-over-quantity approach isn’t just working – it’s the divine strategy that’s stood the test of time.

10. Samidoh

Samido didn’t just bring Mugithi to the mainstream – he revolutionized it and turned it into a cultural phenomenon that crashed through language barriers like a musical bulldozer. While skeptics doubted vernacular music’s place among Kenya’s elite, this maverick proved them spectacularly wrong. Sliding into Research 8020’s 2025 top 10 at number 10, he’s the only vernacular artist brave enough to crash this exclusive party. His hit “Wendo Wi Cama” didn’t just rack up 9 million YouTube views; it became a cultural touchstone. Between his groundbreaking sound and headline-grabbing controversies, Samido hasn’t just preserved Mugithi – he’s transformed it into a modern musical force that demands respect.

And there you have it – the top 10 music artists making waves in Kenya as of 2025.

From household names to promising newcomers and new entrants, these musicians represent the very best of the vibrant Kenyan music scene.

View the full report with 50 artists here.

To learn more about this report and how it was compiled, please contact us.

We hope you enjoyed this breakdown of the top artists in Kenya!