Toxic Lyrikali has overtaken Bien-Aimé Barazato become the most streamed Kenyan artist on Apple Music.

The news, confirmed during a segment on Radio 47’s Baze47NaManucho, marks a major shift in the country’s music scene. 

Toxic’s rise reflects changing listening habits, especially among younger, digital-first audiences who are gravitating toward authenticity, raw sound, and relatable lyrics.

What’s Fueling Toxic’s Rise

Lyrikali’s success hasn’t followed the usual route of radio spins or label-backed campaigns. His momentum is coming from the ground up—and online affected by the following;

Gen Z listening habits: Toxic appeals to younger audiences who consume music directly through mobile apps and short-form video platforms, bypassing radio and traditional gatekeepers.

Algorithmic exposure: Frequent engagement on TikTok and X increases the likelihood of his music being picked up by content algorithms, amplifying reach without formal marketing.

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His latest video clip, reposted by The Nairobi Times, has sparked even more buzz, with fans calling for brands like Mercedes-Benz Kenya to use it in adverts.

Fans React Online

The reactions have been passionate and varied:

“Some day I’ll write something about the genius that Toxic Lyrikali is lyrically. He’s easily my favourite artist right now.” – @officialxtatic

“Hii doba inafaa kutumiwa na @MercedesBenz kama advert apa Kenya ?” – @kacey_karash

“Yeap, my king.” – @helidah_A

Others were more sceptical:

“Even those guys screaming wamlambe surpassed Bien at some point. Where are they now?” – @kevnotsohot

“Congrats, but don’t measure success in weeks. Show me quarters and years.” – @Th3Powerpuff

Bien Still Holds Ground

Though Toxic now leads in streaming, Bien remains one of Kenya’s most accomplished artists.

His work with Sauti Sol and recent solo projects continue to earn critical and commercial respect.

But this moment signals a shift. Streaming numbers are now a public scoreboard, and Toxic is currently winning.