Kenyan musician Ywaya Tajiri has emerged as one of the country's fastest-growing artists on Spotify after recording a remarkable 6,151% year-on-year increase in streams among Nairobi listeners aged 18 to 24.
According to Spotify's June 2026 streaming data, Ywaya Tajiri's hit song "Chai Ya Saa Kumi" was the most-streamed track in Nairobi during the month, marking a significant milestone for the rising artist.
The latest figures reflect changing music consumption habits in Kenya, where young listeners continue to drive the growth of streaming platforms and shape local music trends.
"Chai Ya Saa Kumi became Nairobi's most-streamed song in June 2026 as Ywaya Tajiri recorded 6,151% year-on-year growth."
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Prince Indah, Nyashinski Among Top Performers
Spotify's data also highlighted strong performances from several established Kenyan artists.
Ohangla star Prince Indah recorded a 221% increase in streams compared to the same period last year, underlining the growing popularity of the genre among younger audiences.
Gospel artist Kinoti posted 107%, with singer-songwriter Nikita Kering recording 96% year-on-year growth.
Meanwhile, award-winning band Sauti Sol remained Nairobi's most-streamed Kenya-connected act, achieving a 30% increase in streams despite the group's members pursuing individual projects in recent years.
"The figures highlight continued demand for both established acts and emerging Kenyan talent."
New Artists Continue to Rise
Spotify's June report also identified a new wave of artists experiencing rapid growth on the platform.
Female artists also continued to gain momentum. Brandy Maina posted 205% growth, while Maandy recorded 201%, reflecting increasing audience interest in Kenya's diverse music scene.
Young Listeners Driving Streaming
Spotify said listeners aged 18 to 24 accounted for 53.7% of all streams in Nairobi during June 2026.
According to the platform, this was the highest share among the three major African cities analysed—Nairobi, Lagos, and Johannesburg.
Fans Celebrate the Milestone
Spotify's latest rankings sparked excitement among music fans, many of whom praised the success of local artists.
Brian Odhiambo commented:
"Ywaya Tajiri deserves this moment. 'Chai Ya Saa Kumi' has been everywhere."
Sharon Akinyi wrote:
"It's great seeing Kenyan music dominating streaming platforms."
Kevin Mutua added:
"Prince Indah's growth shows Ohangla is reaching a much bigger audience."
Faith Wanjiku said:
"The numbers prove young people are supporting local artists more than ever."
