Idd Aziz named Kenya's most streamed artist abroad - Citizen Digital

Kenyan vocalist Idd Aziz. PHOTO | COURTESY

Kenyan vocalist Idd Aziz is quietly rewriting the rules of musical influence, and he’s doing it without the bluster that usually follows stardom.

His spiritual, soul-laced anthem ‘Time (Mimi)’, a collaboration with German artist Dhali, has clinched the top spot on Spotify’s newly released 2025 Global Impact List.

The annual ranking, which spotlights the top 30 Kenyan songs with the most international streams in the first half of the year, paints a vivid portrait of a music industry spreading its roots far beyond home soil.

But Aziz is far from a one-hit wonder. His other genre-blending collaborations, ‘Mentuliza’ with Anthony Keyrouz and ‘Penda’ with JimmX, also made the cut, cementing his position as Kenya’s quiet streaming powerhouse.

With a unique mix of Afrohouse, Swahili rhythms, and spiritual undertones, Aziz’s sound has found unlikely homes: from Berlin’s nightlife to Bali’s sunlit beach lounges and Lisbon’s moody radio hours.

Yet the list isn’t just the Idd Aziz show. It reveals a mosaic of Kenyan talent resonating with international audiences; from the experimental flair of Karun and Kato Change, to the unmistakable presence of Savara, Wakadinali, Bensoul, and the ever-evolving Bien.

Notably, Njerae’s emotionally raw track ‘Beg For It’ stands out as the only solo female entry on the list, offering a powerful reminder of the slowly rising female voice in Kenya’s musical export scene. Her recent nod as Spotify’s EQUAL Artist for June 2025 underscores her breakout momentum.

Bien, in his post–Sauti Sol solo era, makes multiple appearances through high-profile collaborations like ‘All I Need’ and ‘Safari’, showing no signs of fading into the background. Savara’s ‘Sianda’ is also proving to be a diaspora favorite, getting surprising spins across Europe.

What makes this wave remarkable is its organic nature. There’s no state-sponsored rollout or high-budget global tour driving it; just genuine artistry, digital discovery, and global curiosity. Kenyan music, it seems, is travelling not on the back of hype, but on the strength of craft.

As Dhali’s own comeback through ‘Time (Mimi)’ demonstrates, Nairobi is becoming a gravitational hub for cross-border collaborations. The city's influence, once thought to be local, is slowly, silently, and significantly stretching far beyond.

Spotify’s full list of Kenya’s most exported songs includes a diverse blend of afropop, alt-R&B, gengetone, and afro-fusion — further proof that the country's sound is as layered and versatile as its people.

And while many may still be asking “Idd who?” — the answer is now playing across dance floors, headphones, and playlists from Nairobi to New York. And the world, it seems, is finally listening.

Below is the full list of the 25 Kenyan songs with the most international streams so far this year:

1. DHALI, Idd Aziz - Time (Mimi)

2. Anthony Keyrouz, Idd Aziz, Sleiman Damien – Mentuliza

3. Bien, Rammor -All I Need

4. Isaiah Sharkey, Kato Change, Luedji Luna, Luiz Melodia - Joia

5. Hoax (BE), Idd Aziz, merchant -Tu Ta Le

6. Anthony Keyrouz, Idd Aziz, JimmX - Penda

7. Idd Aziz, Naarly, Thabza De Soul - Nihurumie

8. Jeff Kaale, soave lofi - 5ive more minutes

9. Kato Change, Luedji Luna, Nubya Garcia - Dentro Ali

10. Afro Lofi Guy - we'll be alright

11. Idd Aziz, Leo Guardo, Madmix - Manga - Radio Edit

12. Njerae - Beg For It

13. Lonely Night, Salim Junior, keyloud - Wangui

14. Savara - Sianda

15. Bien Darassa - Down ForYou

16. Katapilla, Skillo, Sudough Doss, Wakadinali - Tamashani

17. Afro Lofi Guy - Afrobeat

18. Beatriz Nascimento, Karina Siervi, Kato Change, Luedji Luna - Baby Te Amo

19. Bien, Rammor, keyloud -All I Need (keyloud Remix)

20. African Lofi,Afro Lofi Guy - Safari

21. Bien, Suldaan Seeraar - Fre

22. Fidel Rayd, Mr.Tee - Turn Off

23. Afro Lofi Guy- Brazilian Heat

24. IddAziz, Marc Moon - Nairobi

25. Bahati, Willy Paul - Keki