Music
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LIFESTYLE
Spotify Celebrates Amapiano’s First Decade
In 2023, South African dance genre Amapiano, hit over 1.4 billion streams on Spotify. The genre’s influence on the music culture in South Africa, and beyond has seen the world grip in an Amapiano frenzy from dance challenges to inspired collaborations and fusions. In Kenya, Amapiano listenership increased by 74% between 2023 and 2024. This critical influence has led to…
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LIFESTYLE
Zoë Modiga is Spotify EQUAL Africa’s June Ambassador
Renowned South African singer and songwriter Zoë Modiga has been announced as EQUAL Africa’s June Ambassador. Zoë is a jazz and soul artist known for her dynamic voice, innovative compositions, and deep connection to her cultural roots. She recently released her newest album in April titled “Nomthandazo”, following the acclaimed success of her previous works “Harmonic Soul”, “Yellow: The Novel” and “Inganekwane”. Spotify’s EQUAL program supports…
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LIFESTYLE
How to Shinda Ticket ya Mugithi na Odibets
It’s that time of the year, and you might be wondering utavukia mwaka wapi? Worry no more, one of the biggest events in Kenya is going down at Absa Grounds along Thika Road dubbed Crossover Mugithi. The event has attracted Kikuyu maestro musicians who will be headlining the event including Samidoh and Muigai wa Njoroge. To ensure you don’t miss…
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LIFESTYLE
Spotify’s Afrobeats Journey to a Billion Streams Site gets Fresh Updates
Early this year, Spotify dedicated a site to Afrobeats, celebrating its global impact and African roots. The site that quickly became an online hub dedicated to all things Afrobeats just got fresh updates. Afrobeats enthusiasts can now feed their passion with details about the most streamed Afrobeats tracks, albums and artists in 2023. This new content is an addition to the available information…
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LIFESTYLE
Where Faith meets Rhythm: The Deep Connection between Africans and Gospel music
In the vibrant tapestry of African music, gospel holds a special place. Its soulful melodies and uplifting messages resonate deeply with listeners across the continent. American gospel music might have taken the forefront as a preferred source of inspiration for Gospel music lovers but African listeners are increasingly rediscovering and embracing their homegrown gospel sounds. African gospel music is deeply…
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LIFESTYLE
How Eric Musyoka brought gengetone and rhumba to Showmax animation Twende
Eric Musyoka has made a name for himself not only in the Kenyan music industry but also in the film and TV industry. The legendary music producer and industry pioneer has worked with artists like Ukoo Flani Mau Mau, P-Unit, Kleptomaniax, Bamzigi, Wyre, Sauti Sol, Just A Band and more. He has also worked on some of Kenya’s top films…
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NEWS
Hip hop at 50: Insights from Spotify’s Top Streamed Artists in Kenya
As Hip hop celebrates its 50th anniversary, the genre’s journey in Kenya stands out as a testament to its global influence. Drake, Burna Boy, 21 Savage,and Metro Boomin are the top streamed artists of the genre in Kenya, according to Spotify data, with Kenya’s own Wakadinali occupying the fifth spot. The Hip hop music scene in Kenya is vibrant and…
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NEWS
Music consumption in the digital era
Music is a universal language that unites people, and everyone should be able to enjoy it at their fingertips without the hindrance of data or subscription costs. For those months when money is a little tight but you still want to be able to enjoy tracks from your favorite artists legally, Spotify’s Free Tier offers the same quality listening experience…
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NEWS
Sparks fly as Amapiano meets Bongo
There’s a new rhythm shaking up the airwaves that is as electrifying as a lightning storm on the dancefloor! The infectious beats of Amapiano, the South African sensation that’s been moving hips worldwide, have swirled their way into the heart of Bongo music, creating a fusion that’s like nothing you’ve ever heard before. In the world of music, unexpected collaborations…
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NEWS
Jocelyne Muhutu-Remy: The fusion of sport and music and the opportunities for economic benefits in Africa
There aren’t many things in this world that hold as important a place in so many people’s hearts – that captivates, inspires, and brings people together in community and celebration – like both sports and music does. More than just a sound, music connects us to one another, to our culture, our heritage and tells our stories. It allows us…
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NEWS
Afrobeats as a tool for Cultural Export
The result of Afrobeats crossing its West African borders has not only impacted music, it has also been a vehicle for food, dance and language export. This cultural exportation currently taking place thanks to Afrobeats’ prevalence in mainstream global media is the focus of this week’s update to Spotify’s Afrobeats:Journey of a Billion Streams site. Launched by Spotify last month…
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NEWS
Spotify celebrates Teni as EQUAL Africa ambassador for August
Spotify has today announced Teniola Apata, popularly known as Teni, as its EQUAL Africa artist for the month of August. Since her arrival on the Nigerian music scene, the award-winning Nigerian songwriter, singer, performer, actress and social media sensation has become one of the most sought-after names in the African music sphere. This recognition comes as part of Spotify’s ongoing commitment…
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NEWS
Unveiling the Evolution of Gengetone: How Spotify’s Gengetone Fire was crafted
Kenya’s music scene has been witnessing a significant shift in recent years, with a new and vibrant genre, Gengetone, taking center stage. Spotify has created a one stop destination for Kenya’s hottest music genre; Gengetone Fire. This homegrown style of music has rapidly grown in popularity and has become a cultural phenomenon that resonates with Kenyan youth, specifically those aged 18-24 according to Spotify data over the…
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NEWS
Afrobeats’ Fusion: Spotify’s Journey of a Billion Streams Continues
Afrobeats in recent times has been known to reinvent itself through the fusion with other music genres. Which are some of the key genres that Afrobeats has been fused with over the years? What do the fans think of these fusion sounds? What has been the impact of fusing Afrobeats with other sounds? This week’s update to Spotify’s Afrobeats: Journey…
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NEWS
Odibets is partnering with Khaligraph Jones to launch the ‘OdiNare’ rap challenge
Khaligraph Jones has partnered with Kenya’s leading betting firm Odibets under their Odimtaani initiative to launch the ‘OdiNare’ rap challenge. The goal of the online rap challenge is to uplift talented rappers who are struggling to come up in the Kenyan music industry. Last week, Khaligraph Jones went live on Instagram in a lengthy video highlighting how rappers in the…
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NEWS
Spotify Expands Its Promo Share Card Tool for Artists
In October last year, Spotify for Artists launched its Promo Card microsite, allowing creators to easily generate eye-catching shareable social media assets to share with their fans on social media. The Spotify Promo Card microsite also included graphics to promote an artist, their songs, their album, or when they’re added to some of Spotify’s most popular playlists. With hundreds of…
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Uncategorized
New Music Alert: Itakuwa Sawa by Miss Kuria
Known for her sultry voice and killer vocals, Miss Kuria has released the video to her empowering song Itakuwa Sawa. Itakuwa Sawa talks about everyday’s life struggles and with depression cases being reported to be on a rise as a result; this song is an assurance that things will be okay, even after it’s all been said and done, never give up. …
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Uncategorized
Redsan is launching his ‘’The Baddest’’ album on September 15th
Kenyan King of Dancehall and Sony Music artist: Redsan known for among other mega hits: “Shoulder Back”,“Badder than Most” and “Yule Pale” is set to launch his brand new album titled THE BADDEST on 115th September 2018 at the Carnivore Grounds from 6 PM. Touted as the biggest album launch Kenyans are set to witness in 2018, the concert will…
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