Music is a dynamic and ever-evolving art form. Across Africa, we have seen the rise of music genres that have broken the cultural and geographical barriers to gain global recognition and transcend to having a growing dominance.
A new wave of Kenyan sound
In Kenya, as the music scene continues to evolve, a new wave of sound is taking the nation by storm. Arbantone, a fresh and vibrant genre, is capturing the hearts of young Kenyans and redefining the country’s musical landscape. Rooted in the energetic spirit of Gengetone, a popular music genre that originated in Kenya, Arbantone is becoming even more popular as it pushes the boundaries with its blend of various musical styles, creating a unique and captivating sound. This innovative approach to music in Kenya has allowed artists to express their creativity and individuality, giving them room to connect with audiences on a deeper level.
“Arbantone is definitely a cultural movement in Kenya that reflects the aspirations, struggles, and creativity of Kenya’s youth. We’re excited about the 93% rise in local music consumption in Kenya and see how Arbantone, as a growing genre, also contributed to this growth,” says Phiona Okumu, Spotify’s Head of Music for Sub-Saharan Africa.
A fusion of old and new
Nostalgia is a key element of Arbantone, as the genre frequently involves artists repurposing older songs or sampling classic beats to create a fresh and contemporary sound that resonates with Kenyan youth. Moreover, the genre’s appeal extends beyond Generation Z and Gen Alpha, as Millennials are also captivated by its ability to evoke nostalgia and relive the music of their youth.
Social media’s role in Arbantone’s success
This year, the acceptance of Arbantone as a genre was also fueled by dance challenges on social media platforms. Artists like Dyana Cods, with her viral hit song Set It, leveraged the infectious beats, new sounds and lyrical styles to engage her fans. This song made it to number 3 as the most favourite Arbantone track in Kenya, as revealed by the 2024 Spotify Wrapped data.
A new era for Kenyan music
To understand the consumption of Arbantone as a genre, one can examine the playlists created by Spotify users in Kenya. A notable example is the “Best of ARBATONE HITS 2024” playlist, which showcases the genre’s popularity. Additionally, the 2024 lists for the top-streamed Arbantone artists and tracks on Spotify reveals Lil Maina as a dominant figure, particularly with his song, “NAKAM SAI“, that also tops the list of favourite Arbantone songs in Kenya. Other artists who made the list of top streamed Arbantone Artists on Spotify in 2024 include YBW Smith and Sean MMG.
