Kenyan music has been on an unprecedented positive growth curve for the last several years, with established artists evolving and new artists unleashing their talent with vibrant energy and diverse sounds. 2025 is no exception. From the infectious Gengetone rhythms, soulful R&B melodies and hard hitting hip-hop bangers, the Kenyan music scene is delivering a constant stream of hits and songs that you don’t want to miss. To keep you up-to-date with the best songs dominating the airwaves and playlists, we’ve compiled a list of the top 25 Kenyan songs that have set the standard for 2025 so far.

Listen to the full playlist of top Kenyan songs released in 2025 on our Spotify and on YouTube.

Click on any song to jump to it.

1. Pungulu – Angry Panda Clan & Papa Nyosto
2. Khali Cartel 5 – Khaligraph Jones Ft. Jakk Quill, Ruyonga, Fresh Like Uhh, Dyana Cods, Mex Cortez, Abbas Kubaff
3. Keki – Willy Paul & Bahati
4. Sianda – Savara
5. Hujawahi Nipenda – Nviiri The Storyteller
6. Last Name – Mau From Nowhere
7. Zimeshika – Trio Mio & Khaligraph Jones
8. Fine by Me – Genes1s & Soundkraft
9. Diamonds – Otile Brown & Jovial
10. Bembea – BlvckMoon & Saint Evo
11. Miondoko – ONENESS & Nes Mburu
12. Beg For It – Njerae
13. Khartoum – Ochungulo Family
14. Tamashani – Wakadinali Ft. Skillo, Su Dough Boss, and Katapilla
15. My Boo – 4Mr Frank White & Iyanah Kiragu
16. Jipe Shughuli Nani (Remix) – Kanzu Feat. BenaiA, OVR2, Vigel Brian, and Fushi The Sage
17. Sick – Toxic Lyrikali
18. Chill Kiasi – Flier
19. Pressure – X.O.
20. Baddies Need Love – Maandy Feat. Watendawili
21. Turn It Off – Mr. Tee & Fidel Rayd
22. TUMA MADOO | Black Tax – MATATA
23. Kifaa – Diaso & Rahmu
24. Fiti Na – Chris Kaiga
25. Hope – Njoki Karu & Fadhilee Itulya

1. Pungulu – Angry Panda Clan & Papa Nyosto
Angry Panda Clan started the year with a reminder that Gengetone is still alive and kicking. Pungulu is a banger that has been dominating the dance floors since its release and has inspired a viral dance on TikTok. It proves that Gengetone as a genre is still as strong as ever.

2. Khali Cartel 5 – Khaligraph Jones ft. Jakk Quill, Ruyonga, Fresh Like Uhh, Dyana Cods, Mex Cortez, Abbas Kubaff
The bars are back! Three years after giving us Khali Cartel 4, the legendary series returns with a twist. Expanding beyond Kenya to East Africa, Khaligraph has assembled some of the region’s best rappers to showcase their skills and keep all the hip-hop heads talking.

3. Keki – Willy Paul & Bahati
The long-awaited collaboration between Bahati and Willy Paul dropped earlier this year, and fans couldn’t get enough. With over 3 million views on YouTube and a trending remix gaining popularity on social media, this is surely one of the songs you’ll hear throughout 2025.

4. Sianda – Savara
Savara continues his fine form as a solo artist on his self-proclaimed journey to redefine Kenyan music. Sianda is a Luo-inspired banger that keeps the dance floors alive whenever it plays.

5. Hujawahi Nipenda – Nviiri The Storyteller
Nviiri returns in 2025 with a song about love and loss. He sings about losing trust in a relationship and the reluctance to continue. It’s a track that resonates with anyone familiar with lengthy texts and reflective moments.

6. Last Name – Mau From Nowhere
Mau From Nowhere opened the year with his PrePack EP, and this jungle-inspired rap track is its jewel. The rapper flows effortlessly over the production, paying homage to the musical culture of his multicultural upbringing.

7. Zimeshika – Trio Mio & Khaligraph Jones
Trio Mio links up with Khaligraph Jones for Zimeshika, a track that cements Trio’s evolution as a young rap heavyweight. Khaligraph delivers his signature aggressive flow, while Trio rides the beat with effortless confidence.

8. Fine by Me – Genes1s & Soundkraft
Fine by Me is an Arbantone track that celebrates the joy of youth and is sure to be on rotation at house parties across Nairobi. Genes1s seems to have the Arbantone secret sauce, following up the wildly successful Ikitoka with another hit.

9. Diamonds – Otile Brown & Jovial
Diamonds is a soulful Afro-R&B collaboration by Otile Brown and Jovial, delivering a powerful message of resilience and love. True to his style, Otile emphasizes that, like diamonds, true love and unwavering faith endure through life’s hardships, symbolizing strength and perseverance.

10. Bembea – BlvckMoon & Saint Evo
Since they began collaborating in 2020, BlvckMoon and Saint Evo have consistently dropped Afro House staples, and this time is no different. Bembea is built on the high BPM of Afro House, with Swahili lyrics carrying deep and introspective meanings.

11. Miondoko – ONENESS & Nes Mburu
After concluding last year with Hakuna Kulala, Nes Mburu returns with another Afro House track sure to keep you dancing. Collaborating with producer ONENESS, Miondoko explores desire and the universal feeling of wanting to be with the most captivating person at the party.

12. Beg For It – Njerae
After tugging on our heartstrings throughout 2024, Njerae starts the year with Beg For It, the lead single from her Four Letter Word EP. As her first release under Universal Music, the song stays true to her style of being hopelessly in love and sharing it with the world.

13. Khartoum – Ochungulo Family
Gengetone is making a significant push for reemergence in 2025. Ochungulo Family’s Khartoum is a throwback to the genre’s peak, filled with Nelly The Goon’s wordplay, Benzema’s flair, and D’more’s humor—a true return to form for the group.

14. Tamashani – Wakadinali ft. Skillo, Su Dough Boss, and Katapilla
Wakadinali never seem to take a break. They’ve opened the year with Tamashani, a blend of hip-hop and traditional Kenyan genres that’s become a massive hit. The song showcases the group’s versatility and sets the tone for the rest of the year.

15. My Boo – 4Mr Frank White & Iyanah Kiragu
The lyrics, melody, and production of My Boo are top-tier, making it one of the hidden gems in Kenya’s music scene this year. Built on a sample of Usher and Alicia Keys’ song, 4Mr Frank White and Iyanah Kiragu deliver a mesmerizing back-and-forth over the beat.

16. Jipe Shughuli Nani (Remix) – Kanzu ft. BenaiA, OVR2, Vigel Brian, and Fushi The Sage
What’s better than the original? The remix, of course! Kanzu assembles a stellar supporting cast to give this Amapiano-inspired track new life, allowing each artist to showcase their talents throughout Jipe Shughuli Nani.

17. Sick – Toxic Lyrikali
Toxic Lyrikali has been weaving tales of the streets since his music career began, and he’s not stopping in 2025. Sick maintains the gruff and menacing tone of his music while offering fans new stories from the Eastside, which we all love.

18. Chill Kiasi – Flier
Flier entered the scene like a breath of fresh air and has maintained that vibe ever since. He starts the year with Chill Kiasi, a track about asking your loved one to wait a bit while you sort out your affairs. The song feels both new and familiar, ensuring it’s on rotation for the rest of the year.

19. Pressure – X.O.
The latest offering from upcoming artist X.O., Pressure is a slow Afrobeat-inspired song addressing the challenges of being in a relationship and questioning a partner’s true intentions. Set against a slow and sensual beat, it creates a captivating contrast.

20. Baddies Need Love – Maandy Feat. Watendawili
In a surprising change of pace, Gengetone sensation and rapper Maandy released her Baddies Need Love EP, focusing on a more romantic and softer side. The title track features Watendawili’s Ywaya Tajiri.

21. Turn It Off – Mr. Tee & Fidel Rayd

Arbantone mainstay Mr. Tee returns with Turn It Off, a song that maintains his trend of releasing hit after hit. The rhythmic production, inspired by dancehall, is perfectly matched with braggadocious lyrics, creating a quintessential Arbantone track.

22. TUMA MADOO | Black Tax – MATATA
MATATA never shy away from making statements in their music, and TUMA MADOO is no exception. The track cleverly blends humor with social commentary, touching on the realities of financial responsibility and the “black tax” concept, all while keeping the vibe light and danceable.

23. Kifaa – Diaso & Rahmu
TikTok sensations Diaso and Rahmu make the jump from viral dance creators to full-fledged artists with Kifaa. The Gengetone track has been embraced by their massive online following and is already a staple on party playlists.

24. Fiti Na – Chris Kaiga
Ever since his debut, Chris Kaiga has always been about celebration and loving life, and Fiti Na is no different. The song is all about enjoying life and dismissing negativity, with production designed to keep you dancing—classic Chris Kaiga.

25. Hope – Njoki Karu & Fadhilee Itulya
A heartfelt, uplifting duet in both English and Kiswahili, Hope blends gospel and folk influences to deliver a message of resilience and optimism. Njoki Karu and Fadhilee Itulya create a call-and-response dynamic that builds into an upbeat anthem of encouragement.