As 2025 kicks into gear, Kenya’s music scene is set for a shake-up.
A handful of musicians have shown their potential to dominate the industry, thanks to their recent projects, consistent growth, and unrelenting creativity.
From seasoned legends to emerging talents, here are five Kenyan musicians to watch out for in 2025.
Nyashinski: A timeless star
If music were a school, Nyashinski would be the brilliant student who consistently scores straight A’s, sometimes effortlessly.
He is one of Kenya’s few timeless musicians, proving his relevance over the past 20 years.
Nyashinski first rose to fame with the hip-hop group Kleptomaniax, dropping hits like ‘Tuendelee’ in 2004.
After relocating to Delaware, USA, in 2006, he took a decade-long hiatus, working as a truck driver before making a triumphant return to Kenya in 2016.
His comeback single ‘Now You Know’ cemented his status as a musical force to reckon with.
In 2024, Nyashinski released the EP ‘To Whom It May Concern’, featuring tracks like 1 of 1, Jitu (featuring Khaligraph Jones and Savara), and Busy.
With over 20 years in the industry, Nyashinski’s passion and talent remain unmatched.
Expect more stellar work from him in 2025.
Bien: A solo sensation
Following Sauti Sol’s final group performance on November 4, 2023, Bien wasted no time in launching his solo career.
His debut solo album ‘Alusa Why Are You Topless?’ released on November 17, 2023, took the music scene by storm, with every track dominating local charts.
Bien has spent much of 2024 touring globally as a solo artiste, proving he is just as compelling on his own.
With his signature smooth vocals and charisma, Bien is set to reach even greater heights in 2025.
Nadia Mukami: Queen of the East
Nadia Mukami has been a trailblazer in the Kenyan music industry from a young age, and she is showing no signs of slowing down.
In September 2024, she released her debut album ‘Queen of the East’, a 13-track masterpiece blending Afro-pop, R&B, and contemporary African sounds.
The album features collaborations with notable artistes like Bien (Kenya), Bruce Melodie (Rwanda), Wendy Shay (Ghana), and Rayvanny (Tanzania), among others.
With her exceptional talent and creativity, Queen of the East is sure to expand her musical kingdom even further in 2025.
Guardian Angel: YouTube king
Numbers don’t lie, and that is why you can confidently expect Guardian Angel to achieve even greater success in 2025.
In September 2024, when YouTube statistics were released, many were surprised to learn that Guardian Angel had been the most-watched Kenyan musician on the platform for the first nine months of the year.
Of the top 10 most-watched musicians on YouTube in Kenya in 2024, nine were international artistes, with Guardian Angel standing out as the sole Kenyan on the list.
The list was dominated by Tanzanian musicians, with Diamond Platnumz leading the pack with 123 million views, while Guardian Angel secured the sixth position with 61.7 million views.
His unmatched consistency and ability to resonate with audiences make him a standout musician.
If his momentum continues, Guardian Angel is set to dominate again in 2025.
Wadagliz: Voices of Gen Z protests
The hip-hop duo Wadagliz, comprised of Kantel Mdagliz and MannaZ, gained massive attention in 2024 with their hit single ‘Anguka Nayo’.
Released in June during the height of Gen Z protests in Kenya, the song became the unofficial anthem of online activism.
Its accompanying video, uploaded on July 3, 2024, has so far garnered nearly 10 million YouTube views.
Despite facing backlash for performing at the Mashujaa Day celebrations amid anti-government sentiments, Wadagliz’s potential is undeniable.
Whether they will ride the wave of ‘Anguka Nayo’ into 2025 or cement their status as hip-hop powerhouses remains to be seen.
One thing is certain, their future is promising.
