In the ever-evolving landscape of Kenyan music, a surprising trend involving Gen Zs has emerged on Spotify’s City Express playlist.

Launched in February 2023, the playlist has seen a significant shift in its listener demographics, defying conventional expectations.

A report by Spotify notes the emergence of a new sound reminiscent to the 80s and 90s sounds similar to Rhumba & Zilizopendwa.

“But there’s a new sound that’s gaining prominence and fans, and it is reminiscent of the sounds of the 80s and 90s such as Rhumba and Zilizopendwa,”

“While newer artists such as Watendawili  and Okello Max are some of the acts in this genre, more established artists like Bien and Nyashinski have also dabbled in it, Spotify’s City Express playlist is the home of this sound,” reads the report.

Data from Spotify

Traditionally, one might have assumed that the playlist’s top listenership would come from millennials, who are more familiar with the nostalgic sounds of Rhumba and Zilizopendwa that the playlist features.

However, according to Spotify’s data over the last 90 days, the largest audience for the City Express playlist is the 18-24 age group, accounting for a staggering 39% of the playlist’s streams.

Also Read: Why Gen Zs are Quitting Jobs Right, Left and Centre

The 25–29-year-olds are not far behind, making up 32% of the listenership and lastly are the 30–34-year-olds who only contribute to 16% of the playlist’s streams.

This unexpected trend suggests that the younger generation, the Gen Z listeners, have developed a strong fascination with the retro inspired yet modern sound featured on the City Express playlist.

Artists Contributing to Popularity of the Sound Among Gen Zs

The playlist’s growing popularity among the younger generation can be attributed to the artists who have been prominently featured since its launch.

Artists like Okello Max, Bensoul, ItsYaba, Bien, Charisma, and Watendawili have been the most frequently appearing acts on the City Express playlist.

Their tracks have resonated with the Gen Z audience, contributing to the playlist’s remarkable growth.

Over the past year, the City Express playlist has seen an overall growth of 121%, while the Gen Z streams have surged by an impressive 110%.

This surge in Gen Z listenership is a testament to the power of nostalgia and the ability of Kenyan artists to captivate a new generation of music enthusiasts.

International Streaming of the playlist

The appeal of the City Express playlist extends beyond Kenya’s borders as well.

While Kenya is naturally the top streaming country for the playlist, Tanzania and Uganda have also emerged as significant contributors to its success.

Surprisingly, South Africa and Nigeria round out the top five countries streaming the playlist, adding an unexpected international twist to the City Express phenomenon.

Also Read: 3 Kenyan Podcasts Top in Africa on Spotify

The City Express playlist’s success story is not just about the music itself, but also the way it has managed to bridge the generational gap.

This trend not only highlights the changing preferences of music listeners but also underscores the importance of catering to the diverse tastes of the modern audience.

Do you want to be part of an updated community without the interruptions of unwanted messages? Click the link below and join our WhatsApp Channel!

https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaB3k54HltYFiQ1f2i2C