How do you sum up a year of music from East Africa?
It takes hours of listening with fresh ears and an eye on both the numbers and the energy on the ground. One thing’s clear: East Africa’s music scene has never felt more exciting or more varied. From global superstars exploring new directions to rising local voices carving out distinct lanes, 2025 gave us plenty to dance to and talk about.
This list isn’t just about the biggest hits or viral moments, though you’ll find a few of those. It’s about the songs that stayed with us, surprised us, or showed artists reaching for something new. I wanted to spotlight the artists who took risks, told new stories, or gave their genres a fresh twist. Whether they were repping Burundi’s bold new wave, redefining what bongo flava can sound like, or putting Rwanda’s soulful side front and center, these songs made 2025 feel like a year of possibility.
This is a celebration of what East African music was this year: popular, yes, but also unpredictable, and genre-bending. Here they are (in no particular order):
Joshua Baraka – "Wrong Places" (Uganda)
Joshua Baraka’s star power was undeniable the moment he took the stage at Blankets and Wine Nairobi earlier this year — right after Tems, no less — and held the crowd with ease. That performance confirmed what many of us already felt: Baraka is not just a rising name in Uganda, he’s a continental star in the making. In November 2025, he dropped his long-awaited EP Juvie, but it was “Wrong Places” that really set the tone for his year.
Abigail Chams – "Me Too" feat. Harmonize (Tanzania)
When OkayAfrica interviewed Abigail Chams earlier this year, just as “Me Too” was rising up the charts, we knew she was going to be major. And she’s done nothing but prove that right. The flirty love song with Harmonize became a regional smash, racking up over 21 million views on YouTube and helping secure Chams a historic BET Awards nomination.
Kirikou Akili - “AHA NIHE?” (Burundi)
Song of the year for me? It just might be this one! “Aha Nihe” is the breakout anthem from young Burundian artist Kirikou Akili, and it’s impossible to ignore. Catchy, defiant, and aimed squarely at his haters, the track is a bold statement from a star who made his one release of the year really count. Akili’s story is as powerful as his sound. Once a street child, he got his first shot in music thanks to a local artist who believed in him. Today, he’s Burundi’s number one artist, and “Aha Nihe” is his biggest hit to date. I know I shouldn’t have favorites, but this one is hard to beat. I hope the rest of Africa picks up on it.
Matata – “Mpishi” feat. Bien (Kenya)
If there was one song that captured the spirit of Kenyan pop in 2025, it was “Mpishi.” Matata’s return after a year-long break was a big moment, and teaming up with Bien made it even better. The track–now the centerpiece of their Mpishi EP released in October–mixed playful energy with showmanship. They opened for Bien on tour in Europe. I interviewed the group earlier in the year and was struck by their “Think local, act global” philosophy. It was a breath of fresh air in a time when many artists are looking outward more than inward.
Emmanuel Jal x Bun Xapa– Chaak (South Sudan)
Afro-house isn’t usually my go-to, but there’s something about “Chaak” that completely pulls me in. A collaboration between South Sudanese artist Emmanuel Jal and South African producer Bun Xapa, the track is hypnotic and full of intention. “Chaak” means “milk” in Jal's mother tongue, and the song imagines a future where people can “bathe in milk.” It is a phrase symbolizing abundance not just in wealth, but also in health and spirit. That’s a message, and a sound, I can definitely get behind.
Mereba – “Heart of a Child” (Ethiopia/USA)
“Heart of a Child” is a soulful, introspective standout from Mereba’s second studio album, The Breeze Grew a Fire. The song feels like a quiet revelation as she traces her journey back to herself through sound and storytelling. I was disappointed that I didn’t get to experience her live. As part of her tour, she performed in South Africa in October. It was soul-healing to see how warmly the South African crowd embraced her. I hope she tours the album in other parts of the continent soon.
Marioo – "Nairobi" feat. Bien (Kenya/Tanzania)
Marioo's "Nairobi," featuring Kenya's Bien, has emerged as a standout anthem of 2025, amassing over 44 million views and igniting a wave of cross-cultural love across East Africa. With smooth Swahili lyrics, the song is a romantic ode to the women of Kenya's capital. Its viral success — fuelled by TikTok dance clips and lifestyle reels set to its chorus — has made it more than just a cultural moment. The song also marks a high point in a remarkable year for Marioo, who had another chart-topper with "Tete."
E.T. Ndahigwa – “Habibi” feat. Bruce The 1st (Rwanda)
While digging for under-the-radar gems, I came across “Habibi” by Rwandan rapper E.T. Ndahigwa featuring Bruce The 1st. With fewer than 1,000 views on YouTube, it’s easy to miss… but there’s something here. The track comes off Mbwira, Ndahigwa’s six-track EP released this year, and it continues the moody, genre-blending style that’s becoming his signature. Ndahigwa first gained national attention with his 2021 feature on DJ Pyfo’s “Kantona,” and he’s been carving out his own lane in Kigali’s scene ever since.
Bien – “Safari” feat. Suldaan Seeraar (Kenya/Somalia)
Bien spent a good part of 2025 on tour, and that alone marked a major milestone for his solo career. His successful run across Europe and the U.S. showed that he’s not just a national favorite but a rising global act. While “All My Enemies Are Suffering” may have been the bigger hit of his 2025 releases, it’s “Safari” that stood out to me. Teaming up with Somali superstar Suldaan Seeraar, the song is a rare and powerful cross-border collaboration that connects the musical landscapes of Kenya and Somalia.
Ciara x Diamond Platnumz - “Low” (USA/Tanzania)
Can we really have an East Africa list without Diamond Platnumz? He was relatively quiet during the first half of the year, but came back strong with a string of features and hits, including “Nani” and “Katam” with Bien. The bongo flava star matches Ciara’s smooth vocals and sharp choreography in “Low”, holding his own both sonically and on the dance floor. While the song may not have been his biggest release of the year, it’s the standout hit from Ciara’s album and another example of his continued success in crossover collaborations.
Element Eleéeh – “Tombé” (Rwanda)
Element Eleéeh continues to be a driving force in Rwandan music, not just behind the boards but on the mic too. With “Tombé,” he delivers a smooth, genre-blending hit that fuses genres into a love song that’s both addictive and expertly crafted.
Toxic Lyrikali – "Back Bencher" (Kenya)
“Back Bencher” is the biggest song of Toxic Lyrikali’s career so far and a defining moment in a year that saw the Nairobi rapper rise fast. The track builds on his signature blend of dancehall, drill, and street poetry, with raw bars about S-Class dreams, convoys, and survival. When OkayAfrica interviewed him earlier this year, he came across as an artist fully stepping into his moment, navigating newfound attention while staying rooted in the world that fuels his music. His decision to speak openly about street life has sparked criticism for glorifying it, but it is also what makes his music resonate with a generation that sees themselves in his lyrics.
Itaré – “Where You Want” feat. Joh Makini & Kane Keid (Tanzania)
Itaré was a late find for me this year. The Tanzanian singer and rapper brings a refreshing sound that stands apart from the usual churn. That’s likely why he has been selected as Apple Music’s “Up Next” East Africa artist. “Where You Want,” featuring South Africa’s Kane Keid and Tanzanian Joh Makini, is a standout from his self-titled debut EP, blending bongo flava, Afrobeats, R&B, and bongopiano with emotional depth and slick production.
Kaya Byinshii – “The Life of Champions” (Rwanda)
I first discovered Kaya Byinshii while watching her soulful covers of Angie Stone and Nina Simone. That led me straight to “The Life of Champions,” a strikingly original track that blends blues, folk, and her haunting voice. In a music landscape often overwhelmed by formulaic beats, this song feels like a breath of fresh air. It’s textured, emotive, and completely its own thing. If it pulls you in the way it did me, make sure to check out her 2022 debut album Ukwiyuburura.
SIJI. – “Komsa” (Burundi)
Burundian artist SIJI. brings smooth, slow-burning energy to the dance floor with “Komsa,” a sensual track that blends romance, rhythm, and an unexpected twist. Though it sounds like a sultry club hit, “Komsa” is actually a gospel song. The track has become a favorite in clubs, with audiences embracing its sound regardless of its spiritual message. It’s proof that when the music hits, people feel it first.
Sheebah – “Wesibadde” (Uganda)
Ugandan pop queen Sheebah made fewer moves than usual in 2025, but “Wesibadde” reminded us exactly why she holds her crown. Smooth and sultry with just the right dose of attitude, the track stands out as her most emotionally resonant release this year. While “Somebody” brought the Kampala swagger and TikTok traction, it’s “Wesibadde” that stays with you.
