Kenya’s music scene is booming, and women are taking center stage on the world stage. Here are four artists putting Kenya on the global map.
Sofiya Nzau
Sofiya Nzau is the most-streamed Kenyan artist on Spotify and isbreaking ground in electronic music.
Her song Your Love made the EA SPORTS FC 26 soundtrack.
In 2025 she became the first Kenyan to play Tomorrowland, one of the world’s biggest EDM festivals. Tomorrowland and similar festivals have hosted legends like David Guetta, Tiësto, Armin van Buuren, Martin Garrix, and Steve Aoki, the same global stages where Sofiya now performs.
She also played Germany’s Open Beatz Festival to crowds of over 15,000 and has a hit collaboration with German producer Avaion that has millions of streams. Sofiya is fast becoming a major African voice in EDM.
Njerae
Njerae (Njeri Mwengi) blends Afro-indie, R&B and soul. She won Best New Artist at the 2025 Pulse Music Video Awards and is known for raw, emotional songs like Pepo and Silika.
Njerae has performed in Nairobi and also during the Blankets & Wine UK edition. She has built an international following with her honest songwriting and strong live shows.
Femi One
Femi One is a leading voice in Kenyan hip-hop. She uses bold lyrics and sharp performance to push for social change. In 2025 she was chosen to represent East Africa at the Afro Futuristic Convention in Hamburg, an event that partners with Europe’s Reeperbahn Festival.
Femi One mixes streetwise rap with activism and is helping open doors for other female rappers abroad.
Onejiru
Onejiru Arfmann is a Kenyan-German artist, activist and organiser. She founded the Afro Futuristic Convention, which brings African creatives to Europe and links them with festivals and industry leaders.
Based between Nairobi and Hamburg, Onejiru uses music and events to promote cultural justice and female leadership. Her work helps Kenyan women artists reach new international networks and stages
From Sofiya’s EDM mainstages to Njerae’s London shows, and from Femi One’s powerful rap to Onejiru’s activist platforms, these four women are icons flying the Kenyan flag high and reshaping how the world hears Kenya.
By Vivian K.