Report: Kenyan Gen Zs love streaming Christiana Shusho
By Sinda MatikoTanzanian gospel singer Christian Shusho is the most streamed Gen Z gospel artist in Kenya.
Shusho has become a darling of Kenyan audiences who saw her trending on X (formerly Twitter) for several days in November last year after she created a buzz online for her clever use of Bible verses in her lyrics.
Seizing the opportunity, the chanteuse announced that she would be holding a concert in Nairobi on 31 December 2023, which sold out.
Her dominance in the Kenyan market continues to be backed by data, with a recent report from Spotify, seen by Nairobi News, indicating a surge in listenership of her songs, especially among Kenya’s Gen Z.
According to the data, gospel music streams on Spotify have increased in the country thanks to Gen Z.
Apart from Shusho, Maverick City Music, Elevation Worship, Hillsong Worship and Chandler Moore are the other most streamed gospel acts in Kenya by Gen Z.
This Year (Blessings) by Ehis D Greatest featuring Victor Thompson is currently the most popular gospel collaboration among Kenyan Gen Z.
Other popular collaborations from this clique include Jireh (Provider) by Happi, Lecrae and Limoblaze, Jireh by Chandler Moore, Elevation Worship, Maverick City Music and Naomi Raine.
What a Beautiful Name by Brooke Ligertwood and Hillsong Worship is another favourite, as is Promises by Joel Barnes, Maverick City Music and Naomi Raine.
From 2022 to 2024, there has been a 365 per cent increase in gospel music streams on the Swedish platform among Kenyan Gen Zs.
Christian podcast streams are also gaining traction among Kenyan Gen Zs, with the data showing a growth of 69 per cent between 2022 and 2024 on the platform.
Gospel streams continue to grow in popularity in the country.
In 2022, music streaming platform Mdundo indicated in its annual report that in terms of music consumption on the platform, gospel music leads in Kenya and the entire African market with 11 per cent of total streams, followed by Naija music at nine per cent.
Most people resonate with religion, it’s the biggest driver of music on our service not only in Kenya but across all markets,” said Mdundo CEO Martin Nelsen at the time.
On Mdundo’s current top ten charts, Tanzanian Christian Shusho is currently the most streamed gospel artist in Kenya, alongside Kenya’s Mercy Masika and Everline Wanjiru.