East African Hits Shaping 2025
East Africa’s music scene is thriving in 2025, driven by artists who are bringing fresh sounds, new ideas, and impressive artistry to the regional and global stage. The first half of the year has already delivered an exciting range of hits, showing just how diverse and innovative the region’s musical landscape has become. From bongo flava infused with pop and R&B, to Afro-house sung in indigenous languages, and collaborations that bridge continents, the creativity on display is remarkable. Digital platforms like Spotify and TikTok have played a huge role in amplifying this wave, helping local hits find audiences far beyond national borders. Here’s a look at four standout tracks from the first half of 2025 that are making a significant impact.
ME TOO BY ABIGAIL CHAMS AND HARMONIZE(TANZANIA)
Few East African artists have seized 2025’s spotlight as brightly as Abigail Chams. With Me Too, the Tanzanian songstress proves that she’s a rising star and a force poised for pan-African acclaim. Even before Harmonize’s verse begins, the song’s production radiates warmth and euphoria, built on smooth bongo flava rhythms, gentle synths, and strings. It perfectly helps sell the story of two people realizing how deeply in love they are and how safe they feel together. Abigail’s voice is very sultry and sensual and full of the naivete that accompanies young love, while Harmonize’s provides a convincing male perspective in the context. The chorus is the real star, instantly memorable and perfect for radio. It’s no wonder Me Too shot to #1 on Tanzania’s Apple Music charts and racked up millions of views online. The success of the song also helped earn Abigail a BET nomination for Best New International Act this year, cementing her status as one of East Africa’s most promising young talents.
DND BY WE ARE NUBIA AND ZAITUNI(KENYA)
DND is the latest release from We Are Nubia and Zaituni, and it’s quickly proving to be one of East Africa’s most exciting tracks of 2025. Barely a month old, the song is already on the cusp of hitting a million views on TikTok, featured in over 50,000 posts, proof of its infectious appeal. The track that pulses with sensuality, elevated by impressive vocals, thoughtful and clever songwriting and top-tier production. The chemistry between We Are Nubia and Zaituni is undeniable, making this song a masterclass in creative synergy and in the power of collaborations that genuinely make sense. Zaituni’s verse is a standout moment, infusing the track with her unique urban taarab sensibilities. Meanwhile, the chorus, shared between We Are Nubia and Zaituni, is catchy and easy to remember, the kind of hook that lodges itself in your head and refuses to leave. DND shows how a well-crafted, collaborative song can resonate far beyond the studio, creating moments that listeners want to replay and share.
WRONG PLACES BY JOSHUA BARAKA(UGANDA)
If there’s one thing Joshua Baraka has proven time and again, it’s his knack for crafting a hit. On the surface, “Wrong Places” is a song about disillusionment with the tiring cycle of searching for love where it can’t be found in a healthy form. Despite the somber theme, the track pulses with life. Baraka fuses afrobeat production with his smooth, R&B-infused vocals and the result is a vibey yet soulful song. One of the song’s most engaging elements is its call-and-response chorus, which adds an infectious energy and makes it easy for listeners to sing along. It’s a subtle but brilliant touch that shows Baraka’s keen understanding of how to make music that connects. It really is no surprise that Wrong Places has ignited a creative wave on TikTok, with the #WrongPlacesChallenge resulting in over 200,000 videos of people dancing and adding their own unique spin to the song.
WACUKA BY AVAION AND SOFIYA NZAU(KENYA)
Kenyan singer Sofiya Nzau is on a roll, and her latest single Wacuka, with German producer AVAION, is proof that she’s operating in a league of her own. Sofiya has carved out a truly unique lane in Afro-house by singing in Kikuyu, a choice that gives her music a striking identity and a fresh, authentic edge. On Wacuka, her vocals are nothing short of captivating and AVAION’s production is equally impressive. The beat is lush and hypnotic, built on pulsing basslines, shimmering synths, and crisp percussion that’s tailor-made for dance floors. But there’s also subtlety in the arrangement, allowing Sofiya’s voice to breathe and shine rather than getting lost in the mix. There’s something profoundly cool about hearing a Kenyan name like Wacuka floating over beats that could fill clubs anywhere from Nairobi to Berlin. That blend of the local and the global is likely part of why the song has racked up a staggering 57 million streams on Spotify so far.
TOMBÉ – ELEMENT ELEÉEH (RWANDA)
Rwandan artist and producer Element Eleéeh keeps proving why he’s one of the region’s brightest talents with his new single, Tombé. Released in May 2025, the song blends kompa and Afrobeats into a lively, feel-good groove that’s both modern and unmistakably East African. It’s catchy without feeling forced and has an ease that makes it perfect for both dance floors and casual listening. Lyrically, Tombé is about falling in love, delivered by Element with a relaxed, confident vocal style. It’s the kind of track that doesn’t try too hard but still sticks in your head long after it ends. The song is already making an impact, racking up over 5 million views on YouTube and gaining traction on TikTok.
