Love can be sweet until it’s not. One moment it’s “Meet my person” and the next it’s “How did I end up with you?”
For Kenyan men, the heartbreak seems to be hitting harder. Whether it’s ghosting, unreciprocated love, or just bad luck in the dating game, one thing is clear – the boy child is feeling it.
This month of love, Spotify has shared interesting data showing that Kenyan male listeners are streaming heartbreak songs more at 107%, compared to ladies at 105%.
You broke me first
With ‘You Broke Me First’ by Tate McRae topping Spotify charts as the ultimate heartbreak anthem in 2024, it looks like Kenyans were keeping score. Originally released in 2020, the track became a global heartbreak anthem, striking a chord with listeners navigating love and loss.The track also holds the record as the longest-chart-topping song by a female artist in 2020 on the Billboard Hot 100, spending an impressive 38 weeks at number 17. Its enduring success proves that everyone sings heartbreak.
Even though everyone experiences love and loss in their own way, a 189% increase in heartbreak tracks streamed by Kenyans in the last three years says something about where they find comfort when love takes an unexpected turn.
Male artists carrying Kenyans through heartache
Tracks by male artists in the top 10 most streamed heartbreak songs by Kenyans include ‘Someone You Loved’ by Lewis Capaldi, ‘Say You Won’t Let Go’ by James Arthur, ‘Let Me Down Slowly’ by Alec Benjamin, and ‘In The Stars’ by Benson Boone.
It would, therefore, appear men are the go-to artists for Kenyan listeners going through heartbreak.
Billie Eilish, who is holding it down for the emo girls, has made three appearances on the top 10 list at numbers 3, 7, and 10. These tearjerker tracks are ‘Lovely’ by Billie Eilish and ‘Khalid’, ‘What Was I Made For’ from The motion picture Barbie, and ‘When the Party is Over’.
When did things change?
What’s interesting is how quickly things have shifted. Just a year ago, romance was still in full bloom, with Qing Madi’s ‘American Love’ reigning as Kenya’s top Valentine’s song in 2024. Now, love songs have taken a backseat as heartbreak anthems dominate playlists.
Whether it’s the weight of an unsent “good morning babe” text, the sudden realisation that love isn’t what it used to be, or just the morning blues hitting extra hard, one thing is clear: 11am is heartbreak o’clock in Kenya. Could this be because the morning alarm stings more than the breakup or that breakfast tastes better when someone else makes it? Either way, as the world wakes up, so do the emotions of Kenyans.
Whether love is sweet or serving premium tears, experience Spotify Africa’s Valentine’s Day 2025 with all the feels by diving into the End In Tears playlist for the ultimate heartbreak songs, or set the mood going with 100 Best African Love Songs.
