Love can be sweet until it’s not. One moment it’s “my person forever” and the next it’s “who sent me here?”. For Kenyan men, the heartbreak seems to be hitting harder than ever. Whether it’s ghosting, unreciprocated love or just bad luck in the dating game, one thing is clear; the boychild is feeling it. Spotify shared interesting data showing that 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 Kenyan’s 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, overall says something about where they find comfort when love takes an unexpected turn.
It’s the men who carry Kenyans through the heartache
Male artists’ tracks in the top 10 most streamed heartbreak songs 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. Men therefore form a large part of the comforting music Kenyan listeners turn to, to get through the heartbreak.
Billie Eilish holding it down for the emo girls has made three appearances on the top 10 list at number 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 unsent “good morning babe” texts, the sudden realisation that love isn’t what it used to be, or just the morning blues hitting extra hard, one thing is clear: 11 AM is heartbreak o’clock in Kenya. Could this be that 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.
Experience Valentine’s 2025 with all the feels, whether love is sweet or serving premium tears. Dive into Spotify Africa’s End In Tears for the ultimate heartbreak songs or set the mood with 100 Best African Love Songs.
