Heartbreak is no longer just a women’s affair in Kenya. Data released by global streaming giant Spotify on Friday, February 14, indicates that Kenyan men are turning to music for comfort after love gone wrong, with a notable increase in heartbreak song streams.
Love stories can take unexpected turns—one moment, it’s “the one,” and the next, it’s a painful goodbye. For Kenyan men, these emotional rollercoasters seem to be hitting hard. Whether it’s ghosting, unrequited love, or failed relationships, they are increasingly finding solace in music.
Spotify’s latest statistics reveal that Kenyan male listeners are streaming heartbreak songs at a higher rate of one hundred and seven percent, compared to one hundred and five percent for women.
A standout track among Kenyan listeners navigating heartbreak is You Broke Me First by Tate McRae. Originally released in 2020, the song has maintained its status as a global heartbreak anthem, resonating with those grappling with love and loss. It holds the record for the longest-charting song by a female artist on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2020, spending thirty-eight weeks at number seventeen.
Spotify, in its statement, highlighted the emotional refuge music provides, revealing that heartbreak song streams in Kenya have surged by one hundred and eighty-nine percent over the past three years.
Several male artists dominate the top ten heartbreak songs streamed by Kenyans. These 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.
Despite male artists leading the charts, Billie Eilish has made a strong presence with three songs ranking in the top ten. Her emotionally charged tracks—Lovely featuring Khalid, What Was I Made For? from The Motion Picture Barbie, and When the Party’s Over—are among the most streamed heartbreak songs.
Shift in Musical Tastes
Interestingly, just a year ago, love songs were still reigning supreme. In 2024, American Love by Qing Madi was Kenya’s top Valentine’s song. However, in 2025, heartbreak anthems have taken center stage, replacing romantic ballads on popular playlists.
Spotify also noted a peculiar trend—heartbreak song streams peak at eleven in the morning. The platform humorously suggested that this could be due to the sting of morning alarms or the absence of a “good morning” text.
Whether in love or nursing heartache, Kenyans can tune into Spotify’s End In Tears playlist for the ultimate heartbreak collection or embrace the romance with 100 Best African Love Songs this Valentine’s season.
