Sauti Sol’s ‘Midnight Train’ Still Reigns Five Years Later with Over 36 Million Spotify Streams
When Sauti Sol dropped ‘Midnight Train’ back in June 2020, it was more than just another album release for the band; it was a significant moment in East African music history. Fast forward five years, and the album has racked up over 36 million streams on Spotify, solidifying its place as one of the most popular Kenyan albums on the platform.
Released through Universal Music Group Africa, ‘Midnight Train’ was crafted in studios across Nairobi, Johannesburg, and Los Angeles. This 13-track gem beautifully fuses Afropop, soul, and R&B, featuring impressive collaborations with artists like India Arie, Sho Madjozi, Black Motion, and the Soweto Gospel Choir.
Sung in a mix of English, Swahili, and Luhya, the album dives into themes of vulnerability, masculinity, and brotherhood. Its sound and message continue to strike a chord not just in Africa, but around the world.
Fan tracks that took off
Tracks like ‘Suzanna,’ ‘Feel My Love,’ ‘Insecure,’ ‘My Everything’ (featuring India Arie), and ‘Midnight Train’ have truly emerged as the standout hits from this project. Not only are they the most streamed songs on the album, but they’ve also made waves far beyond Kenya. Collectively, they’ve found their way into over 382,000 user-generated playlists across the globe, becoming an integral part of the worldwide music scene.
Spotify’s data reveals that the album has been steadily gaining traction year after year. It hit its peak in 2024, racking up over 11 million streams. Starting from just over 3 million streams in 2020, it added another 4 million in just the first half of 2025. ‘Midnight Train’ is clearly still picking up steam, even five years after its debut!
The heartbeat of the album
Kenya is still the top market for the album, with the United States, United Kingdom, Tanzania, Canada, and Nigeria following closely behind.
The leading African cities fueling these streams are Nairobi, Kampala, Dar es Salaam, Lagos, Lusaka, and Abuja. What began in Nairobi has blossomed into a continent-wide celebration of the sound, message, and spirit of Midnight Train.
Who’s pressing play
On a global scale, the album’s audience leans a bit more towards men, with 54 percent of streams coming from guys and 45 percent from women.
In Kenya, the figures are strikingly similar, which might catch some off guard considering the band’s strong ties to a visibly female millennial fanbase.
The album really resonates with Gen Z. In Kenya, a whopping 63 percent of listeners are between 18 and 24 years old, while another 19 percent are in the 25 to 29 age bracket. This clearly shows that the music is still hitting home with a young, tech-savvy crowd.
The 2023 hiatus that hit home
When the band announced their break on May 20, 2023, global streams shot up by 18 percent. In Kenya, that number jumped even higher to 21 percent.
However, it was during Sol Fest, their now-annual reunion concert, that ‘Midnight Train’ really took off, reaching one of its highest streaming peaks. From November 4 to 6, 2023, global streams skyrocketed by 77 percent, and in Kenya, they more than doubled.
While the announcement may have surprised fans, the emotional wave hit again during the December 2024 reunion. Streams surged once more, proving that the music kept on flowing, even when the band decided to take a step back.
Solidifying a place among Kenyan greats
‘Midnight Train’ has made quite an impact, ranking as the fourth most-streamed album in Kenya on Spotify over the last five years, right behind big names like Bien, Burna Boy, and SZA. That’s a pretty impressive feat! This album has not only influenced how people listen to music but has also become a part of their memories, marking a significant moment in time.
As the members of Sauti Sol embark on their individual paths, ‘Midnight Train’ continues to resonate. It’s still alive in playlists, during reunion shows, and among a fresh wave of fans who are just now discovering it. While the band may be taking a break, the music is still very much alive and kicking.
Sauti Sol’s ‘Midnight Train’ Still Reigns Five Years Later with Over 36 Million Spotify Streams
