Spotify and ONErpm Back East Africa's Rising Stars at Nairobi Fresh Finds Workshop

Nairobi recently played host to a landmark two-day workshop co-organised by music streaming giant Spotify and global music distribution company ONErpm, aimed at nurturing emerging talent from across East Africa. The initiative drew artists from Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, bringing the region's rising stars under one roof for intensive, industry-focused training.

Nine artists took part in the programme, among them We Are Nubia, Zaituni, and Hildah Watiri, working alongside seasoned producers and industry mentors throughout the two days. The gathering was structured to give participants hands-on exposure to the kind of professional environment that can accelerate careers from local recognition to international stages.

Central to the experience were creative masterclasses that pushed artists to collaborate directly with top-tier producers, sharpen their sound, and understand what global production standards actually look like in practice. Beyond the studio sessions, the workshop covered media training and the business fundamentals of sustaining a music career — including how to read and leverage platform analytics effectively.

Victor Okpala, who leads the Fresh Finds Africa programme for Spotify Sub-Saharan Africa, was candid about what the platform is seeking from the region. "Spotify is looking for artists who can tell African stories in an African voice that can then be helped towards a global audience," he said, underscoring that authenticity sits at the heart of what makes East African music competitive on the world stage.

Osagie Osarenkhoe of ONErpm echoed that view, pointing to a growing international curiosity about East African sounds. "East Africa is producing some of the most exciting music on the continent right now, and global audiences are starting to take notice," he noted — a remark that carries particular weight for Kenyan artists working to push their music beyond the region's borders.

Maxwell Nguku, Spotify's Editorial Lead for East Africa, used the platform to issue a firm caution to artists about predatory practices in the industry. Playlist placement on Spotify, he made clear, is decided purely on merit, and artists must understand that no legitimate entity should ever solicit payment in exchange for a spot on a playlist. Anyone making such an offer should be treated with suspicion.

For those who attended, the workshop offered far more than classroom knowledge — it opened doors to peer networks and direct access to industry professionals whose guidance could prove transformative on an international scale. As East Africa's music scene continues rising in stature, initiatives of this kind suggest that global platforms are increasingly ready to invest seriously in the extraordinary talent this region keeps producing.