From the football pitches of EA Sports FC to the vibrant dance floors of Just Dance, Kenya’s music is reaching millions of players worldwide. In 2025, Kenyan artists are becoming part of major gaming franchises, turning games into new stages for African sound.
The crossover between Kenyan music and global video gaming has grown fast. Publishers like Electronic Arts (EA), Konami, and Ubisoft are tapping into the country’s talent, featuring tracks that blend African rhythm, storytelling, and modern production.
Sofiya Nzau: ‘Your Love’ in EA Sports FC 26
Murang’a-born Afro-house artist Sofiya Nzau is one of Kenya’s strongest global exports. After her breakout with Zerb on the viral hit Mwaki, which surpassed 300 million Spotify streams, Nzau’s momentum continues. Her 2024 single Your Love, featuring Kikuyu lyrics and remixed by Antdot and PLS&TY, is part of the EA Sports FC 26 soundtrack. The franchise sells over 20 million copies annually, giving Nzau’s music an unmatched audience across continents.
Matata: ‘Not Today’ in EA Sports FC 24
Matata, the four-man Kenyan group based in Norway, continues to push Afrobeat, hip-hop, and dancehall into the mainstream. Their track Not Today, featuring Liam Bailey, made it to the EA Sports FC 24 soundtrack. The inclusion marked a major milestone for the band and exposed their sound to more than 150 million global players.
KayCyy: ‘LOVE & HATE’ in EA Sports FC 24
KayCyy, born Mark Mbogo in Nairobi, is a Grammy-winning rapper and producer known for his work with Kanye West on Donda. His track LOVE & HATE also featured in EA Sports FC 24. The song’s reflective tone and fusion of hip-hop and R&B connected with global listeners, especially those in the African diaspora who play the game.
Elsy Wameyo: ‘River Nile’ in eFootball 2024
Elsy Wameyo, raised in Adelaide but born in Nairobi, channels her roots through gospel, rap, and African beats. Her song River Nile, from her Nilotic EP, was included in eFootball 2024 by Konami. The placement showcased her thought-provoking lyrics to a different gaming audience and reinforced her reputation as a bold, genre-blending artist.
Stella Mwangi: Kenyan Energy in Just Dance
Stella Mwangi, the Kenyan-Norwegian rapper and singer, has enjoyed a long relationship with Ubisoft’s Just Dance series. Her track Not Your Ordinary featured in Just Dance 2019, followed by Ma Itù in Just Dance 2020. With the franchise selling over 70 million copies, Mwangi’s work has soundtracked living room dance sessions around the world.
Kenya’s music industry is no longer confined to local airwaves or African playlists. The inclusion of artists like Sofiya Nzau, Matata, KayCyy, Elsy Wameyo, and Stella Mwangi in major video game soundtracks marks a new chapter for African representation in global entertainment. These placements give Kenyan musicians access to audiences that traditional platforms could never reach.
Video games like EA Sports FC, eFootball, and Just Dance attract hundreds of millions of players each year. When these players hear Kenyan vocals, lyrics, and rhythms, they are introduced to a distinct sound that blends African culture with global production quality. This exposure turns every gaming session into a discovery moment for Kenya’s creative industry.
The success of these artists reflects the growing demand for authentic, diverse music in global media. It also highlights how digital entertainment platforms are breaking barriers for African talent. Kenya’s music is now influencing pop culture beyond streaming charts, reaching living rooms, stadiums, and virtual arenas across the world.
As more game developers seek to diversify their soundtracks, Kenyan artists are poised to remain key contributors. Their work proves that the country’s musical identity can compete on a global stage while staying rooted in its culture. The world is not just playing the games anymore; it is dancing to Kenya’s beat.
