Spotify has launched messages in Kenya to allow users share audio in-app chat as simple as a text message allowing users to swap songs and podcasts with the people they share interests with.
Spotify Messages is rolling out this week to Free and Premium listeners, allowing Kenyans who already share Spotify content millions of times each month to share with their loved ones.
According to Phiona Okumu, Head of Music Sub-Saharan Africa, “In Kenya, recommendations are social currency. Messages brings that local energy into Spotify so the right track, pod, or chapter gets to the right person faster.”
How it works is simple. From Now Playing, tap Share, choose a friend you’ve interacted with on Spotify, and send. Messages are one-to-one conversations where you can react with emojis and add text, keeping the chat where listening happens. Find Messages by tapping your profile photo in the top left corner. Spotify will suggest people to message based on who you’ve previously shared with, joined Jams or Blends with, built collaborative playlists with, or who’s on your Family or Duo plan.
For artists and podcasters easier sharing means more discovery. A single recommendation can spark a new fan, a packed show, or a book club pick—word of mouth at digital speed. Messages complement how you already share. Keep posting to WhatsApp, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and Facebook; Spotify just makes those everyday recommendations smoother inside the app.
You’re always in control and can accept or ignore message requests, block users, report content, or opt out entirely in Settings. This is just the beginning. We’ll continue expanding Messages and refining the experience for more listeners across the region in the months ahead. Press assets and interview opportunities with our local team are available on request, including screenshots, a short demo video, and data on sharing behavior in both markets.
