Sauti Sol is a Kenyan afro pop band - Bien-Aime Baraza (vocals & guitar), Polycarp Otieno (guitar), Willis Austin Chimano (vocals & saxophone), Delvin Mudigi (vocals, percussion & drums). The group to become one of East Africa’s most celebrated. Sauti Sol encompass the band’s mix of soulful voices with vocal harmonies, guitar riffs and drum rhythm.
With two extremely successful albums in three years, this band reflects a range of musical wealth inspired by African artists including Lokua Kanza, Fadhili Williams, Daudi Kabaka, Fally Ipupa and Salif Keita to British and American artists: Coldplay and Jason Mraz.
Sauti Sol’s two albums, Mwanzo (2008) and Sol Filosofia (2011), have received high acclaim on Kenyan charts and gained international attention with shows in Europe and the US, as well as television appearances, various nominations, including their 2011 celebrated concert performance in Kenya with Ladysmith Black Mambazo (Internationally renowned South African a cappella group).
In June 2012, Sauti Sol released Sauti Sol, a self-titled EP and collaborative effort with South African avant-garde innovative rapper/producer Spoek Mathambo. The band is currently in the final stages of producing their anticipated third album, Live and Die in Africa, set for release in 2014. Their Recognition Sauti Sol has steadily built their professional international experience. A tour through Europe in 2010 took them to Sweden where they made a television appearance and recorded their sophomore album, Sol Filosofia.
In February 2012 they debuted at the Festival sur le Niger in Mali where they were performed alongside some of their African idols: Habib Koite, Salif Keita and Lokua Kanza.
In March 2011, the band made their first American appearance at the South by Southwest Music Festival (SXSW) in Austin, Texas. In 2012, they made a return to SXSW. Celebrated by a host of fans, fellow artists and bloggers as the “most entertaining” and “best dressed act” at the festival, Sauti Sol plans to return to their growing fan base in America and the diaspora. In June they performed at the Kalorvy Vary International film festival and Colours of Ostrava 2012, Czech Republic’s biggest music festival.
Between Sept-Dec 2012, Sauti Sol signed with Kenya’s Niko Na Safaricom Live Tour transporting their renowned electric live performances to their fans in major towns. Sauti Sol has also performed at widely televised events including: the MTV Africa Music Awards (2014), inauguration of Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta (2013), the inaugural Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards held in Nigeria (2013) and at the Big Brother Africa Reality Show in South Africa (2012). In 2013, they also headlined at Boombaataa Festival (Kenya) and City of Stars festival (Malawi).
In 2014, they performed at Blankets & Wine at 50 Festival (Kenya), Zanzibar International Film Festival and in Netherland’s Eindhoven (June 2014). Awards Sauti Sol’s music video, “Nishike” has been nominated as East Africa’s Most Gifted Music Video at the 2014 Channel O Music video Awards (CHOMVA14). In 2013 Sauti Sol received two nods at CHOMVA (Most Gifted Afro Pop Video and Most Gifted East Africa Video) with the hit single, “Money Lover”. In 2012, they won East Africa’s Most Gifted Music Video at CHOMVA with their song “Shukuru” with Tanzanian rapper AY.
Sauti Sol has also been nominated as Africa’s Best Group at the 2014 MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMAs) and African Muzik Magazine Awards (AFRIMMA). Crowned as Artist of the Year at Kenya’s inaugural Social Media Awards (SOMA 2013), the band has been nominated at SOMA 2014 for Best Use of Social Media in Entertainment. In 2012 the band also won Best Collaboration at Kenyan Chaguo La Teeniez (CHAT) Awards after bagging the Best Group Award in 2011.
In 2011, they also won two Kisima Music Awards for Best Afro-Fusion Group and Best Music Video with “Coming Home”. In 2010 they received a Museke Online Africa Music Award (MOAMA) for Best Group and a nomination for Best African Newcomer at the 2010 African Music Awards (AMA).
