Kenyan singer and songwriter Bien-Aimé Baraza has explained his decision to pursue a solo career while maintaining a strong relationship with his Sauti Sol bandmates.
In a recent interview, Bien shed light on the factors that prompted the group’s shift after more than two decades together.
Bien explained that Sauti Sol’s long journey, which began in 2002, played a significant role in the change.
“I was in Sauti Sol for long, 22 years. We started in 2002. And by the time when we were taking a break, it’d been a long time. I felt like some of that was the system, but I wasn’t feeling personal growth, and I felt like, you know what, it is time to try something different.”
He noted that the feeling was shared across the group. “Funny enough, everyone was feeling that. It had started becoming work for us,” he added. The COVID-19 pandemic also contributed to the group reassessing its direction by slowing their creative momentum.
To navigate the emotional and professional transition, Sauti Sol sought professional help. The group underwent counselling to help them process their evolving needs and careers.
Bien described the experience as one that deepened his appreciation for both the group dynamic and his solo journey. He acknowledged the unique strengths his bandmates bring to their collective work.
Bien admits to missing the synergy and ‘stupidity’ his bandmates brought to the table.
He also stressed the importance of leaving room for unpredictability in his future plans, noting that well-laid plans often result in unexpected outcomes that are far greater than anticipated.
Reflecting on his career, Bien identified several songs that hold the strongest personal meaning, marking key phases of Sauti Sol’s growth and his solo identity.
Bien described “Lazizi” as one of the most defining songs in Sauti Sol’s early years. It established their initial acoustic identity in the Kenyan mainstream, and “Kuliko Jana,” which he highlighted as the track that took them to the world stage,” crediting it with attracting significant international attention and broadening their audience beyond East Africa.
Bien’s individual career has seen rapid success, opening vast new opportunities for collaboration and exposure.
His current solo track, which includes the lyric “all my enemies are suffering,” has significantly increased his solo visibility. He noted the effect of social media, recalling a moment when actor Lupita Nyong’o posted the song, which led to a spike in engagement from global audiences.
His solo catalogue also features high-profile collaborations like, “My Baby” featuring Ayra Starr, A major highlight that expanded his presence across the African continent, “Wahala” with Adekunle Gold, “Ma Cherie (Remix)” featuring Fally Ipupa and “Dimension” with Lojay.
These diverse projects showcase the creative breadth he is pursuing in his individual career.
