African tunes from Kenya’s Sauti Sol

The Sauti Sol boys. They have earned themselves a place on the African music scene. Courtesy photo

Initially an acapella group, Kenyan afro-pop band Sauti Sol, were endeared to Ugandans by their song Sura Yako (your face) off their third album Live and Die in Africa, which is still under production. The remix, in which they feature Nigerian star Iyanya, is still doing well on the continent.
The 10-track album consists of songs such as Gentleman, Blue Uniform, Coming Home, Lazizi, Money Lover, Nishike, Still the One, Sura Yako, Nerea and Awinja. It is so far their most successful album for it has helped them win several continental and global awards, as well as getting nominations in different awards.

The group, arguably the best group from Kenya, is slated to perform at Kampala Serena Hotel on July 11, to unveil Tusker Lite’s new ultra-modern pack. Vocalists Bien-Aimé Baraza, Willis Chimano and Delvin Mudigi and guitarist Polycarp Otieno create such musical magic together.
Their first album was Mwanzo (2008) and second Filosofia (2012). However, it is the songs in Live and Die in Africa that have taken them places.
Before Sura yako, the band had released Nishike. The audio did not do well but it is the video that caused an uproar in the media due to its steamy content. It got banned from most Kenyan TV stations. The album’s first single, Money Lover, was released on January 1 2013.

“Do you love me baby, do you love my money?” Is the first question they ask on this track that was produced by R-Kay, one of the most sought after producers in Kenya. It is more of an assurance song, where they advise women to go into a relationship because of love, not money.
Just like Michael Bolton’s Miss You song, Sauti Sol also brought out their Kenyan version in Coming Home. It starts with the first artiste explaining how he has to go on a long journey to work and how he’s going to miss his madam but promises to come home. It is a song about trust and patience.

The song arrangement and ability to fuse the different styles like Afro-pop, world, soul, R&B was worth the long wait of three years for this album. This album, though not yet complete, was produced in two languages - English and Swahili to give it impact and diversity across Africa and the world over.
The all boy band group divided their roles on this album with Delvin and Polycarp getting more involved with production as Bien takes the lead role as the song writer in most songs. The album is all about celebrating life in Africa and is a detailed journey from where they began to where they are musically.

The Sura yako
Nominations. Sura yako (Your face) has helped them receive a double nomination at this year’s MTV Africa music Awards for best group and best song
Awards. It scooped the Best Song Award in East Africa in the Kilimanjaro Tanzania Music Awards, as well as getting a nod as the Best International Act Africa in the BET Awards.