Sauti Sol, a Kenyan boy band has announced they’re taking a break from the Kenyan music landscape after their world tour kicks off on May 21.
Before joining Boys II Men in Nairobi on June 10 and 11, the band will perform in five cities in the United States, ten cities in Europe, and four cities in Canada. Afterwards, on December 16, 2023, they will perform their final performance at the third Sol Fest in Nairobi.
In the ensemble are Mudigi Savara, Bien Baraza, Willis Chimano, and Polycarp Otieno. During the tour, they vowed exciting performances in which they would perform the songs that made them renowned worldwide.
“While the indefinite hiatus marks the end of a specific chapter, it also represents a new beginning for Sauti Sol.
“As close friends and business partners, the band members are eager to explore fresh creative avenues and embark on personal endeavours. However, their friendship and shared vision will continue to drive their future projects,” read the statement.
Even though they already have five albums and more than 40 songs to their credit, the band has promised their admirers one final album that will honour their musical voyage.
Before Sauti Sol calls it quits, we compiled a list of their most fantastic tunes.
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Sura Yako
“Sura Yako (Your Face)” is the album’s (Live and Die in Afrika )opening track. This track was composed by Sauti Sol and Cedric “Cedo” Kadenyi. It features a clever guitar melody, a powerful rhythm, and the group’s vocal harmonies.
“Sura Yako” was released during a Lipala dance competition. This sparked a social media dance trend. In an incredible film, former President Obama can be seen swaying to the song at the Kenyan State House.
Nerea
“Nakuomba Nerea, usitoe mimba yangu we, Mungu akileta mtoto, analeta sahani yake Mlete nitamlea, usitoe mimba yangu we, Mungu akileta mtoto, analeta sahani yake” goes the hook.
This 2015 endeavour was a collaboration between Sauti Sol, Amos, and Josh, and it received roughly equal amounts of praise and criticism.
The song discussed abortion, a “taboo” subject in Kenya despite being readily available.
Nerea demonstrated that the group was more than just a collection of artists by conveying the story of abortion to the general public, particularly the youth.
Kuliko Jana
Sauti Sol returned to their former high school, Upper Hill in Nairobi to film the music video. “Kuliko Jana,” was a standout track from their album Live and Die in Afrika that is rapidly becoming a global phenomenon.
The gorgeous Capella composition features the Upper Hill school choir (Redfourth Chorus). The song is about the “steadfast love of the Lord,” as stated by the band.
Shake Yo Bam Bam
The Shake Yo Bam Bam movie was directed by the renowned Nigerian video producer Clarence Peters.
“Shake Yo Bam Bam sounds and looks like Kenyan music and fashion from the 1990s,” explains Sauti Sol. The lyrics of Sauti Sol’s songs demonstrate his appreciation for ghetto vibes and street-savvy youths who set trends and influence urban culture.
This is also demonstrated by the appearance and movement of the performers.
Unconditionally Bae
Sauti Sol and Alikiba collaborated on “Unconditionally Bae,” a dance floor smash about how difficult it is to discover love in the twenty-first century.
The connection to East Africa makes this song a musical treasure. The music video filmed at the English Point Marina on Kenyan Coast, has been viewed millions of times and counting.
Nishike
“Touch Me,” which is what “Nishike” signifies in Swahili, is a late-night song performed by Sauti Sol. There are wavy synth melodies and lovely vocals.
Enos Olik directed the music video for the song. The video depicts the members of the band courting their leading females shirtless. The video was so sexually explicit that it sparked outrage on social media. As a result, was prohibited from Kenyan television stations.
