The Kenyan Boy Band Sauti Sol: Biography and 12 Things You Didn’t Know

Sauti Sol is a Kenyan boy band. This article provides information about their biography, age, music, net worth, songs, TV shows, their manager, albums, and news about the television series Sol Family.

KAMPALA | LIFESTYLE UGANDA — In this article, you will read about Kenyan boy band Sauti Sol and learn about their biography, age, music, net worth, songs, manager, news, TV shows and albums, along with info on the Sol Family television series.

#1. Who is Sauti Sol?

Sauti Sol is a Kenyan afro-pop band formed in Nairobi, Kenya in 2005. The band consists of vocalists Bien-Aimé Baraza, Willis Chimano, Savara Mudigi and guitarist Polycarp Otieno.

In Kenya and throughout Africa, Sauti Sol is one of the most recognized and celebrated musical bands.

Sauti Sol literally translates to “Voices of light.” Sauti is Swahili for voice, and Sol is Spanish for the sun.

#2. William Nanjero is the general manager of Sauti Sol

As General Manager for Sol Generation, the record company owned by Kenya’s favourite boy band, Sauti Sol, William Nanjero oversees all projects.

Sauti Sol’s manager has been Marek Fuchs since they rose to fame, he is the husband of the stylist Annabel Onyango and is originally from the Czech Republic.

His work with Sauti Sol began in 2012, and he has spearheaded the growth of the group into one of the biggest, most awarded and most internationally recognized music groups in Africa.

As Marek told The Star Newspaper in a previous interview, he met Sauti Sol at festivals, where they encountered each other and grew close.

During a conversation with Word Is yesterday, Bien of Sauti Sol said they have a new management team.

Marek was dropped by Sauti Sol after they signed a new record deal with an international talent agency company, the Africa Creative Agency, in 2019.

He explained that there are new rules that came with our new record deal, which is why Marek is no longer our manager.

“After we signed a new record deal, there were new rules, so Marek is no longer our manager,” he said.

“After we signed a new record deal, it came with new rules, which is why Marek is currently not our manager,” he said.

However, the band noted to Capital FM’s The Sauce that they would continue to work with Marek in some form. Marek has just established Africacentric Entertainment, a branding and entertainment firm.

#3. How did the band get its start?

Founded in Nairobi, Kenya, in late 2005 by vocalists Bien-Aimé Baraza, Willis Chimano, Savara Mudigi, followed by guitarist Polycarp Otieno, Sauti Sol performs afro-pop.

Baraza, Chimano and Savara formed the band as an a cappella group in 2005. The three met at Upper Hill High School and were members of a school music program called Voices in the Light.

Later, they met guitarist Otieno, who attended Strathmore School, at the Alliance française in Nairobi, where they frequented and decided to form Sauti (Swahili for “sound”).

As soon as the band met guitarist Otieno, they composed their first song, “Mafunzo ya Dunia” (literally, a lesson of the world), which appeared on their debut studio album, Mwanzo.

#4. How old are the Sauti Sol members?

Band members include Bien-Aime Baraza, Willis Austin Chimano, Savara Mudigi, and Polycarp Otieno.

Born on December 28, 1987, Bien-Aimé Baraza is one of the Sauti Sol band members’ songwriters, vocalists, and guitarists. He is 34 years old.

Sauti Sol’s Willis Austin Chimano is a vocalist, saxophonist, and keytar player. He was born on July 9, 1987, and is 34 years old.

Polycarp Otieno alias Fancy Fingers is one of the least popular members of the Sauti Sol band since he does not sing. He was born on November 14, 1987, which makes him 34 years old.

Another talented vocalist of Sauti Sol is Savara Mudigi, whose voice captivates the audience whenever he performs.

Savara was born on May 25, 1987, and is 34 years old. He is a drummer, singer, actor, DJ, and producer. His incredible versatility is one of the best assets that Sauti Sol has.

#5. Sauti Sol is from where?

The group originates from Kenya. In 2016, it was awarded the MTV Africa Music Awards Best Group (Africa) title, as well as the Soundcity MVP Awards and the African Muzik Magazine Awards.

#6. Is Sauti Sol a genre?

Sauti Sol is a Kenyan boy band that combines Afro-pop and Kapuka genres.

The Afro-pop genre has slowly but surely grown worldwide in the past decade as artists such as Drake and Beyonce have teamed up with Africa’s most famous artists.

Sauti means voice in Swahili, and Sol means sun in Spanish, so Sauti Sol means “voices of light.”

#7. Is Sauti Sol a gospel artist?

Members Bien-Aime Baraza, Delvin Mudigi, and Willis Chimano have been friends since high school when they sang together in a gospel ensemble.

After forming the band as a cappella group, they later added guitarist Polycarp Otieno to the lineup before naming themselves, Sauti Sol.

In Swahili, Sauti means voices, whereas Sol means sun, thus Sauti Sol means “Voices of light.”

#8. What is Sauti sol’s net worth?

There is no confirmed estimate of Sauti Sol’s net worth, but unverified sources suggest that the band is worth approximately $3.45 Million.

As a musical group, they performed on various stages across the globe to earn this money.

In 2016, they signed a deal with Chrome Vodka. In addition, they landed endorsement deals with Coca Cola, Safaricom, and the British Council Kenya World Voice Ambassadors.

As of June 2021, the Kenyan boy band signed an ambassadorial contract with Hong Kong smartphone manufacturer Infinix, making them the first music act to enter into an association with the company in Kenya.

#9. Sauti Sol has released five albums

The band has released five albums so far: Mwanzo (2008), Sol Filosofia (2011), Live and Die in Afrika (2015), Afrikan Sauce (2019), Midnight Train (2020) as well as a 2012 EP that they collaborated with South African rapper Spoek Mathambo in 2012.

The tracklist for Mwanzo

1. Asubuhi
2. Lazizi
3. Mafunzo ya Dunia
4. Sunny Days
5. Xhosi
6. Wera
7. Mama papa (featuring Dela)
8. Blue Uniform
9. Interlude Sauti Sol
10. Subira
11. Mapacha
12. Mushivala
13. Nairobi (featuring Stan)
14. Asante sana baba

Sol Filosofia, the tracklist

1. Mbinguni
2. Malikia
3. Coming Home
4. Soma Kijana
5. Awinja
6. Bowana Lelisu
7. Nambee
8. L.A.D.Y.
9. Row Your Boat
10. Sofia
11. Private Spice
12. Sol Generation

Tracklist for ‘Live and Die in Afrika’

1. Sura Yako
2. Live and Die in Afrika
3. Say Yeah
4. Isabella
5. It’s Okay
6. Nishike
7. Dollar Dollar
8. Still the One
9. Kiss Me
10. Nerea (feat. Amos and Josh)
11. Kuliko Jana” (feat. Aaron Rimbui)
12. Sambo Party
13. Nipe Nikupe
14. Shake Yo Bam Bam
15. Relax

Sauti Sol’s ‘Afrikan Sauce’ Tracklist

1. Melanin (featuring Patoranking)
2. Girl Next Door (featuring Tiwa Savage)
3. Afrikan Star (featuring Burna Boy)
4. Rewind (featuring Khaligraph Jones)
5. Short N Sweet (featuring Nyashinski)
6. Tujiangalie (featuring Nyashinski)
7. Special Somebody (with Jah Prayzah)
8. Love Again (with C4 Pedro)
9. Mbozi Za Malwa (with Bebe Cool)
10. Tulale Fofofo (with Mi Casa)
11. Kamasutra (featuring Vanessa Mdee)
12. Love on the Dance Floor” (featuring Toofan)
13. Africa (with Yemi Alade)

‘Midnight Train’ Tracklist

1. Intro
2. Midnight Train
3. Insecure
4. Feel my love
5. Brighter Days (ft. Soweto Gospel Choir)
6. Nenda Lote
7. Suzanna
8. Set me free (Interlude)
9. My everything (ft. India Arie Simpson)
10. Wake up (ft. Mortimer)
11. Sober
12. Rhumba Japani
13. Disco Matanga

#10. Sol Family television series

“Sol Family” is an all-new reality show created by Kenyan award-winning pop band Sauti Sol.

In a 13-part series, the group offers fans a glimpse into the personal lives of its members.

The reality show provides fans with an insight into the band’s music-making process and what they get up to behind the scenes. This is where you can watch Sauti Sol’s new reality TV show.

#11. What is the cost of booking the band?

As a book fee, Sauti Sol charges between $7,210 (KES800,000) and $45,000 (KES5 million).

When it comes to booking their shows, the boy band operates professionally. They have several managers who play different roles in the band’s affairs.

An ordinary show costs about KES800,000 in Kenya, although the amount varies based on distance and client.

#12. Sauti Sol’s album ‘Midnight Train’

‘Midnight Train’, is their fifth studio album

They brought joy to their fans’ hearts when they released their fifth studio album, ‘Midnight Train’, as they celebrated their first major-label signing with Universal Music Africa.

It’s an album that takes you through the arc of life, embracing the trials with songs like Suzanna, Brighter Days, Disco Matanga featuring Sho Madjozi and Black Motion, which appeared on Netflix’s Queen Sono and then Insecure was released.

Featuring production from producer Andre Harris (of Justin Bieber, Kanye West, Jill Scott), the title track Midnight Train embodies their never-say-die attitude.

Chimano stated, “We have had an incredible journey so far and each time we reach a destination, we realize the road does not end there. We strive to improve ourselves and hope to bring our fans along on the journey.”