Career timeline of Sauti Sol member, Bien

During yesterday's event at Black Samurai Lounge, where Bien Barasa held a listening party, he disclosed that he will release his new deluxe album today, so stay tuned.

Let's take a look at his career timeline as we celebrate this achievement.

Early Years and Formation of Sauti Sol (2005-2008)

• 2005: Bien met the other members of Sauti Sol (Savara, Chimano, and Polycarp) in high school and later at Alliance Française in Nairobi, where they started their musical journey.
• 2006: The group began performing at various events and talent shows, honing their craft and gaining recognition.

Rise to Fame (2009-2013)

• 2009: Sauti Sol released their debut album, Mwanzo, which received critical acclaim and established them as a major force in the Kenyan music scene.
• 2011: The band released their second album, Sol Filosofia, further cementing their popularity and winning numerous awards.
• 2012: Sauti Sol gained international recognition, performing at concerts and festivals in Europe and the United States.

Mainstream Success and Awards (2014-2018)

• 2014: Sauti Sol released the album Live and Die in Afrika, featuring hit singles like "Sura Yako" and "Nishike." The album was a commercial success and won several awards.
• 2016: The group won the MTV Africa Music Award for Best Group and the AFRIMA award for Best African Group.
• 2017: Bien and his bandmates continued to tour extensively, performing at major international events and festivals.

Continued Success and Solo Projects (2019-2021)

• 2019: Sauti Sol released their album Afrikan Sauce, which featured collaborations with various African artists and was well-received.
• 2020: The band launched their record label, Sol Generation, to nurture new talent. They also released the album Midnight Train, which included popular tracks like "Suzanna" and "Brighter Days."
• 2021: Bien pursued solo projects alongside his work with Sauti Sol. He released solo singles and collaborated with other artists, showcasing his versatility and expanding his musical influence.

Solo Career and Recent Achievements (2022-Present)

• 2022: Bien continued to release solo tracks and collaborate with various artists, expanding his musical repertoire. Notable releases included singles like "Mbwe Mbwe" featuring Aaron Rimbui, which was well-received. Sauti Sol also embarked on their Midnight Train tour, performing across different countries and receiving immense appreciation from fans. The band and its members continued to receive accolades for their contributions to the music industry, with nominations for several awards, including the MTV Africa Music Awards and the AFRIMAs.
• 2023: The band released various songs such as "Tano Tena," "All My Days," and "In My Head," among others. Later that year, the band members decided to pursue solo projects to allow individual growth.
• 2024: Bien embarked on solo performances, which he revealed have enabled him to learn a lot and unlock new opportunities.

Songs Bien has released this year include:

• "Maandamano" featuring Breeder
• "Wahala" featuring Adkunle and Shine TTW
• "Take Me Away" featuring Ayanfe
• "Macherie" featuring Fally Ipupa

His new album is set to be released today.