Sauti Sol, one of Kenya’s most iconic music groups, bid farewell to their fans on Saturday, November 4, 2023, with a final SolFest concert at the historic Uhuru Gardens in Nairobi.
The boyband, which consists of Bien Baraza, Polycarp Otieno, Savara Mudigi, and Austin Chimano, delivered a stunning performance as they marked the end of their 20-year musical journey together.
The two-day event, which was sold out, attracted more than 20,000 fans who came to witness the last show by the band that has entertained Kenya and the world with hits such as Sura Yako, Kuliko Jana, and Melanin.
The SolFest concert was a poignant and heartfelt affair, as the band members expressed their gratitude and appreciation to their loyal supporters.
Going to discover ourselves
“We love you for being sentimental…this is not the last. It has been an amazing journey, fans we started with, the ones we got along the way—in our ups and downs, we fought sometimes, we had good times, you have helped us build this brand.
Look around, this is all you. We would not have done it without you. Thank you for supporting us.
We do not take this for granted,” Willis Chimano said.
“Look at us; we are still brothers. We have been together for 20 years since we were 15 years old,” he said.
“We are going to discover ourselves individually so that we can be better versions of ourselves, so when we come back, we’re going to give you 1,000 per cent,” he said as revellers cheered.
Singer Chimano’s emotional Speech amid their performance at #Solfest .
Sauti Sol thanked their fans for supporting them for the past 20 Years@sautisol @iamchimano @bienaimesol @savarafrica @Nanjero_ #Solfest pic.twitter.com/VpR76RQNMj
— Dennis Milimo (@dennothefamous) November 5, 2023
“To our incredible fans, our greatest love and voice! ❤️ We’re beyond grateful for 20 incredible years of your unwavering support. Thank you for making @solfestafrica the ultimate festival in East Africa! While we’re taking a short break, remember, Solfest lives on because of you. Stay tuned for what’s next,” read a post of Sauti Sol’s Instagram page.
indefinite hiatus
In May, Sauti Sol announced that they would be taking an indefinite hiatus from group projects, and pursue individual endeavours in music and other creative fields.
The band said that the hiatus was a new beginning for them, not the end of their friendship or partnership.
“Sauti Sol remains a close-knit family and business entity. We are excited to explore new creative avenues and embark on personal projects,” the band said in a statement.
Sauti Sol has been one of the most successful and influential bands in Africa, winning several awards, including Best African Act at the 2014 MTV Europe Music Awards.
They have also collaborated with international artists such as Burna Boy, Tiwa Savage, and Yemi Alade.
