Ever since the Sauti Sol brand started performing together in 2007, their talent and invaluable imprint on the African music industry have earned them several awards, including Best African Act, Best Group MTV MAMA and many more. Their success in the industry, led them to create their own record label called Sol Generation. One of the aims of their label is to nurture talent and leave a legacy.
How Nviiri joined Sol Generation
One of the beneficiaries of this initiative is the talented singer and songwriter Nviiri the storyteller. The artist whose popular hits include Kesi Baadaye and Pombe Sigara was discovered by Sauti Sol. He was their camera guy that shot their behind the scenes footage. After Bien heard him singing, he encouraged him to take up a music career.
Nviiri composed songs and even formed a gospel band. He later did a gospel tour in South Korea and when he returned to Kenya, he joined an art hub where he was exposed to several musicians, including Sauti Sol. This helped him to polish his skills even further.
He started getting involved in the writing sessions with Sauti Sol and his turning point as a songwriter was when he co-wrote the lyrics for the popular hit Melanin. This song was performed by Sauti Sol and featured Nigerian reggae-dancehall singer and songwriter Patrick Nvaemeka Okorie, better known by his stage name Patoranking.
“If you are not ready for the opportunity, you will not see it-” Nviiri said. It is clearly his time to shine.
What’s the story behind the Sauti Sol rooster logo?
“Hii band ni ya waluhya…abandu wa ingo who came together by natural selection so naturally we had to put our national creature as our emblem and logo”. That’s the reason Bien gave as to why the rooster (which happens to be his favourite animal) features in most of their songs and - their brand. “The rooster is also an early riser and crows each morning without fail”-Bien added. Much like the rooster, their music is what many would listen to first thing in the morning as part of their daily ritual.
Sol Family airs every Sunday at 7:30 pm only on MMPlus channel 163.