Bien-Aimé Baraza

Bien-Aimé Baraza
Birth nameBien-Aimé Alusa Baraza
Born (1987-12-28) December 28, 1987
Nairobi, Kenya
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • Songwriter
  • Guitarist
  • Music executive
Years active2005–present
LabelsSol Generation Records
SpouseChiki Kuruka (m. 2020)

Bien-Aimé Alusa Baraza (born 28 December 1987), known professionally as Bien, is a Kenyan singer, songwriter, and guitarist. He is a member of the acclaimed Kenyan Afropop band Sauti Sol.[1]

As a solo artist, Bien has achieved commercial success with his debut album Alusa Why Are You Topless? and is a co-founder of the record label Sol Generation Records. He is also a Grammy-certified songwriter for his contribution to the Burna Boy album Twice as Tall.[2]

Early life and education

Bien-Aimé Alusa Baraza was born and raised in Nairobi, Kenya. He attended Upper Hill School, where he met his future Sauti Sol bandmates, Willis Chimano and Savara Mudigi. The group was initially an a cappella group called Voices in the Light.[3] The fourth member, guitarist Polycarp Otieno, joined after they graduated.

After high school, Bien enrolled at the United States International University Africa (USIU-Africa), where he graduated in 2011 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Media Studies.[4]

Career

Sauti Sol

As a lead vocalist and primary songwriter for Sauti Sol, Bien was central to the band's rise to become one of Africa's most successful musical groups. Formed in 2005, the band gained international recognition for its unique sound, which blended traditional Kenyan influences with contemporary Afropop and R&B. The band released several critically acclaimed albums, including Mwanzo (2008), Sol Filosofia (2011), Live and Die in Afrika (2015), Afrikan Sauce (2019), and Midnight Train (2020).

In May 2023, Sauti Sol announced they would be taking an "indefinite hiatus" following a final world tour, allowing the members to focus on their individual solo projects.[1]

Solo career

Bien had been involved in solo projects for several years, but his solo career officially gained momentum in 2021. He signed a deal with Sol Generation Records, a label he co-founded, to release his personal projects.[5]

In November 2021, he released his debut EP, Bald Men Love Better, a collaboration with jazz pianist Aaron Rimbui. The EP was praised for its musicality and introspective lyrics.[6]

In November 2023, Bien released his debut full-length solo album, Alusa Why Are You Topless?. The 16-track album featured collaborations with international artists, including Ayra Starr, Ms Banks, and Scar Mkadinali.[7] That same month, he became the fourth Kenyan artist to be featured on the acclaimed German music platform COLORSxSTUDIOS, where he performed his song "True Love."[8]

He embarked on a European tour in early 2024 to promote the album.[9] In July 2024, he released a deluxe version of the album, featuring new tracks and collaborations with artists like Fally Ipupa and Adekunle Gold.[10] His music has achieved significant commercial success; in 2024, Spotify named him the most-streamed Kenyan artist of the year.[11]

Artistry and activism

Bien's music blends Afropop with elements of Rhumba, R&B, and Afrobeats. His songwriting often addresses themes of love, relationships, and social commentary. Songs like "Maandamano" (Swahili for "Protests"), a collaboration with rapper Breeder LW, directly tackle political and social issues affecting Kenyans.[12]

He is an outspoken advocate for artists' rights and has frequently criticized the Music Copyright Society of Kenya (MCSK) for what he describes as inadequate royalty payments to musicians.[13] He has also publicly expressed support for LGBTQ+ rights in Kenya.[14]

Other ventures

Alongside his Sauti Sol bandmates, Bien is a co-founder and director of several business ventures:

  • Sol Generation Records: A full-service record label and creative arts company.
  • Hustle Sasa: A digital marketplace platform that allows creatives to sell products directly to their audience.[15]
  • Sol Kids: A company focused on creating children's content, including books and animations.

In 2022, he opened a nightclub in Nairobi called The Manhattan Ke Bar and Grill.[16] He also serves on the board of the Recording Industry of Kenya (RIKE).[17]

Personal life

In March 2020, Bien married his long-time partner, Chiki Kuruka, a fitness instructor and media personality, who also serves as his manager.[18][19]

Awards and recognition

As a member of Sauti Sol, Bien has won numerous awards, including an MTV Europe Music Award and multiple AFRIMA awards. The following are awards for his work as a songwriter and a solo artist.

Year Award Ceremony Category Work Result Ref.
2021 63rd Grammy Awards Best Global Music Album Twice as Tall (as songwriter) Won [2]
2024 Basata Music Awards (Tanzania) Best African Song "Komasava" (with Mbosso) Won [20]
Pulse Music Video Awards (Kenya) Male Video of the Year "My Baby" Won [21]
2025 Trace Awards Best Artist - East Africa Himself Won [22]

References

  1. ^ a b "Sauti Sol: Kenyan afro-pop band announces 'indefinite hiatus'". BBC News. 22 May 2023. Retrieved 19 July 2025.
  2. ^ a b "Bien, Bensoul Named Grammy Award-Winning Songwriters". KenyanVibe. 17 March 2021. Retrieved 19 July 2025.
  3. ^ "Sauti Sol: The Story Behind the Band". The Star (Kenya). 3 August 2012. Retrieved 19 July 2025.
  4. ^ "Sauti Sol's Bien: Music paid my entire university fees". Nairobi News. 13 March 2023. Retrieved 19 July 2025.
  5. ^ "Bien signs Ksh.50 million deal with Sol Generation, a record label he helped found". Citizen Digital. 5 November 2021. Retrieved 19 July 2025.
  6. ^ "Bien Releases 'Bald Men Love Better' EP Featuring Aaron Rimbui". NotJustOk. 5 November 2021. Retrieved 19 July 2025.
  7. ^ "'Alusa Why Are You Topless?' Bien finally drops debut solo album". Citizen Digital. 17 November 2023. Retrieved 19 July 2025.
  8. ^ "Sauti Sol's Bien becomes fourth Kenyan artiste to be featured on COLORS Studios". Citizen Digital. 7 November 2023. Retrieved 19 July 2025.
  9. ^ "Bien lands in Paris as his much-anticipated Europe tour kicks off". Citizen Digital. 7 March 2024. Retrieved 19 July 2025.
  10. ^ "Bien Pushes Creative Boundaries In "Alusa Why Are You Topless (Deluxe)"". KenyanVibe. 24 July 2024. Retrieved 19 July 2025.
  11. ^ "Bien dethrones Wakadinali as Spotify's Top Kenyan Artist of 2024". TV47 Digital. 9 December 2024. Retrieved 28 March 2025.
  12. ^ "Beyond beats: Why Bien's voice will always echo in your mind". Pulse Live Kenya. Retrieved 19 July 2025.
  13. ^ "Why I turned down MCSK invite to collect my royalties - Bien". Citizen Digital. 29 February 2024. Retrieved 19 July 2025.
  14. ^ "Why Sauti Sol's Bien fully supports LGBTQ community". Kiss 100. 5 March 2023. Retrieved 19 July 2025.
  15. ^ "Musician's app helps Kenyan creatives sell music and merchandise". Citizen Digital. 4 January 2023. Retrieved 19 July 2025.
  16. ^ "Sauti Sol's Bien ventures into business, opens new pub". Citizen Digital. 2 August 2022. Retrieved 19 July 2025.
  17. ^ "RIKE, new association aimed at bolstering Kenyan music, brings on board Sauti Sol's Bien". Citizen Digital. 10 October 2023. Retrieved 19 July 2025.
  18. ^ "Sauti Sol's Bien and Chiki tie the knot in a private ceremony". Nairobi News. 6 March 2020. Retrieved 19 July 2025.
  19. ^ "Chiki Celebrates One Year of Managing Bien". KenyanVibe. 3 May 2024. Retrieved 19 July 2025.
  20. ^ "Bien, Mbosso win big at Basata Music Awards in Tanzania". The Star (Kenya). 13 July 2024. Retrieved 19 July 2025.
  21. ^ "Bien, Nikita Kering Dominate Pulse Music Video Awards". Nairobi Gossip Club. 15 March 2024. Retrieved 19 July 2025.
  22. ^ "Bien wins Trace award in Zanzibar". KBC. 27 February 2025. Retrieved 28 March 2025.
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