8 things you (probably) didn’t know about Sauti Sol

Lipala Tour is a meet and greet with fans where from regions of Kenya (mashinani) that would not normally see a Sauti Sol concert. The shows are greatly subsidised by the band to ensure they reach fans who never dreamt they would tour areas such as Kilifi, Kitui without sponsorship.

Their first ever synchronisation deal is with Vodacom recently for their Sura Yako track for an undisclosed amount. They are grateful for the cross border recognition, but wish a Kenyan firm had approached them first.

In their first ever show in Tanzania, fans thronged the airport to meet them and they say the love there is amazing.

Their gigs calendar is totally full for the next six months, starting with Paris and London next month, should they win Best World Act, India and Middle East, Glasgow, then South Africa, Dubai and probably Australia in December, 10-state tour in the US from February 2015.

They have done a couple of international collabos whose videos they will also be shooting.

They leverage on their different strengths- from Bien’s song writing ability, Chimano’s style sense, and even who accompanies their manager to what kind of meeting.

Their new album is entitled Live and Die in Afrika, which they have been working on for two years now. It’s a celebration of being African which they claim will change how music is perceived from this region.

They want to change the perception of music in Kenya as "people generally view it as a hobby as opposed to a profession".

They say that in Nigeria, C-rated musicians are endorsed for Sh15 million to make music videos, yet back home, they have no monetary incentive for their recent fete.