BET award eludes Sauti Sol, but group wins fans’ hearts
Kenya sensational boys band Sauti Sol entertains guest during the celebrations to mark Queen Elizabeth II birthday held on June 18, 2015 at British High Commissioner's residence in Muthaiga. PHOTO | JEFF ANGOTE | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Sauti Sol had been nominated alongside AKA (South Africa), Fally Ipupa (DR Congo), Sarkodie (Ghana), The Soil (South Africa), Wizkid (Nigeria) Stonebwoy (Ghana) and Yemi Alade (Nigeria).
- Sauti Sol singers were excited that East Africa got an award as they congratulated Ugandan Eddy Kenzo, who bagged the Best International Viewers’ Choice Award.
- Sauti Sol would go on to use the event to meet their fans, with whom the star-struck artistes shared their excitement.
All was not lost as award-winning Kenyan group Sauti Sol on Monday failed to add a prestigious BET award to their impressive trophy cabinet.
The boy band, made up of Bien-Aime Baraza, Willis Austin Chimano, Polycarp Otieno, and Savara Mudigi, had been nominated for the Best International Act in the Black Entertainment Television (BET) Awards that was won by Ghana’s Stonebwoy.
Sauti Sol attended the star-studded event in Los Angeles, California, that seeks to honour African American and other minority artists.
The group took photographs with other international stars as they sent congratulatory messages to the winners during the 15th edition of the awards.
Sauti Sol had been nominated alongside AKA (South Africa), Fally Ipupa (DR Congo), Sarkodie (Ghana), The Soil (South Africa), Wizkid (Nigeria) Stonebwoy (Ghana) and Yemi Alade (Nigeria).
The quartet swiftly took to their social media pages to express their gratitude for the long way they had come and congratulated Stonebwoy, a Ghanaian afropop, reggae and dancehall artiste whose real name is Livingstone Etse Satekla.
“Join us in congratulating Ghana!! @stonebwoyb winner BET AWARDS 2015 Best International Act – Africa. Thank You God for bringing us this far!! More to come!! #AfricaRising,” they posted.
Sauti Sol singers were excited that East Africa got an award as they congratulated Ugandan Eddy Kenzo, who bagged the Best International Viewers’ Choice Award.
“Very glad this one came home to East Africa! Congratulations @eddykenzo for winning a BET AWARD for Best International Viewers’ Choice Award! You deserve it! Also s/o to Ghetto Kids. Uganda we are seeing you soon in our first concert there! Coming soon!!”
The group, which played to sold-out concerts in the US, had a graceful attitude in sharp contrast to that of Ghanaian Fuse ODG, who boycotted the event and the BET of behind the scenes machinations.
In a tweet, the UK based-Ghanaian artiste said: “Dear BET, the reason why I didn’t come is because you give awards backstage. You have no respect for our hard work and achievements.” To which compatriot and winner, Stonebwoy retorted that no awards were perfect as he accepted his award, which he dedicated to his country Ghana and flood victims.
“GHANA WON!! Dedicate This To The Whole Ghana My Fans (BhimNation) Not Forgetting The Flood Victims. Thank You God!! (sic),” he said in a tweet.
Sauti Sol would go on to use the event to meet their fans, with whom the star-struck artistes shared their excitement.
Stylish in colourful jackets by Kenyan designers, the group stood out on the red carpet as they posed alongside celebrity duo of US artiste Brandy and her brother Ray J, famous for their rendition of Phill Collins’s classic hit “Another Day in Paradise”.
“BET AWARDS 2015 was super awesome!!! Meeting the dynamic siblings Ray J & Brandy The star-studded BET AWARDS 2015 is broadcasting live from the Nokia Theatre. It was more than amazing!! So cool to meet the vvvvvvery beautiful @4everbrandy and @rayJ Super cool siblings! So down to earth! Kenyan boys kicking it in L.A (sic),” they posted.
They, however, met their match in the flamboyant Fally Ipupa, who attended the event dressed from head to toe in red.
“It’s been an awesome #BETWeekend in LA. Got to connect with the legend himself @fallyipupa01 again!! #africawellrepresented,” they Instagrammed.
The group also met with Robin Thicke, the “Blurred Lines” hitmaker. “Had the pleasure of meeting the former real husbands of Hollywood cast & a naturally gifted singer @robinthicke.”
The group quickly turned their attention to the upcoming MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMAs), to which they have two nominations for the Best Group and Song of the Year, for their song “Sura Yako”.
Last year, the group emerged the Best African Act at the MTV Europe Music Awards MTV EMAs but were unable to replicate their success globally when they failed to clinch a nomination to the 2014 MTV Europe Music Awards Worldwide Act.
Sauti Sol, which has won numerous awards since its debut hit “Lazizi” was released in 2009, has remained consistent as it taps into its huge social media following that includes President Uhuru Kenyatta.
According to its website, the group is in the US and will perform at the annual Fourth of July Kenyan Reunion, commonly known as the Jersey 254 Street Bash.
