With Sauti Sol still on an indefinite hiatus as a band, vocalist Willis Chimano has shed light on the higher fees required to book them for a performance during this period, as each member focuses on their solo music careers.
The band announced their hiatus in May 2023 after 18 years of making music together. Despite the break, they have occasionally reunited for self-produced performances, including their most recent concert at the third edition of Sol Fest held at Uhuru Gardens on December 19 and 21, 2024. The event featured legendary rhumba bands Them Mushrooms and Les Wanyika, with telecom giant Safaricom contributing Sh15.5 million as a main sponsor.
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“It’s more expensive now (during this hiatus) to book Sauti Sol for a performance. If we are going to perform, it has to be worth it financially. Someone offering $100,000 (Sh13 million) would be ideal, but we wouldn’t consider anything much lower than that,” Chimano revealed.
Entertainment journalist John Muchiri noted that before the hiatus, Sauti Sol typically charged a minimum of $40,000 (Sh5 million) for a one-hour performance. Chimano explained the high costs: “Running a band is expensive. Promoters must cover plane tickets, hotel accommodations, and general band expenses. When they agree to pay, it’s because they expect to profit, which reflects the value of your brand. Sauti Sol has built a strong brand.”
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Sauti Sol earned their first million in 2013 through Safaricom Twaweza Live, a seven-month campaign that featured six concerts across Kenya to nurture local talent and impact communities. “Signing up for Safaricom Live changed our lives because of the money we received. It was the first time we saw a few million shillings,” Chimano recalled.
