BIO
Sauti Sol is an award-winning afro pop group from Kenya. The winners Best African Group at African Muzik Magazine Awards (2015 AFRIMMA) also won an MTV EMA Award for Best African Act in 2014. Comprising of Bien-Aime Baraza, Willis Austin Chimano, Polycarp Otieno and Savara Mudigi; the group mixes their soulful voices with vocal harmonies, guitar riffs and drum rhythm. Sauti Sol blends warm resonant pop with traditional Kenyan inuences. Their mélange of energetic rhythms has promoted the group to become one of Africa's most celebrated and East Africa's pioneers of a fresh sound that has inspired the sprouting of many other bands from East Africa. 

Sauti Sol's two albums, Mwanzo (2008) and Sol Filosoa (2011) have received high acclaim on Kenyan charts and gained international attention with shows in Africa (including their 2011 celebrated concert performance in Kenya with Ladysmith Black Mambazo), Europe and the US, as well as television appearances and various nominations. In June 2012, Sauti Sol released Sauti Sol, self-titled EP and collaborative effort with South African avant-garde innovative rapper/producer Spoek Mathambo. 
The band has produced their brand new third album, Live and Die in Afrika - Released in Novemeber 2015.

 RECOGNITION
Sauti Sol has steadily built their professional international experience. In 2015 Sauti Sol's notable tours and performances include the Las Vegas Sauti Sol Valentines Show at Hard Rock Café, Kenya's Koroga Festival, Tanzania's Jembeka Party and Dubai's Industry Nite, among others. In 2014, they performed at Blankets & Wine at 50 Festival (Kenya), Zanzibar International Film Festival, among shows in Europe. In 2013, they also headlined at Boombaataa Festival (Kenya) and City of Stars festival (Malawi). 
A tour through Europe in 2010 took Sauti Sol to Sweden where they made a television appearance and recorded their sophomore album, Sol Filosoa. In February 2012 they debuted at the Festival sur le Niger in Mali where they were performed alongside some of their African idols: Habib Koite, Salif Keita and Lokua Kanza. In 2011 and 2012 the band performed at the South by Southwest Music Festival (SXSW) in Austin, Texas. In June same year, they performed at the Kalorvy Vary International lm festival and Colours of Ostrava 2012, Czech Republic's biggest music festival. Between Sept-Dec 2012, Sauti Sol signed with Kenya's Niko Na Safaricom Live Tour transporting their renowned electric live performances to their fans in major Kenyan towns and cities. 
Sauti Sol has also performed at widely televised events including: the MTV Africa Music Awards (2014), Kenya's 51st Independence Day (2014), inauguration of Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta (2013), Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards held in Nigeria (2013) and at Big Brother Africa Reality Show in South Africa (2012). 

AWARDS/ACCOLADES
In 2015 BBC's 1Xtra named Sauti Sol among 5 Top African Acts to Watch. The BBC also interviewed Sauti Sol for the 2015 BBC Club Africa series and documentary - part of the BBC's 'A Richer World' season for BBC World Service Radio, World TV and 1Xtra. Winners Best Video in Kenya for Sura Yako at 2015 Bingwa Music Awards. In 2014, Sauti Sol made history as the rst Kenyans to win Best African Act at 2014 MTV Europe Awards (EMA). “Nishike” Sauti Sol music video was declared the Most Watched Video in Kenya by Google, while receiving numerous nominations including East Africa's Most Gifted Music Video at the 2014 Channel O Music video Awards (CHOMVA14). Winners SOMA 2014 for Best Use of Social Media in Entertainment. Winners SOMA 2013 Artist of the Year Award. Winners East Africa's Most Gifted Music Video at 2012 CHOMVA with “Shukuru” featuring AY.  

Jerome Suah aka Younkonde was born in West Africa, Liberia. As a kid, Jerome Suah was separated from his parents during the fourteen years of civil war that took place in Liberia at a very tender age. Because of this, he had to experience life in the streets of Monrovia, from one orphanage home to another.

He said: “While I was at the St. John Don Bosco orphanage home, I was given the opportunity to attend Feama Community Elementary School and there I began my education sojourn. But not too long when another war broke out, I had to flee from Monrovia to go to my hometown in Grand Gedeh County, my parents’ birthplace.”

Years later he was given the opportunity to migrate to New York; Jerome Suah’s passion for music began in 1998 when he bought his first Reggae Album called “Reggae Power”.

The Album featured songs like “Jah Jah, See & Know and Government Guns”. This album had a big influence on Jerome, since then Jerome began to love music in general but mostly reggae music, the reason being is because of the messages they deliver.

In 2007 Jerome Suah recorded his first professional song called “Left Alone” it was distributed amongst his friends and family and it was well received with great feedback. It was then when he decided to follow a path of a musical career and chose the name “Younkonde” as his stage name.

Since then Jerome knew he had work to do and with lots of sleepless night plus hard work he continues to perfect his musical talent. One of his biggest breakthroughs came when he started performing for Universities and other community events across America, including performances at UB University and the Chadron States College. Finally the biggest moment came when Younkonde was given the opportunity to do a freestyle with Alicia Keys after getting her consensus to do so on the song “We Are Here.”

Not just stopping at this point, the artist has started the year with a new single called “Struggle,” a song that speaks about the social issues in Africa and around the world. The song is making a wave on YouTube.

In 2014 he was nominated best Reggae artist at the Liberian Music Awards (LMA). Within the same year Younkonde also signed to Code Red Globe, it is a record label based in Buffalo, NY. As a reggae dancehall artist, he’s now known as one of the best and stands out as a Liberian artist. His style of reggae is very powerful and the energy he brings to the stage sets him apart from other dancehall artists, making him one of the best right now who’s known for his talent.

Liberia Music Award Foundation Country Representative, Joseph Junior Teah, spoke about him as the LMA 2015 nominee who rocked the stage at that event, and described him as one of the best raw and structured Liberian talents based in the United States, “and the energy he brings to the stage make him unique.”

Teah added that the “artist represents change; from the Don Bosco life to being a well-defined artist.”

Today, the world is presented a gift that presents itself with sound, delivery and love, please welcome to the world of 2017, never seen or heard of “Younkonde”.

Wendell Monseo is following