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.  

"To Me, music isn't about rhyming on the beat or pleasing fans. It's about being true to who you are, your story and changing lives."
~ DON SANTO

CM Wanzala (born April 13), popularly known as Don Santo (stylized as DON SANTO, is a Kenyan singer,  rapper, songwriter, arranger, actor, author, record producer, Photo-Videographer, Creative Director (Blame It On Don), entrepreneur, record executive and Leader of the Klassik Nation. Considered one of the greatest entertainers of all time, he is regarded as one of the world's most significant cultural icons and has been a global figure in popular culture for over a decade.

DON SANTO is among the most critically acclaimed musicians and one of the best-selling Kenyan music artists of all time. In 2015 he has won a total of 3 East Africa Music Awards, the most by a musician.

DON SANTO was born in Nambale, Busia and was raised in Kisumu where he lived with his family through his early school life at Ogango Primary School. He was appointed the School’s ‘spiritual leader’ between 1995 – 2000. He then attended St. Teresa’s High School, Kabula where he went on to become a student leader and the Chairman of the Christian Union, Debating Club, Music Club, Computer and Inventions Club and founded the Journalism Club. He went to the Technical University of Kenya and later at the University of South Africa. According to his interviews and lyrics, during this period he sold marijuana and pornographic material and was shot thirteen times but missed the bullet. This led him to turn to a God-fearing way of life. He served as an ordained evangelist in the Anglican Church of Kenya and acting Chaplain for Mabunge Secondary and Primary Schools.

​The genius of DON SANTO rests in his willingness to break from traditional formula and constantly push the envelope. He flips the method of the moment with undeniable swagger and bold African sensibility.

​As a songwriter, Santo revisits simple, but profound aspects of the human experience – love, lust, desire, joy and pain that define classical art and drama. He applies his concept to rich, full vocals that exude his intended effect.

It is this uncanny ability to compose classics and deliver electrifying live performances that define everything that is essential DON SANTO.

​In 2015, DON SANTO won the East Africa Music Awards in the Artist of the year Category while his song "Sina Makosa" won the Song of The year.

​The genius of DON SANTO rests in his willingness to break from traditional formula and constantly push the envelope. He flips the method of the moment with undeniable swagger and bold African sensibility.

As a songwriter, Santo revisits simple, but profound aspects of the human experience – love, lust, desire, joy and pain that define classical art and drama. He applies his concept to rich, full vocals that exude his intended effect.

Musician/Band
Urban Afro Band! Young, talented, passionate! Ready to put East Africa on the map!

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