Kenya: Sauti Sol launch creatives-facing mobile app

The app was co-founded by the pop group, and aims to empower 100 000 creatives across Africa by 2025. Its developers said it was designed to be a central hub for creatives to manage their business from creating storefronts, adding physical and digital products, recording orders, and accepting payments. It enables artists to sell directly to their fans, manage their sales on demand and get paid instantly. Users can share their unique store link with their audiences on social and messaging platforms and start earning from their fans immediately.

The platform is currently being used by musicians such as Sauti Sol, H_art The Band, Harry Kimani, Yaba and Sylvia Ssaru, among others. It is also being employed by several digital artists, chefs, fashion designers and beauty brands.

“We’re building mobile-first tools to empower creators to grow their business, build relationships with their fans, and manage their finances,” Hustle Sasa co-founder and chief marketing officer Rizz Jiwani said. “We’re excited that Sauti Sol has joined our team. Their success as artists and passion for the creative industry aligns perfectly with our mission. We want it to be a creative’s best friend that can cater to all of their business needs,” Sauti Sol member Bien said. “This is the future and we’re excited to take this journey together.”

Sauti Sol member Savara said: “Hustle enables every creative to build an independent business with no setup costs and no monthly fees. We want to make it easy for creators to build a business around their passions.”

The creative economy in Kenya is a key contributor to economic growth and employment, accounting for more than 5% of Kenya’s gross domestic product (GDP). This sector includes music, books, performing arts, film, fashion and software industries, among others.

Hustle Sasa comes amid the COVID-19 pandemic and its restrictions on live performances, which have negatively impacted the livelihoods of musicians who rely on the sector.

Sauti Sol is among the most successful acts in Africa. Having toured across Africa, the US, Europe and Australia, the chart-topping band has received the recognition and respect of both their fans and the industry, winning international awards including the MTV EMA for Best African Act and the MTV Africa Award for Best African Group.