Kenyan band Sauti Sol signs with Universal Music

The news was made public via the Kenyan band’s Facebook page. "It's official! Our first major recording deal, Universal Music Group. Thank you, guys, for being patient. We hope you all are ready for the new album," Sauti Sol wrote. 

Sauti Sol will benefit from UMG’s global network and engage a new generation of fans throughout Africa via UMG’s continental division, UMA.

"We are delighted to announce our partnership with Sauti Sol, one of the most innovative and creative groups to have broken through from Africa in recent years," UMG South Africa and sub-Saharan Africa managing director Sipho Dlamini said. 

"Universal Music Africa is dedicated to helping the best African music talent reach new audiences around the world, and we are excited to welcome them to our global UMG family.

"We look forward to working together with them to ensure they can authentically celebrate Africa through music and to help introduce their unique blend Afropop to new listeners everywhere.”

Sauti Sol released their well-received debut album Mwanzo in 2008, followed by Sol Filosofia in 2011, which amassed multiple accolades in the form of awards and nominations.

The music video for the single ‘Coming Home’ earned the band the Best Music Video Award at the Kisima Music Awards, as well as the Best Fusion Artist/Group of the Year Award. Their collaboration EP with South African rapper and producer Spoek Mathambo was released in 2012.

The music video for the single ‘Range Rover’ was shot at an old Dutch ammunition factory in Zaandam, Netherlands, which has since become a cultural heritage site. Live and Die in Afrika, Sauti Sol’s 2015 third studio album, was released for free download for 48 hours. This early Christmas present to their fans garnered 400 000 downloads in that period alone.

Having toured successfully across Africa, the US, Europe and Australia, the chart-topping band has received the recognition and respect of both their fans and the industry, taking home international awards including BET Awards, an MTV EMA for Best African Act and an MTV Africa Award for Best African Group.

Sauti Sol joins artists signed to UMG’s various African operations, including Tekno (Nigeria), Mr Eazi (Nigeria), Vanessa Mdee (Tanzania), Nasty C (South Africa), Sho Madjozi (South Africa) and Irene Ntale (Uganda).

UMA has offices in South Africa, Nigeria, Ivory Coast and Kenya and over the past 18 months has signed some of Africa’s biggest artists including Tiwa Savage, Nasty C, Yemi Alade and Cassper Nyovest.