You can see the erosion of our culture: Bien explains why Sol Fest celebrates Kenyan music
By Katemarthason Okudo, September 26, 2026Kenyan singer and songwriter Bien-Aimé Baraza has explained why culture remains an important part of Sol Fest, saying the festival was created to remind audiences where Kenyan music comes from.
Speaking in a video shared on his Instagram page on Friday, September 25, 2026, Bien said the Kenyan music scene has experienced a gradual loss of cultural identity, making it important for artists to reconnect with their roots.
He explained that Sol Fest and Sol Generation are not only focused on music performances but also on creating a space where Kenyan culture can be remembered and passed on to a younger generation.
Bien on the erosion of culture
Bien said the changes in Kenyan music can be seen in the way artists create and present their music, with some cultural elements gradually becoming less visible. “You can see the erosion of our culture in our music,” he said.
According to Bien, artists who understand where their music comes from are better placed to create work that reflects their identity. He said this is part of the reason Sol Fest continues to bring together different generations of artists and sounds.
“The main exercise of Sol Fest and Sol Generation is to use art and music to remind us where we are from, so that we can know where we are going,” Bien explained.
Sol Fest celebrates different generations
Sol Fest was launched in 2021 as a music festival connected to Sauti Sol and Sol Generation. The first edition was held at Carnivore Grounds in Nairobi and featured Sauti Sol alongside artists including Bensoul, Nviiri the Storyteller, Femi One, Wakadinali, Maandy and Chris Kaiga.
Since then, the festival has grown beyond being a platform for Sauti Sol and its music. It has increasingly brought together established musicians and younger artists, giving different sounds a place on the same stage. Bien described Sol Fest as a platform for artists to express themselves while also showcasing Kenya’s cultural evolution.
Bien reflects on Gengetone
Bien also spoke about Gengetone, a sound that became popular among young Kenyans before the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted live entertainment and affected the careers of many artists associated with the genre.
He said the genre did not get enough time to develop because its growth was interrupted. “Gengetone didn’t get the chance it deserves because Gengetone’s lifeline was cut short by COVID, and I’m excited to see them perform again,” Bien said.
His comments come as Gengetone continues to be part of conversations around the development of Kenyan music, particularly its use of Sheng and its connection to Nairobi’s youth culture.
Bien and Sol Generation
Beyond performing, Bien is also one of the founders of Sol Generation, the music label established by Sauti Sol members in 2019. The label has worked with artists including Bensoul, Nviiri the Storyteller and other emerging musicians.
For Bien, the work goes beyond producing songs. Through Sol Generation and Sol Fest, he has continued to push for a music industry where younger artists can find their identity while remaining connected to the sounds and stories that came before them.
His latest remarks therefore place culture at the centre of the conversation, with Sol Fest serving as one of the platforms he believes can help keep Kenya’s musical heritage visible.