Sauti Sol’s Chimano announces launch of his new book
By Ascah Mwango, January 21, 2026Sauti Sol band member Willis Austin Chimano has announced the launch of his debut book titled Heavy Is the Crown.
The book marks a new chapter in Chimano’s creative journey, expanding his work beyond music into literature.
Sharing the good news with his fans on Instagram on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, he announced that the launch will take place on January 29 at The Living Rooms in Ngara, Nairobi, from 7 pm to 10 pm.
The event is planned as a fan show, bringing together Chimano’s supporters to celebrate the release. The book is described as a deeply personal work, blending memoir and reflection, and offering insight into his life, beliefs and experiences.
“Hey Chimandems. We are so excited to invite you to the Fan Show Launch of Chimanos first book release: Heavy Is The Crown: Part Memoir, Part Manifesto, All Heart. Where: The Living Rooms Ngara. When: 29th January Time: 7-10pm,” he announced.
Chimano rose to fame as a founding member of Sauti Sol, one of Kenya’s most successful music groups. Formed in 2005, the band dominated the African music scene for nearly two decades, earning international recognition for their unique sound and powerful storytelling. In 2023, Sauti Sol announced an indefinite break, allowing each member to focus on individual projects.
Following the group’s split, Chimano began shaping his solo career with a more personal and expressive approach. In 2022, he released his debut solo EP, also titled Heavy Is the Crown, which explored themes of identity, self-acceptance and personal growth. The project introduced fans to a more introspective side of the artist, separate from the group dynamic of Sauti Sol.
Split of Sauti Sol
Sauti Sol held their final show together in December 2023, closing a major chapter for one of Kenya’s most loved music groups.
By the time they went on a break, the group had spent 17 years entertaining fans in Kenya and across the world. After the announcement, the four members chose to follow their own paths, saying the move was a music hiatus rather than a permanent breakup.
When Sauti Sol announced an indefinite hiatus in 2023, Chimano largely stepped away from the public eye. In an interview, he said the break turned into a time of deep self-reflection, therapy, and personal healing.
“I have been resting, restoring, replenishing, and taking some time out for myself and to figure out how to work this new chapter of my life,” he says. “I didn’t want to go back immediately into the rat race of what it all was. I just wanted to take a step back, because the band [had] been together since high school,” Chimano said.
However, since then, the group and their team have made Sol Fest an annual end‑of‑year event. They brought the festival back in December 2024, and there was another big SolFest in December 2025, with Sauti Sol reuniting on stage to perform for fans again.
