Sol Family: Reality-TV but not ratchet and with music

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Sauti Sol

What you need to know:

  • There will be no drinks flying, or unnecessary drama in this docu-reality show. Prepare for an emotive series that tries its best to be authentic and wholesome
  • You’ll wonder where the Sol Generation women are and why we haven’t yet seen strong women voices on the label or in the writing room
  • They also let us in on the revelations on why they signed their shinning musical stable.

I’m here to talk about Sauti Sol choosing to add reality TV stars to their long list of titles. But first let’s just reflect on the ''fan-freaking-tastic'' virtual experience of their latest album “Midnight Train,” that happened this past weekend! I mean the absolute spectacle!

It was really an extravaganza (you know, like their other song?) and if you were as touched as I was you didn’t let the amazing set, editing, graphics, and lighting stun you into inactivity because it demanded that you dance! I can’t believe this is how I finally learned how to do the Odi dance.

Also, as if the production quality wasn’t already A1, there were outfit changes. Chimano’s first ensemble wins my best getup category of the night, but the Burundian guitarist must be hoarding all the city council water reserves because he left us extremely parched.

Arguably better than the last Coke Studio season I watched, which to be honest was many seasons back, I was highly impressed and gratified to have been the recipient of such an offering!

Hongera guys, good job!

Sol Revelations

Now that I’ve stopped yelling let’s talk about our favourite man band’s newest project. Have you watched Sol Family yet? It is a docu-reality show that gives viewers a glimpse into the workings of the ‘Sol Generation’ record label, which the group started to impart their musical wisdom to the next generation of musicians.

You must have watched the short clips on YouTube if you weren’t able to watch the full episodes on Maisha Magic Plus. Don’t worry, Sauti Sol bado ni wale wasee so the YouTube clips cover the essence of the show which means even the watu, *points at self*, who don’t have cable TV can still appreciate it, so msitense.

What I love about the show so far, even more than the honest and authentic interviews, are the revelations. Yes, we get to see Savara, Chimano, Bien, and Polycarp in their homes or going about their lives, but they also let us in on why they signed their shinning musical stable.

The Women of Sauti Sol

In the first three episodes, we are introduced to two of the three women beside (never behind) the men. First, we meet Yvonne, Savara’s girlfriend, she’s casually exercising at the front of the house which is pretty much what a lot of people are doing in quarantine. That and eating. The couple shares how they met and its very adorably Nairobi nights, which endears them even more.

We shortly after meet Polycarp’s wife, Lady Mandy. She’s my most favourite of all, to be honest- bubbly, funny and assertive I’m looking forward to seeing her more in the coming episodes. Also, all women should be as blessed as she is to have such an easy and enjoyable pregnancy. We must form a prayer circle at the next women’s AGM.

But these aren’t the only women beside the men. As Nviiri and Bensoul share their coming into music stories in episode 3 and 4, we are also introduced to their mothers. It’s both heart-breaking and warming to hear them gush over their mothers and the way they supported their musical ambitions through struggle after struggle.

Listening to their stories of triumph it's easier to understand and celebrate their success. Bensoul has taken the African music scene by storm with releases such as “Lucy”, “Favourite Song” and collaboration hit “Extravaganza”, gathering over 2,500,000 views and counting. Nviiri’s hit song ‘Pombe Sigara’ went viral with 4.4 million views on YouTube and is regularly referenced in local pop culture.

The Women of Sol Generation

There are none. Aside from the love interests in Sol Family, the lack of women under the Sol Generation label is stark. Granted Crystal Asige was a part of the label for a split second, it was already a frightening imbalanced ratio and we have not seen a new infusion of female musicians to fill the gap.

While I can’t speak to the calibre of female musicians waiting to be discovered (because they haven’t been discovered) I would hope that of all the labels in the country Sol Generation would be the one to find the ones that fit in the bill. So why haven’t they done more to lend their resources to women musicians as well?

And if we are being 100, all the way, they need some women in their writing rooms as well. Because then ‘Suzanna’ would have never happened in Corona’s 2020. But that’s a story for another day. For now, I look forward to watching more earnest revelations and I hope the remaining episodes prove me wrong- maybe the slew of Sol Generation women is just an episode or two away.