Happy New Music Friday!
GRAMMY award-winning artist Bien is taking Afrobeats global with the release of the monstrous new single ‘Wahala’featuring the iconic Adekunle Gold and rising star ShineTTW. This electrifying song is the focus track on Bien’s brand new album, Alusa, Why Are You Topless, Deluxe edition and is set to be the summer anthem across all continents.
‘Wahala’ (meaning trouble/drama in Yoruba) is an explosion of sound, fusing a Kenyan-inspired drum pattern with South African lock drum vibes and infectious Nigerian percussion. Produced by the talented Remy Baggins, the song is a celebration of beautiful women, guaranteed to get you moving, with a beat that is addictive, exciting, and dance-driven.
The collaboration of these top African talents has resulted in an ode to the continent, paying homage to sonics heard across Africa. The two kings emphasized how seamless the process went. In the words of Bien, “Any time a King from the East meets a King from the West, it is Wahala”. Adekunle Gold reiterated this adding that, “Making this song with my brother was such an enjoyable process”.
Bien, one-quarter of the globally acclaimed Kenyan Afro-Pop band Sauti Sol (with over 500 million streams), is no stranger to success. ‘Alusa Why Are You Topless?’, his debut solo album, has already become an East African phenomenon, racking up over 70 million streams and dominating charts. This deluxe edition featuring ‘Wahala’ boasts five new tracks, including collaborations with African superstars like Fally Ipupa and Rayvanny.
‘Wahala’ is a celebration of African sounds, and a guaranteed dance floor smasher. Bien is bringing the party to the US and Europe with a tour in July and August. ‘Wahala’ is available on all streaming platforms now.
ABOUT BIEN
Bien-Aime Baraza is the soulful and driving force behind the chart-topping African band, Sauti Sol. Born in Nairobi, Kenya, Bien's musical journey has been nothing short of extraordinary.
In 2005, he joined forces with childhood friends Polycarp Otieno, Willis Chimano, and Savara Mudigi to form Sauti Sol. Together, they embarked on a mission to redefine East African music, fusing various genres to create a unique sound that transcends borders.
Bien is best known for his raspy vocals, his beautiful songwriting, his infectious personality, and his bald head! His first solo EP was entitled ‘Bald Men Love Better’ that birth ‘Mbwe Mbwe’, with YouTube views exceeding 12 million views.
Bien is currently on a solo music career, after 20 years with the band. He is one of East Africa’s biggest artist and the first major international breakout star from East Africa. As a GRAMMY Award-winning songwriter, Bien continues to be a trailblazer, leaving an indelible mark on the global music scene.
ABOUT ADEKUNLE GOLD
Adekunle Almoruf Kosoko, known professionally as Adekunle Gold and AG Baby, is a Nigerian Afrobeats singer and songwriter. He gained widespread attention after releasing the 2015 hit single ‘Sade’, a highlife cover of One Direction's ‘Story of My Life’. He was nominated in the Most Promising Act of the Year category at the 2015 City People Entertainment Awards.
He signed a record deal with Olamide’s YBNL Nation and released his 2016 debut studio album ‘Gold’, which debuted at number 7 on the Billboard World Albums chart. ‘Gold’ was preceded by the release of three singles: ‘Sade’, ‘Orente’ and ‘Pick Up’. In 2018, Unity Bank unveiled Adekunle Gold as their brand ambassador. In 2022 and 2023, he released his fourth and fifth studio album, ‘Catch Me If You Can’ and ‘Tequila Ever After’, respectively.
In March 2023, the CEO of Def Jam Recordings, in a statement with Billboard, announced that Adekunle Gold signed to Def Jam.
