Kenya's iconic boy band Sauti Sol brought an era of music to a close with their final show in December 2023, announcing an indefinite hiatus for the members to pursue solo careers.

While Bien-Aimé Baraza has quickly become a global Afropop powerhouse, his former bandmate Willis Chimano has taken a more introspective path, a journey that recently led to a surprising public plea for connection.

"Bien, Call Me": A Plea from a Former Bandmate

In a recent interview with Okay Africa, Chimano revealed that he has been unable to reach Bien, despite making several attempts.

"Bien, call me... I thought we were brothers," Chimano pleaded, sparking a mixed reaction from fans online.

The heartfelt message prompted a flurry of comments, with some questioning the distance between the two, while others dismissed it as light-hearted banter.

The public exchange has highlighted the different priorities and personal challenges the former bandmates are navigating since the group's split.

Two Very Different Solo Journeys

Since the hiatus, both artists have charted wildly different courses, demonstrating the diverse creative visions that coexisted within Sauti Sol.

READ MORE: Love of My Life: Chimano's Birthday Tribute to Bien

Bien: The Global Afropop Powerhouse

Bien wasted no time in launching his solo career with the 2023 album Alusa, Why Are You Topless?. The record, which featured continental stars like Ayra Starr, Adekunle Gold, and Fally Ipupa, earned a nomination at the 2024 South African Music Awards and won him Best Artist – East Africa at the 2025 Trace Awards.

Guided by his wife and manager, Chiki Kuruka, Bien has headlined European tours, consistently topped streaming charts, and appeared on major global platforms.

His clear mission is to push East African music onto the world stage, blending Afrobeats, R&B, and rhumba

He remains active in various business ventures, including Sol Generation Records, Hustle Sasa, and The Manhattan Ke Bar & Grill, underscoring his broad entrepreneurial ambitions.

Chimano: The Reflective, Theatrical Path

Chimano, in contrast, has stepped back from the mainstream spotlight. His earlier 2022 EP Heavy Is the Crown was a deeply personal project that explored themes of identity, resilience, and queerness.

He has since transformed this music into a one-man international stage show of the same name.

The production, which blends narrative, theatre, and song, shares his story as a queer artist and former boy-band member, with tours in Adelaide and London.

Chimano has described this period as one of introspection and rejuvenation, prioritising authenticity and emotional healing over commercial dominance.

Are They on Good Terms?

Despite Chimano's public message, the story notes that Bien has previously stated he regularly sees his former bandmates for dinners and rehearsals.

This suggests that while their career paths and public personas have diverged, there may be no personal animosity between the two.