When you are a year shy of the third floor and still look dapper than most, you best make your birthday a big deal.
Bien-Aimé Baraza of Sauti Sol turned 29 and chose to celebrate it in a big way, throwing a themed party dubbed StraightOuttaRongai last Sunday at Osoita Lodge in Rongai.
The theme was a tribute to his roots and taking the party back to where it all started.
January being the long quiet month that it is, you would be surprised how many people would not pass up the opportunity for a well –organized invite-only birthday party in partnership with Chrome Vodka.
Also, he gave a chance to his fans from Rongai to join him through a two–week challenge on social media that would see them picked randomly to attend the long awaited event.
Family is everything to Bien as he has frequently gushed about his folks, siblings and friends who supported his music career and he does share a lot about both his immediate and extended family, which was present at the venue.
A good number of other Kenyan celebrities made an appearance to celebrate with him were Dela, Kalekye, Biko Adema, stylists, designers and other friends of Sauti Sol.
The event was highlighted by noteworthy performances clearly it is hard to separate him from his love of music and support of local music.
The entertainment was kicked off by Ndegz of the Kuruka fame, followed by 125, an upcoming group named after the Rongai matatu route.
Big Pin took it back to the old school with his performance that had most nostalgic as well as Talia and Habib who teamed up and performed the late E-Sir’s Hamnitishi to which most sang along.
Nyashinski has definitely held it down after his comeback. Being a close friend to the group, he took the stage and performed both his recent hits and later the ones from the former group Kleptomaniax.
He was joined on stage by Bien as they sang the intro to Mungu Pekee with Polycarp of Sauti Sol on the keys.
The birthday boy later requested Nameless to specifically perform Salari because his parents are huge fans.
In fact Bien’s mother came on stage and danced to the track as his father chose to stay behind and enjoy from his seat.
To crown the party, Chiki, with assistance from Talia, had a surprise performance for Bien. They brought Nefa, an artiste who had collaborated with Bien long before he joined Sauti Sol.
It was a very emotional and exciting time for him when he came onto the stage to perform the first ever recorded song complete with a video.
“That was the best surprise gift I got on Sunday, shout out to my princess Chiki and Talia for making sure the first guy who ever gave me a chance to record with him was present at my birthday party.
His name is NEFA and we bought the track from Madtraxx’” Bien recalled.
“The video to the song Pesa cost us Sh10,000 back then.
Thank you Nefa, I never take for granted anyone who helped or shaped my music career going up the ladder.
May God keep rewarding your kindness and opening more doors for you,” he added.
Despite the song being unknown to the guests, they were caught by its catchy beat and sang along to it.
From the video, Bien’s vocal ability and composition of his lines is unwavering and assured. Nefa continues to be an independent rapper, his recent song is Team Mafisi.
The birthday boy also recognized his old friends present at the venue and gave a vote of thanks to all saying,
“Thank you all for coming today. Everyone who is here is important to my life in one way or another, you are my support system.
I love you all,” he noted, specifically thanked his long-time girlfriend Chiki for being thoughtful and personalizing the event.
