Tag: Bensoul News

Meet Noni Gathoni, Bensoul’s gorgeous girlfriend (Photos)

Posted on by Gloria Katunge

Bensoul, the first artist to be signed into Sauti Sol’s Sol Generation record label, hardly talks about his love life, until recently when he decided to show off his girlfriend to fans.

Born Benson Mutua Muia, known for his unique music style, took us down memory lane on how they first met and how it has been over the years for them.

Also read: Bensoul narrates how he nearly died after HIV scare (Video)

During his recent meet-up with the Sauti Sol boys and Nviiri, Bensoul took advantage of the opportunity to arrive early to the event just to spend more time with his girl before they get into serious business.

Bensoul introduces his dearly beloved

Super excited about the meet up, the artist got to the venue ahead of time and waited for his light-skin babe who did not disappoint.

Talented Singer-Songwriter Bensoul

Telling their story, a dear Noni revealed they were actually celebrating their first anniversary together before telling of how they met.

“We first met on social media, basic chats, nothing serious. Until this one evening when we crossed paths at an entertainment event,” recalled Noni.

She was attending an evening birthday party of one of her girlfriends while Bensoul was there to catch up with his male friends.

Bensoul with Nviiri the storyteller

Remember, these two had never met physically, so they literally bumped into each other at the night event and Noni realized that this is the guy she has been chatting with online.

“So I approached him and tapped him from his back then we chatted endlessly, had a good night and exchanged numbers,” she continued.

Funny enough, Bensoul never hit her up until like a week later to ask her whether she got home safely and all.

Bensoul with sassy girlfriend Noni Gathoni

“We kept meeting up and the chemistry slowly started building and we moved to the next level,” sweetly recalled Noni Gathoni.

A beauty and brains, having recently attained her degree and for Bensoul, he lives to celebrate a real one – His Love.

Check out the pretty babe the celebrity artist has bagged:

Bensoul’s girlfriend Noni Gathoni
Noni Gathoni
Bensoul’s girlfriend Noni Gathoni
Noni Gathoni
Bensoul’s girlfriend Noni Gathoni
Noni Gathoni
Beauty and brains Noni Gathoni

Have a listen to the interview:

Bensoul narrates how he nearly died after HIV scare (Video)

Posted on by Gloria Katunge

Sol Generation’s exceptional songwriter, Bensoul, had a tough childhood, forced to grow up under the care of a single mother, abandoned by the father to her kids.

Also read: “I never felt like I belonged,” Sauti Sol’s Chimano opens up on being a socially awkward child (Video)

Dallas, Embu is a slum area the talented multi-instrumentalist called a home for a better part of his younger years. A small mud house where he and his older sister of 13-years age difference were born and bred. With only one parent to call a mother after his dad demanded that they either convert to Islam or they forget that he ever existed.

Bensoul’s mother speaks of their humble beginnings

His mom took up the second option and since then, life was never the same.

Music break

Bensoul started showing keen interest in music at the tender age of 3. He studied until campus enrolled into a Bachelors in Civil Engineering before dropping out in his final year to pursue his passion in music.

Benson Mutua Muia, famously known as Bensoul discovered his gift in music from a young age

At first, his decision cost him big time before his gradual break in the music industry, introduced him to H_rt the Band, forcing the boys to move to Kayole together but life was not any better.

When he wrote El Shaddai, in Rongai, things took a nose dive. Bensoul persistently coughed all month, lost tremendous amount of weight, leaving him looking all-bony.

“I think that was one of my lowest moments. We told him to come and stay with mum. He could not sit on a chair without a sponge because the bones were very weak,” his sister Lucy painfully recalled.

Bensoul’s sister tells of a horrifying experience

His mom immediately broke to tears after spotting her skinny son.

I did not see a body, I saw bones. I was like a mad woman. So I left him in the house and went to look for a doctor.

According to Bensoul, he might have been infected with the deadly HIV/AIDS.

I had all the signs (of HIV) and at times I would feel like life was coming to an end. I nearly gave up on music because if I couldn’t sing, and I couldn’t explain what I have written, then there was no point in doing music.

Bensoul

He got tested and fortunately turned HIV negative. But there was an underlying issue that almost cost him his life.

They discovered it was tuberculosis. Everyday I ate a portion for 5 people.

Away from that, according to Bien, Bensoul is pretty talented and his exceptional gift will see him cross boundaries.

Bensoul treats fans to ‘Sweet Sensi’ alongside Nairobi Horns Project (Video)

Posted on by David Kingsley

Talented singer Benson Mutua, better known as Bensoul and famed for mega hits such as; Lucy, Favorite Song, Ile Kitu, just to name a few has dropped a new track alongside the Nairobi Horns Project.

Also read: Believe it or not, Sauti Sol is saving the Kenyan music industry

The jam dubbed Sweet Sensi, has been getting a lot of airplay since it was released a few days ago and to be honest, we are also feeling it.

Bensoul

Interestingly, the first time I heard Sweet Sensi, which talks about the culture of smoking marijuana, I did not really like it but with time, it grew on me and now I can’t get enough of it.

It’s such a beautiful composition. Think of it like Zzero Sufuri’s Zimenishika with some uptown vibe and a little bit of oomph (I didn’t even Google what this word means but it seemed like a good fit).

If you’re a huge fan of Bensoul –like myself – then this is definitely a treat especially if you are a stoner because to be honest that is what this jam is mostly about  – celebrating the culture of smoking weed.

Bensoul has an amazing voice and most times I feel that he should even be doing acappella because he doesn’t really need instruments.

Bensoul pours out his heart in latest single 'No Kisses'
Bensoul

As he sings, you feel like he is right in front of you because it is so lively. To add to that, the musician who is signed to Sol Generations, has a wide vocal range.

The fact that he featured Nairobi Horns project on this jam made it even better because they really spiced it up with their instruments. I don’t know if there is anyone in this country who can handle an instrument better than them.

There is not much to say about the video really because it is made up of clips from different events. Anyway, although the concept is simple, I love the fact that it is not dull.

Watch Sweet Sensi below and tell us what you think.

Bensoul pours out his heart in latest single ‘No Kisses’ (Video)

Posted on by David Kingsley

Talented singer Benson Mutua, better known as Bensoul and famed for mega hits such as; Lucy, Favorite Song, Ile Kitu, just to name a few is back with another classic love ballad.

Also read: Believe it or not, Sauti Sol is saving the Kenyan music industry

The track titled No Kisses has been ruling the airwaves since it was released a few days ago and to be honest, we are also feeling it.

Bensoul

If you are a huge fan of Bensoul – like myself – then this is definitely a treat especially if you are the lovey dovey type or just emotional.

No Kisses tells the story of two lovers who are no longer seeing eye to eye because of one reason or the other and that means that they can’t kiss or hug. As such, the guy is forced to learn to love her from apart.

I don’t know about you but this song is well-arranged and I just can’t get enough of it. It’s those songs that you want to listen to over and over because it sounds so pleasant to the ears.

Bensoul
Bensoul

Bensoul has an amazing voice and most times I feel that he should even be doing acappella because he doesn’t really need instruments.

As he sings, you feel like he is right in front of you because it is so lively. To add to that, the musician who is signed to Sol Generations, has a wide vocal range.

The instrumentation on No Kisses is really dope and I’m not even surprised that Bensoul was playing the piano since we all know that he is an all round artist.

There is not much to say about the video really because it is just a shot of Bensoul laying the piano. Anyway, although the concept is simple, I love the fact that it is not dull.

Watch No Kisses below and tell us what you think.

H_art The Band latest release with Bensoul titled ‘Lover Lover’ is too awesome (Audio)

Posted on by David Kingsley

H_art The Band, a music group that became a household name after releasing Uliza Kiatu circa 2014, has dropped a new song with Bensoul and we really love it.

Also read: H_art The Band makes good music but no one cares

The song titled Lover Lover, which is from their debut album Made In The Streets, is one song that will make you hit the replay button a couple of times.

As the title suggests, this song is about a feeling of strong or constant affection for a person. More often than not, you don’t have have to say it because they can feel it.

H_art The Band
H_art The Band

If you are a fan of both Bensoul and H_art The Band then I am sure you’ve been looking forward to the day they treat us with a collabo. Well, that day is finally here.

The word that aptly describes this song is magical. This song is really a vibe. I played it a couple of times and I’m still in love with it.

H_art The Band members namely; Mordecai Kimeu, Kenneth Muya and Wachira Gatama came through on this jam. To be honest, I wasn’t expecting anything less from them.

However, I must say that of the trio, I think Mordecai totally killed it. There is just something unique about his tenor that makes it awesome to listen to.

Bensoul
Bensoul

Bensoul also nailed it. From the way he sings in this jam, anyone can easily tell that this jam has a deeper meaning to him, maybe just maybe, he had a particular person in mind when he was penning his verse. Sorry ladies.

The beat and instrumetalization for this jam is also dope. Although this is not the kind of jams that you would expect people to dance to, I would not be surprised if I saw someone busting a move to it. Props to the producer.

I honestly can’t wait to listen to and review more songs from Hart The Band’s debut album because from the look of things, it’s totally out of this world.

Listen to Lover Lover below and tell us what you think.

Sauti Sol has to put up a strong fight to save Kenyan music

Posted on by David Kingsley

Don’t get me wrong, I have no problem with the kind of music that is popular in Kenya at the moment, in as much as it’s vulgar, I still find it enjoyable.

Also read: Believe it or not, Sauti Sol is saving the Kenyan music industry

However, we have laud the likes of Sauti Sol for trying to model the next generation of musicians and showing them that they don’t have to be risqué to make hits.

New musicians and groups are emerging everyday and most of them seem to be taking the same direction with their music.

Ethic led the way when they released Lamba Lolo in 2018 and because it became a big hit, everyone thinks that is the way to go.

Ethic Figa
Ethic

Sometimes I miss sane, responsible and mature music, the kind that you can listen to even when an elder person is in the room.

However, if you are keen, I’m sure notice that that kind of music is becoming less each day.

Almost every musician, even the established ones, are going route of Ethic because it is what is popular in Kenya at the moment.

People like Sauti Sol are showing us that it does not have to be like that, that you don’t have to be dirty to make a hit.

However, it seems to be a difficult task since the whole country has made vulgar music acceptable.

The boy-band will have to put a strong fight if they want to save Kenyan music because this wave is sweeping over so fast.

Watch Sauti Sol’s jam with Bensoul, Nviiri The Storyteller, Crystal Asige and Kaskazini below.

Believe it or not, Sauti Sol is saving the Kenyan music industry

Posted on by David Kingsley

I’ve listened to Sauti Sol’s new jam Extravaganza a couple of times since it was released. I kept hitting the replay button because the song sounds great. I really love it!

Sauti Sol
Sauti Sol

Each time I listened to the song I kept thinking how different it is from what the vulgar music that we have gotten used to in the last 1 year (or so).

The new song by Sauti Sol, Bensoul, Nviiri The Storyteller, Crystal Asige and Kaskazini is about a party  but it was executed so beautifully.

The other thing that I loved about Extravaganza is the fact the different singers didn’t have to throw in dirty words like lamba lolo, geuka nikubeng and what have you to make the song enjoyable.

Also read: New age musicians are destroying the Kenyan sound

I honestly miss kind of of music. It’s music that is sane, responsible and mature. People are just singing about ordinary things and it sounds so good to the ears.

As I listened to the song I a realized that Sauti Sol is trying to salvage the local music industry. Hope is not lost ladies and gentlemen!

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bx6rjqmhsFU/

The band has signed up a couple of singers to their label – Sol Generation Records – and they are trying to show them that you don’t have to be vulgar to get people’s attention.

I have immense respect for Sauti Sol because they have taken it upon themselves to mentor the likes of Bensoul, Nviiri The Storyteller, Crystal Asige and Kaskazini.

We are at a time when vulgar music has become the order of the day so that some artists thought it was okay to release a song and make fun of a university student who was hacked to death.

Sauti Sol could not sit back and watch these as the so called ‘new-age musicians’ ruined the industry so they act! Props to them!

Watch Sauti Sol’s new jam with Bensoul, Nviiri The Storyteller, Crystal Asige and Kaskazini below.

Bensoul is talented, Sauti Sol shouldn’t force him down people’s throats

Posted on by David Kingsley

Singer and songwriter Benson Mutua, alias Bensoul, is indeed gifted. Actually, some music fans claim that he’s one of the best, if not the best, male vocalists in Kenya – a sentiment that I have no qualms with.

A few days ago, Bensoul re-affirmed this notion when he released his second project under Sol Generation Records dubbed Favorite Song. If you listen to the song, you can tell that a lot of thought went into putting it together. It’s a masterpiece.

His first single under the stable titled Lucy was also a work of art. Bensoul spends so much time honing his songwriting and performance skills. Perhaps this would explain why his songs are doing well.

But then again you could argue that Bensoul has Sauti Sol to thank for his newfound success seeing as they have been promoting his music heavily across their social media pages that have millions of followers.

Sauti Sol with Bensoul on Chipukeezy Show

What you may not know is that Bensoul has been doing music for quite some time. He had a name and a fanbase even before he was ‘discovered’ by Sauti Sol. He was not doing that well but he had made some steps, including recording a big hit with H_art The Band dubbed Masheesha.

To a large extent, I feel that Sauti Sol has been shoving Bensoul down people’s throats which should not be case because he is really good at what he does.

You know the Swahili proverb that says “Chema chajiuza kibaya chajitembeza“? I feel like Bensoul should just be allowed to flourish on his own. He should face challenges like any other upcoming artist so that he can really appreciate success when he gets there.

The thing about talent is that it might take time before someone recognizes it but it will be appreciated eventually. It also needs to be appreciated naturally. I’ll listen to Bensoul’s music because I feel it’s good and not because Sauti Sol keep hyping him on their pages.

In as much as Bensoul is Sol Generation Records’ first signing, I feel that the brands should be allowed to maintain their unique identities. Sauti Sol can support him but from a distance. For instance, why do they need to accompany him to every single interview?

I want to see Bensoul and think of Bensoul. I don’t want to see him and start asking myself whether he is the 5th member of Sauti Sol. There needs to be a clear distinction.

Bensoul’s latest single ‘Favorite Song’ is definitely one for the books (Video)

Posted on by David Kingsley

Kenyan singer and songwriter Benson Mutua, alias Bensoul, is back at it again with another soulful song and we’ve got nothing but love.

He captured the attention of music lovers when he released his first song under Sol Generation Records dubbed Lucy. We knew right there and then that he’s one artist that we should keep an eye out for and we were right.

Six weeks down the line, Bensoul is back with another soulful song that many of us, including yours truly, can’t get enough of not for any other reason but because it speaks directly to the heart.

Titled Favorite Song, the new tune brings to life a moment of in a lover’s life that is filled with happiness, gratitude, adoration and all the good stuff.

What struck me most about this song is the instrumentalization. It’s totally out of this world and I’m not exaggerating. If you listen keenly, you’ll hear beautiful guitar strings of in the background.

Bensoul Favorite Song
Bensoul

The song has simple lyrics which are easy to remember. Actually, if you listen to Favorite Song thrice you will have mastered the whole song. I’m not even kidding.

The chorus goes like, “Darling darling I will sing your favourite song because I’m feeling lucky to have you dance along..to your favourite song.”

The video which was directed by KG Brian and Rodney Wachira is very vivid. It paints a real picture in your mind so much so that if you are the lovey dovey type, you’ll find yourself missing a specific person.

If you ask me, I think this song will be much bigger Lucy. I can’t help but imagine what Bensoul’s subsequent releases under the stable will be like. We are here for the ride.

Watch Favorite Song below and tell us what you think.