Benson Mutua (born March 4, 1996), professionally known as Bensoul, is a Kenyan singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. He achieved mainstream success in 2019 following being the first signee of Sol Generation Records by Sautisol and releasing his single Lucy. His five-year deal ended in 2023 and he left the label to start his own record label, Lion of Sudah.[1]
Bensoul | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Benson Mutua |
| Born | 1996|03|04 Embu, Kenya |
| Genres | Afrosoul |
| Labels | Lion of Sudah |
| Formerly of | Sol Generation Records |
Early life
editBensoul was born and raised in Dallas, a slum in Embu, Kenya. His father was a musician who played bass and electric guitar and therefore influenced Bensoul's interest in music.[2] Bensoul attended the Technical University of Kenya to study civil engineering, but dropped out in his third year to pursue music.[3]
Career
edit2016-2019: Career beginnings
editBensoul started playing bass guitar for the Kenyan band, Hart The Band.[4] In 2016, Bensoul released Masheesha, a collaboration with Kenyan band H_art The Band.[5]
Bensoul also wrote several songs for different musicians. He co-wrote Uliza Kiatu and wrote El Shaddai for Hart the Band.[6] He also wrote songs for artists including Telenovela by Kidum and has written for Alikiba, Ben Pol, Nyashinski, Sautisol and Mercy Masika.[7] Later in his career, he co-wrote Time Flies, for Burna Boy's African Giant album which won a Grammy award.[8]
In 2019, Bensoul became the first signed of Sol Generation, a record label by Sauti Sol[9]
2019 to present
editIn 2019, Bensoul released his first song under Sol Generation, Lucy. The song is a blend of rock and dancehall and uses Swahili, English and Sheng lyrics.[9][10] In this same year, he released, Favorite, which is a love song.[11] In 2020, he released Qwarantunes EP included four songs; Forget You, No Kisses, Salama and Peddi.
In the 2021, he released the song, Nairobi, which featured Kenyan musicians Mejja and Nviiri The Storyteller. The song talks about the dating scene in Nairobi and explains that people unknowingly share partners.[12] In 2021, Bensoul released the Medicine EP, which had four tracks; Medicine, Stereo, Ntala Nawe and Sugar Rush. The EP had classical Kenyan pop music, with a 'soulful feel'.[13] The songs revolved around the theme of love.[14]
In 2023 Bensoul released his debut album, Lion of Sudah and his last work under Sol Generation. The album was released on the 20th of April, as a tribute to cannabis and called for its legalization in Kenya. Songs like Karibuni Kwa Mida ya 420, Legalisation and Navutishwa which featured Bien, focused on Cannabis.[15] The album had versatile sounds and features.[16]
In 2023, he announced that he was leaving Sol Generation, following the end of his five-year contract. He announced the development of his record label, Lion of Sudah.
Discography
editStudio albums
editThe Lion of Sudah (2023)
Eps
editQwarantunes (2020)
Medicine (2021)
Awards and nominations
edit| Awards | Year | Recipient(s) and
Nominee(s) |
Category | Result | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Café Ngoma | 2017 | Bensoul | Soulful artist of the year | Nominated | |
| Café Ngoma | 2018 | Bensoul | Artist of the Year | Nominated | [17] |
| Pulse Music and Video Awards | 2021 | Nairobi-Bensoul ft Nviiri The Story Teller, Mejia, Sauti Sol | Best Collaboration of the year | Nominated | [18] |
| Nakufa- Okello Max ft Bensoul, Amlyoto | Best Collaboration of the year | Won | |||
| AFRIMAs | 2021 | Bensoul | Best Male Artist in East Africa | Nominated | [19] |
References
edit- ^ Robi, Amos. "Bensoul reveals next move after he exits Sol Generation". Pulse. Pulse. Retrieved 11 June 2024.
- ^ Anyango, Diana. "Bensoul opens up on musical journey, being raised by single mom". The Standard. The Standard. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
- ^ Milimo, Dennis. "I dropped my civil engineering course to pursue music – Bensoul reveals". KISSFM. KISSFM. Retrieved 11 June 2024.
- ^ Joshua, Lydia M. "How Battle with Illness Inspired Bensoul to Write H_art the Band's 'El Shaddai' Hit Song". Mundo.com. Mdundo. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
- ^ Arunga, Abigail. "MUSIC REVIEW: 'Masheesha' by H_Art the Band featuring Bensoul". NATION. NATION. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
- ^ Wafula, Mututa. ""Bensoul is going to be the biggest African Artist" – Bien-Aime Gives His Blessing". Boomplay. Boomplay. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
- ^ Ruguru, Joy. "How Bensoul Rose To The Top With His First Single 'LUCY'". TANGAZA. TANGAZA. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
- ^ Njeri. "MUSICBien, Bensoul Named Grammy Award-Winning Songwriters". KENYANVIBE. KENYANVIBE. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
- ^ a b Ngigi, Elizabeth. "Sauti Sol unveil new signee". The Star. The Star. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
- ^ Storm, Camille. "The 20 Best East African Songs of 2019". okayafrica. okayafrica. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
- ^ Kamau, Richard. "Bensoul's Second Single is a Sweet Love Jingle 'Favorite Song' – Watch". NAIROBI WIRE. NAIROBI WIRE. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
- ^ Ali, Zaitun. "Is Nairobi ready for Bensoul's 'Nairobi'?". NATION. NATION. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
- ^ Lauryn. "Bensoul Releases New EP 'Medicine'". NOTJUSTOK. NOTJUSTOK. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
- ^ Opondo, Agnes. "Bensoul's New EP 'Medicine' Is Pure Soulful Vibes". KENYANVIBE. KENYANVIBE. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
- ^ Njugi, Frank. "Album Review: The Lion Of Sudah". WAKILISHA. WAKILISHA. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
- ^ Daraloye, Emmanuel. "Kenyan Star, Bensoul, Lights up His Own Lane with "The Lion of Sudah" Album". afrocritik. afrocritik. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
- ^ Ilado, Lucy. "Café Ngoma Awards Kenya: All the winners". Music in Africa. Music in Africa. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
- ^ Opondo, Agnes. "Pulse Music Video Awards 2021: Full List Of Winners". KENYANVIBE. KENYANVIBE. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|rowspan=ignored (help) - ^ Hansen, Gabriel Myers. "All Africa Music Awards 2021: All the nominees". Music in Africa. Music in Africa. Retrieved 18 June 2024.