UP Music: Sauti Sol’s ‘Live and Die in Afrika’ Poised To Shatter Records
It’s hard to get an album launch right these days. We’ve seen everything from annoying social media campaigns to trailer videos, teasers to flopped album listening parties. However, Sauti Sol’s long-awaited new studio album is out and the much anticipated third album was released in unique style.
Certain sections of the web are in uproar due to the sudden online release but Sauti Sol’s Manager, Marek Fuchs said that the unorthodox launch was done to make the music accessible to fans worldwide.
“This was a first for both Sauti Sol and Safaricom, where an album is made available for free for a limited time. The album release will be followed by a countrywide tour where the band will be able to meet and interact with the fans.”
Asked why the album is important continentally, band member Savara Mudigi noted that “[We] want to show how great Africa is the world.”
Is this album perfect for any Sauti Sol diehard or a new listener to the Band’s evolving sound? This is Sauti Sol’s first self-produced album and they have collaborated with renowned producers Kagwe Mungai, Cedric Kadenyi and Ulopa Bwana Ngoma among others.
In a tweet, keyboard don, Aaron Rimbui noted, “LADIES&GENTS!! Very honored to be featured on @SautiSol’s new record #LiveandDieinAfrika. It’s absolutely fantastic!” the same attraction on Twitter did not miss media personality Larry Madowo and Deejay Joe Mflame. Mflame tweeted, “Can’t wait for @sautisol this Sunday on #cokestudioafrica. #liveanddieinAfrika album nangojea kusample!”
Madowo who was among the first to freely download the album added, “Doing my solemn civic duty downloading that @SautiSol #LiveAndDieInAfrika album while it’s still free #CheaposAreUs.”
Celebrity stylist, Annabel Onyango is responsible for the stunning album art which already had fans talking before the launch. The band had initially teased their fans by posting a series of blurred photos, each less blurred than the last before finally unveiling the official album artwork weeks before the last week album launch. Their traditional styling evoked what it means to be authentically and proudly African.
Stylist Annabel Onyango at the #LiveandDieinAfrika launch party
Sauti Sol die-hard fans and new fans can now toy with the 15-track album that is off the African pot. Peppered with danceable tracks for the club and dance lovers such as mega hits like ‘Shake Yo Bam Bam’ to ballads like Isabella and Sura Yako among others, the album has everything for everyone.
“Live and Die in Afrika is the album title track. The album is a celebration of the African continent coming of age, flaunting the richness in cultural diversity, talent and resources. And now we finally have a generation that fully believes in this continent and her great potential. African diaspora is on a mission to reconnect with their roots, be it through music or other media. There is a willingness to aspire everything and anything African. “In California, they have been dancing to Sura Yako. They sing and dance to the same tune at a wedding in Moshi, Tanzania. There is a willingness to Live and Die in Afrika. These are the united minds of Africa.”
Fans can pre-order on iTunes the album, order a limited cowhide leather casing edition via the band’s official website or order a personalized engraved edition. Physical copies too will be stocked at all Nakumatt stores before the band embarks on the Live and Die in Afrika concert launch tours all over the country.
For Live and Die in Afrika concert launch & tour dates visit the website the hashtag #LiveandDieinAfrika #SolGeneration.
