When we look at Sauti Sol’s recent announcement that they will be taking a break from group projects, in retrospect, it seems they are just following through with what other Kenyan bands have always done and over time become the norm, only with a formal announcement.
Camp Mulla, The Kansoul, and P-Unit set the pace as Kenyan bands that were on a roll and just left their fans high and dry.
The five-member hip-hop band rose to the limelight with their hit song ‘Party Don’t Stop’ and were on an exhilarating journey to stardom. They have been recognized as the band that shaped the Kenyan hip-hop scene and set the pace for other hip-hop artists.
Their only album, Funky Town, released in 2012, earned them several accolades and even earned them a nomination to the BET Awards in the same year. Camp Mulla announced their breakup in 2013, breaking the hearts of hip-hop fans in Kenya and beyond. They teased a reunion and a new album in 2017 when they came back together to perform at a show at the Ngong’ Racecourse. Since their breakup, the band’s only female act, Karun, is the most heard of the five.
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Karun has released several solo projects, even collaborating with other Kenyan artists. Her background in music, unique voice, and dynamic vocal range have made her a female powerhouse in the Kenyan music industry.
- The Kansoul
The Kansoul is a group composed of Mejja, Madtraxx, and Kid Kora. The group had curved a niche in the industry as a genge sound. They are known for their hit songs Moto wa kuotea mbali, Nyongwa, and No woman no party among others. The three-member group was on a meteoric trajectory before they suddenly broke up and left fans longing for more.
In 2021, Kid Kora came out to say that he left the group because Mejja and Madtraxx were denying him an equal right to the royalties from their music. The revelation exposed a rift within the once-united trio and shed light on the behind-the-scenes struggles that can often accompany fame and success.
After the breakup, Mejja seems to have become the ‘Beyonce’ of the group as he has established himself as a solo act in the music industry, going on to collaborate with other Kenyan artists on notable music projects. Famously known for carrying a tumbler in his music videos, the musician has been recognized for his relentless commitment to his craft.
Despite the differences in the group, fans still hope that the Kansoul will reunite with time and rekindle the magic that made them a beloved force in the music industry.
- P-Unit
Composed of Frasha, Gabu, and Bon-Eye, the group has made a significant impact in the Kenyan music industry. In 2013, they were named top in the list of top earners by the Music Copyright Society of Kenya (MCSK). Their hit song, You Guy, released in 2012, has been acknowledged for socialite Vera Sidika’s rise to fame.
Before deciding to part ways in 2015, they gave Kenyans a number of hits. Members of P-Unit had made the decision to seek independent professions after playing the game for 14 years.
After the break, they have been coming together to create music from time to time but the vibe has never been the same since they announced their break. Recently, Frasha announced that he was retiring from music after 23 years in the industry dashing the hopes of any fans who hoped for a reunion.
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Although the breakup of these music groups definitely devastated the fans, it has also given the individual members of the bands the chance to develop their artistic skills on their own. Fans, on the other hand, continue to hold out hope that their favourite bands will get back together and rekindle the musical fervour that previously captivated them.
Even if these expectations are not realized, the legacy of these bands and the influence they had on the Kenyan music scene will live on in memory.
