Is it a hiatus or a split?

It has been a journey of more than ten years—17 to be exact—and Sauti Sol has dominated the airwaves with their band music for quite some time. But, as they say, even good things must come to an end. The final show follows their announcement to go their separate ways.

Sauti Sol has been an incredible journey for us, both as musicians and friends. We are filled with gratitude for the love and support we have received throughout the years. While we take this hiatus to pursue our individual and collective passions, we remain committed to our friendship and our shared businesses. The bond between us is unbreakable, and we are excited for what the future holds,” the statement read in part.

The four-man band, namely Bien Baraza, Polycarp Otieno, Savara Mudigi, and Austin Chimano, held their last show in a two-year event they had dubbed Sol Fest. It was a joy-filled moment, and they treated their fans to a three-hour show, serenading them with a mix of songs, including guest appearances from artists such as Khaligraph Jones, Nyashisnky, P. Unit, and others.

Approximately 15,000 people witnessed the farewell performance of the music maestros. It is said that they are going their separate ways, though they refer to it as a music hiatus. The event concluded on an emotional note as they embraced each other. Bien, the lead vocalist, couldn't hold back his tears as he hugged each of his colleagues.

On a positive note, they are departing with some earnings from the two-day event. As you may know, before the final show, each of them had already embarked on solo careers. Bien is set to release his solo project named 'Alusa, Why Are You Topless?'

From the looks of it, it appears that finding a boy band or duo that stands the test of time is increasingly rare. In Uganda, Radio and Weasel stayed together for 10 years before rumors of their split began, unfortunately ending with Radio's passing. It may be that they were one of the few serving duos. In Nigeria, P-Square initially split up, but they have since reunited.

P-square

The late Moze Radio with Weasel.

As it stands, P-Square seems to be the only surviving and successful group still reigning in Africa. Sauti Sol will undoubtedly be missed. We can only hope that this is indeed just a hiatus and not a permanent split.