Bien Teases New Collaborative Album “Safari” After US Embassy Visit, Sparks Fan Frenzy Over Mystery Collab

Kenyan music icon Bien-Aimé Baraza, best known for his work as one-quarter of the celebrated afro-pop band Sauti Sol, has teased a new collaborative album titled Safari. The news broke just hours after Bien paid a visit to the United States Embassy in Nairobi, where the current Chargé d’Affaires, Marc Dillard, wished him the best of luck in his upcoming USA tour — a gesture symbolic of the cultural bridge Bien continues to build through music.

Bien’s post on Instagram featured a bold visual of himself alongside a blacked-out silhouette and the teaser text: “BIEN X ??????”, igniting a frenzy among fans and fellow artists alike. The album marks the beginning of a new era under Alusa Continua, his creative vehicle for this deeply personal body of work centered on gratitude, evolution, and purpose.

Bien’s Solo Journey: A Sonic Pilgrimage

Following Sauti Sol’s announcement of a hiatus in 2023, Bien fully embraced his solo career. His first solo project Alusa Why Are You Topless? Was an experimental, sultry, and globally-leaning soundscape that married Kenyan rhythms with alt-R&B, afrobeats, and soul. The album received critical acclaim for pushing boundaries and reintroducing Bien as a fearless and genre-fluid artist.

As part of his solo journey, Bien has also emerged as a leading cultural ambassador for East African music. His collaborations with global stars, including Nigerian heavyweight Ayra Starr and Afrobeat producer Juls, have opened up fresh paths for Kenyan music on the world stage. His emphasis on lyrical storytelling, sultry vocals, and pan-African identity continue to define his impact in promoting East African sound to wider audiences.

From Nairobi to the World: Filling the Indigo O2

In 2023, Bien cemented his place among Africa’s top live performers by headlining and filling up the iconic Indigo O2 Arena in London — a feat previously reserved for afrobeats royalty like Wizkid and Burna Boy. The concert, marked by a spirited celebration of African sound, affirmed Bien’s crossover appeal and showed that East African stars can shine just as brightly on international stages.

His USA tour, now gathering momentum, will be his first long-format tour as a solo artist. With stops expected in cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Atlanta, Bien is taking the intimate, deeply personal experience of Safari to fans across the Atlantic — making good on a promise to carry Kenyan music beyond borders.

The Mysterious Collab: Fans Play Detective

The Safari poster has sparked humorous and intriguing speculation online. While some fans playfully suggested the shadowy figure could be Nyashinski with shaved dreadlocks or even Chris Brown, a cheeky comment by Bensoul referencing the American singer, others think the answer lies closer to the continent.

One notable guess comes from Kisumu-based rapper Gabiro Mtu Necessary, who suggested that the mystery artist could be Ghanaian superstar Mr. Eazi. Unlike the wilder guesses, this one holds real weight. The silhouette bears a strong resemblance to Mr. Eazi, and the match makes sense both artistically and commercially:

Mr. Eazi is a well-established name with a deep catalog of versatile hits. He has decades of industry experience and a strong pan-African following. His involvement would fuse Ghanaian Banku and East African Benga-influenced rhythms in a global-ready package. If this theory proves true, Safari could become one of the most impactful cross-border African collaborations in recent memory.

A Nod from the Embassy: Music Meets Diplomacy

Bien’s recent visit to the US Embassy wasn’t just ceremonial. It’s a full-circle moment for an artist whose band, Sauti Sol, once performed for President Barack Obama during his historic 2015 visit to Kenya. That memory clearly endures, and now, under the tenure of Chargé d’Affaires Marc Dillard, the Embassy is throwing its soft-power weight behind Kenya’s cultural exports.

Dillard, who has previously served in high-level diplomatic postings including Nigeria and Sudan, is known for championing youth-driven initiatives, arts diplomacy, and U.S.–Africa cultural ties. His meeting with Bien signals continued American interest in Kenya’s creative economy and the role music plays in strengthening global partnerships.

The Journey Begins

With Safari, Bien isn’t just releasing an album — he’s inviting us into a new phase of his life. A phase defined by introspection, artistic expansion, and global ambition. Whether the mystery collaborator turns out to be Mr. Eazi or another surprise guest, one thing is clear: Bien is on a mission to take East African music further than it’s ever gone before — and he’s doing it on his own terms.

Karibu Safari.

Written by Otieno Arudo