Alusa Continua translates as the story continues, and the title fits the partnership behind it. Safaricom has followed Bien-Aimé Alusa Baraza, popularly known as Bien, solo career, and the album experience on Saturday 7 November 2026 marked the latest step in that relationship.
The evening brought together fans, friends and partners of the singer-songwriter for a preview of his second solo studio album. The album releases worldwide on 20 November 2026.
A barbershop, a tea stall and a brand booth
The Safaricom Bald Man Swagger barbershop drew guests who wanted a fresh cut before the show. Those who skipped the chair collected tea at the Bien Shop. Fans moved between both stops before the music began.
Safaricom also ran an Emerald booth for its high value customers. Customers tried the Emerald proposition in a setting built around the album. The company paired its customer offer with an artist it has backed for years.
Bien on what Safaricom support means
Bien described the relationship as part of his growth as an artist.
“Safaricom have walked with me through my musical journey, and I do not take it for granted. They have been part of my growth as an artist, and it is incredible to have partners who believe in what you are building,” he said.
He tied that support to the wider industry.
“Safaricom continues to create opportunities for Kenyan music and the creative industry and that is the kind of support we need as artists,” Bien said.
Safaricom’s case for backing the arts
Safaricom Chief Consumer Business Officer Fawzia Ali spoke at the event. She said the company’s support for the arts comes from its purpose of Transforming Lives, and that music gives people a way to connect and find opportunities.
“Music is one of the things that brings Kenyans together. When we support artists like Bien, we’re not just supporting a performance or an event; we’re supporting creativity, talent and the possibilities that come when artists have the right partners behind them,” Fawzia said.
How Safaricom built its music record
The Bien partnership sits on top of a record that runs through royalties, platforms, sponsorships and training.
Royalties through Skiza. In August 2015, Safaricom signed an agreement with three collective management organisations: the Music Copyright Society of Kenya, the Kenya Association of Music Producers and the Performers Rights Society of Kenya.
The deal set payment routes for artists whose songs sell on its Skiza Tunes platform. Safaricom later released Sh152 million to those bodies and to content providers for onward payment. The platform then carried more than 5,000 artists and 11,000 registered songs.
In June 2017, Safaricom lifted the artist share of Skiza earnings from 22 percent to 30 percent, a 36 percent rise in what artists receive per song. Then CEO Bob Collymore said the aim was “to ensure that Kenyan artistes earn from their creativity.”
In August 2021, Safaricom raised the revenue share again by 33 percent, which benefited more than 20,000 artists and content creators.
Brand ambassadors and anniversary shows. In 2018, Safaricom named Genge pioneer Nonini as a creative brand ambassador. Khusoko reported that he would represent the brand among musicians and push for artists’ rights as a director of the Performers Rights Society of Kenya.
For its 20th anniversary, Safaricom staged Safari Ya Wasanii, a show featuring Khaligraph Jones, Mercy Masika, Juacali, Juliani, Redsan and others. Then Chief Customer Officer Sylvia Mulinge said the artists had helped the company talk to its customers through music.
Training and live music. The Safaricom Youth Orchestra gave young players music lessons over 4G-enabled handsets during the Covid-19 period.
Music Assistant Levi Wataka told Khusoko the players share stages with international acts at the Safaricom Jazz Festival. In February 2024, Safaricom committed Kes 2 million to the Bob Collymore International Jazz Festival at the Carnivore Grounds. The Bob Collymore Foundation ran the festival, which funds music careers for young people from low income homes.
Streaming and subscriptions. Safaricom added music to its Baze platform with Baze Music, an ad free service from Kes 10 a day. Chief Executive Peter Ndegwa told artists to use it as a second route to income beside Skiza.
In December 2023, Safaricom and Mdundo launched a DJ mix subscription at Ksh 5 a day. Fawzia Ali said the aim was to give Kenyans “freedom, choice, and control” over what they consume. Mdundo chief executive Martin Neilsen said the plan gives artists a steady income so they can focus on making music.
Inside Alusa Continua
Bien-Aimé Baraza released his first solo album, Alusa Why Are You Topless?, on 17 November 2023, after years as a member of Sauti Sol. Alusa Continua is his second. The title plays on his middle name and the slogan A luta continua, Portuguese for the struggle continues.
The 17 tracks arrive through Courtesy Of, LLC and Quality Control Music. Bien travelled across Kenyan communities during the writing, taking in local food, culture and heritage. Three singles are out: “All My Enemies Are Suffering,” “Finale” with Alikiba, and “I’ll Be Okay.”
“Finale” came out on 28 March 2026. ONErpm says it passed 11.5 million YouTube views by 8 April.
Tracklist
- Alusa Continua
- All My Enemies Are Suffering
- Signs (feat. 2 Chainz and Pape Gen Z)
- Omoka
- Kaumbete (feat. Coster Ojwang)
- Don’t Go (feat. Joshua Baraka and The Composers)
- Run Like Water
- How Can I Forget (feat. Oxlade and Øntiri)
- XOXO (feat. Ywaya Tajiri)
- P.O. Box Kakamega (feat. Bryce One)
- I’ll Be Okay
- Blessed
- Mueni (feat. KayCyy)
- Mayolo (feat. Femi One and Papaa Maasai)
- Finale (feat. Alikiba)
- Success (feat. Tulwap Kipsigis and Nono Melodies)
- Ah
