Bien also known as Man A BaldMan, whose real name is Bien-Aime Alusa Baraza is a Kenyan singer, Grammy award-winning songwriter, Vocalist, Entertainer and Performing Artist from Kenya. He is a member of the Kenyan music band Sauti Sol. He was born on 28th December 1987. He is currently 37 years old.
Bien Biography
| Full Names: | Bien-Aime Alusa Baraza |
| Known as: | Bien, Man A BaldMan |
| Date of Birth: | 28th December 1987 |
| Age: | 37 Years Old |
| Place of Birth: | Nairobi – Kenya |
| Place of Growth: | Kilimani – Nairobi Rongai – Nairobi |
| Profession: | Vocalist, Songwriter,Musician, Entrepreneur |
Bien Family
Bien comes from a polygamous family as his father is polygamous.
He is related to the former Deputy Chief Justice: Nancy Baraza, who is his stepmother.
Bien Early Life Struggle
Bien grew up in the lavish neighborhoods of Kilimani in Nairobi.
In 2002, his father lost his job as a director in an NGO company and her mother was then retrenched in the Y2K era.
Their household had no income at that time.
They later relocated to Kamura, where they rented out a smaller house, which was less than half in size of the previous house they lived in.
Bien would sleep in the living room in the newly rented house.
Life became tougher and his dad sold his car, they would also eat ‘githeri’ every day.
Due to lack of rent, they relocated to an unfinished house that his father had been building with his life savings.
The house had no ceiling, no electricity, the walls were not painted, the floor was unfinished, and the basic plumbing was not done.
They had already sold all their electronics and they would use kerosene lamps as lights.
Bien and his sister were out of school for about a whole year.
Bien Education
Bien attended various primary schools including:-
- St. Nicholas Primary School in Kilimani
- NPC Buruburu Primary School
- St. Patrick Hillschool in Kiserian
- Olerai Primary School in Ongata Rongai – Nairobi
- Kunoni Education Centre in Kajiado County.
In class 7, Bien once led his class in performing at the School’s parents’ day.
He later went to Upperhill High School in Nairobi, Kenya, where he met Savara and Chimano.
They then started singing as a trio group (Bien, Chimano and Savara).
In form 4, 3rd term they went for a singing competition called ‘Spotlight on Kenyan Music‘ where they won.
Bien finished his high school education in 2005, together with Chimano and Savara.
He later went to United States International University (USIU) in Nairobi – Kenya, where he studied Journalism and Media Studies.
He used to live in Roysambu – Nairobi at that time.
Bien later graduated from the university in 2011.
Bien Relationship
Bien is in a relationship with Chiki Kuruka.
Chiki was born in East London in the United Kingdom.
She is a presenter, fitness trainer, choreographer and wellness advisor.
They got engaged on 28th February 2019, Bien rented out a whole movie cinema at Westage Mall in Nairobi, Kenya.
They later got married in a Civil Union at the Attorney General’s office on 6th March 2020.
It was followed by a wedding celebration at Pallet Cafe in Lavington.
The wedding cost was about 300,000 Kenya Shillings, equivalent to about 3000 US Dollars at the time.
They recently celebrated their 5th anniversary in March of 2025.
Bien describes her as the most hardworking person.
Chiki Kuruka is also his manager.
Bien Music Journey – Sauti Sol
In 2006, Chimano enrolled to Alliance Française, where they met Polycarp alias Fancy Fingers.
The four of them would meet at Uhuru Park and do music rehearsals for about 4 – 5 hours.
They still didn’t have a group stage name at that particular time.
After sometimes they needed a group name and they first called themselves ‘ Sauti ‘
The Late Jamby Koikai was their manager at that time.
They later got signed to a record label known as ‘Penya Africa‘.
They later changed their name to ‘Sauti Sol’, Sol means Light in Spanish.
They have then released four albums namely;
- Mwanzo, their debut album was released in 2009.
- Sol Filosofia was later released in 2011.
- Live and Die in Afrika was then released in 2015.
- African Sauce was later released in 2019.
- Midnight Train was released in 2020.
They were newly signed to Universal Music Group – Africa.
It took them 3 years (back and forth) for them to get signed after negotiating a better deal
Bien has released various collaboration projects e.g;
- ‘ Haiwi Haiwi ‘ by Wendy Kimani was released on 21st May 2014
- ‘ Yes Bana ‘ by Khaligraph Jones was released on 30th January 2020
- ‘Kamati Ya Roho Chafu‘ by Willy Paul was released on 25th July 2020
- ‘Niko Sawa‘ by Nviiri the Storyteller which was released in 5th March 2021
Bien Music Journey – Solo Career
Bien signed a 50-million deal to Sol Generation Records in 2021.
Sol Generation was founded by Sauti Sol where he is a founding member.
Bald Men Love Better – EP
Bien released a collaborative EP with Aaron Rimbui in November 2021.
The 5-song EP contained songs such as:
- Bald Men Anthem
- Stamina
- Coming Home
- Reset Rewind
- Mbwe Mbwe
Bien continued to release chart-topping solo and collaborative projects.
Alusa Why Are You Topless? – Debut Album
Bien first released his debut album titled “Alusa Why Are You Topless?” on 17th November 2023.
The 16-track album contained the following singles:-
- Legend (Intro)
- Lost & Found
- Sex & Marijuana
- My Baby (Featuring Ayra Starr)
- Chikwere
- Ma Cherie
- I Want You
- True Love
- Stay
- A Student
- Time
- Time Alone (Featuring Tay Iwar)
- Lifestyle (Featuring Scar Mkadinali)
- Too Easy [Original] (Featuring DJ Edu)
- Kwama
- Anointed [Outro] (Featuring Sarah Ikumu)
He later released a deluxe version of the album on 5th July 2024 with 5 more tracks:
- Ma Cherie (Featuring Fally Ipupa)
- Wahala (Featuring Adekunle Gold)
- Duniya (Featuring Prince Indah)
- Rakata (Featuring Rayvanny)
- Finally (Featuring Wretch32)
Bien’s has continued to satisfy his fans with amazing music and electrifying performances around the globe.
Sauti Sol Awards & Recognition
They have won multiple awards. For example;
- They won ‘ Best African Act ‘ in the 2014 MTV Europe Music Awards ( EMA )
They beat fellow nominees Davido (Nigeria), Toofan (Togo), Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania) and Goldfish (South Africa).
- They also won ‘Best Group’ in the 2017 MTV Africa Awards
Bien Awards & Recognition
Bien alongside Bensoul won a Grammy for their songwriting input at the 2021 Grammy Awards for Burna Boy‘s album ‘Twice as Tall‘, which won Global Music Album. Bien and Bensoul wrote ‘Time Flies‘ on the album.
Bien recently won a Trace Award for Best Artist in Eastern Africa. The event took place in Zanzibar on 26th February 2025.
He was also recently nominated alongside Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania), Juma Jux (Tanzania), Bruce Melodie (Rwanda) and Azawi (Uganda) for the Best East African Artiste of the Year award at the 2025 Headies Awards, held recently in Lagos, Nigeria.
He unfortunately lost the award to Tanzanian Singer, Juma Jux.
Bien Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Who is Bien?
Bien also known as Man A BaldMan, whose real name is Bien-Aime Alusa Baraza is a Kenyan singer, songwriter, Vocalist, Entertainer and Performing Artist from Kenya
- What is Bien's full name?
Bien’s full name is Bien-Aime Alusa Baraza.
- When was Bien born?
Bien was born on 28th December 1987.
- How old is Bien?
Bien is currently 37 years old.
- Is Bien Married?
Yes, Bien is married to Chiki Kuruka, who is also his manager
- When did Bien get engaged?
Bien got engaged on 28th February 2019, he rented out a whole movie cinema at Westage Mall in Nairobi, Kenya.
- When did Bien marry Chiki Kuruka?They later got married in a Civil Union at the Attorney General’s office on 6th March 2020. It was followed by a wedding celebration at Pallet Cafe in Lavington.
- How much did Bien's and Chiki's wedding cost?
Bien’s and Chiki’s wedding cost was about 300,000 Kenya Shillings, equivalent to about 3000 US Dollars at the time.
- Which primary school did Bien attend?Bien attended various primary schools including:-
- St. Nicholas Primary School in Kilimani
- NPC Buruburu Primary School
- St. Patrick Hillschool in Kiserian
- Olerai Primary School in Ongata Rongai – Nairobi
- Kunoni Education Centre in Kajiado County.
- what secondary school did Bien attend?
Bien attended Upperhill High School in Nairobi, Kenya, where he met Savara and Chimano.
- Which university did Bien study at?
He later went to United States International University (USIU) in Nairobi – Kenya, where he studied Journalism and Media Studies and graduated in 2011.
- How many albums has Bien released?Bien has only released one album titled “Alusa Why Are You Topless?”. It was released on 17th November 2023. The 16-track album contained the following singles:-
-
- Legend (Intro)
- Lost & Found
- Sex & Marijuana
- My Baby (Featuring Ayra Starr)
- Chikwere
- Ma Cherie
- Want You
- True Love
- Stay
- A Student
- Time
- Time Alone (Featuring Tay Iwar)
- Lifestyle (Featuring Scar Mkadinali)
- Too Easy [Original] (Featuring DJ Edu)
- Kwama
- Anointed [Outro] (Featuring Sarah Ikumu)
-
- Ma Cherie (Featuring Fally Ipupa)
- Wahala (Featuring Adekunle Gold)
- Duniya (Featuring Prince Indah)
- Rakata (Featuring Rayvanny)
- Finally (Featuring Wretch32)
-
- Has Bien won a Grammy?
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[…] is inspired and motivated by the following artists; Bensoul (from Sol Generation), Bien-Aime Baraza (A member of the music group:- Sauti Sol), Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, Jennifer Hudson and Joshua […]
[…] would also go to writing sessions with the group – Polycarp, Savara, Bien & […]