DJ Fully Focus Spills the Beans on his beef with Bien

Globally acclaimed DJ and producer Fully Focus has opened up about his conflict with Afropop sensation Sauti Sol’s singer Bien-Aime Baraza.

In an interview with the Iko Nini Podcast, the DJ recounted the challenges he faced before collaborating with singer Bien on their track 'Dimension'.

Despite his loyalty and support, Fully Focus felt their relationship was one-sided, with Sauti Sol prioritizing their own interests.

Fully Focus noted that despite his efforts dating back to 2014, when he joined the group for their US tour and even performed at their big show in Vegas, he felt brushed off when it came to making music together.

“I sent them ‘Dimensions’ two years before it came out without getting any response. In 2021, I met Bien at his house and I called him out for being in a one-sided relationship,” he recalled.

After years of trying, Bien finally agreed to collaborate, but the situation worsened during the planning of a US tour, where Fully Focus felt sidelined and disrespected.

Fully Focus explained that while promoting their song on various TV stations, Bien during their appearance on 10 over 10 announced he will be doing another US tour with him.

Later, the DJ received a call from their Kenyan and US managers to plan the tour where he says he was the one who sold them the idea of hosting perception tours like the Afrobeat artistes. He also suggested they do regional tours against city tours.

The DJ says he later met with the team and did his whole presentations including giving the names of the venues.

Notably, at the time, Sautisol band was still working on their visas therefore the list of venues were still tentative.

In between planning, the band held SolFest in Nairobi where the DJ was scheduled to perform leading to their eventual fallout.

 He explained that during the festival, his time on stage was not cut out as there was a battle on whether he should join the stage before or after Sauti Sol. The organizers later reached an agreement and Fully Focus was set to perform after the boy band but his performance was maliciously interrupted.

“...I literally play 'Dimensions' and I hear the sound going low. They basically kicked me out,” he said.

He later walked off the stage and texted Bien who he said was dismissive.

Much to his surprise two weeks later, DJ Fully Focus learnt he had been sidelined from Sauti Sol’s US Tour after he saw the fliers. According to him, the fliers had the same exact plan he had given them but with a different promoter.

Despite confronting the issue, the group's response was dismissive, leading Fully Focus to realize they too were part of the industry's problem with reciprocity.

“I texted them as a group 'Unbelievable' and Bien responded saying '...the entitlement.”

He concluded emphasizing the importance of being grateful to those who support your journey and called for a change in attitude within the Kenyan entertainment scene.

“Be a superstar to your fans not your peers who helped you advance. Yes, you owe to them and if that is not how you feel, then it says much about your character,” he remarked.