How And Why Sauti Sol ‘fired’ Chimano…
Enthusiastic presenter Mwalimu Rachel has shared the story of how Sauti Sol influenced one of their members to resign from his position as a radio presenter.
In the early days before the band gained widespread recognition, Willis Chimano, a member of Sauti Sol, worked as a radio presenter at Homeboyz Radio.
Chimano, who openly identified as gay, co-hosted a show with Mwalimu Rachel and singer Dela Maranga.
According to comedian Mwalimu Rachel, Chimano had become the favorite of the radio station boss, John Rabar, due to his captivating voice and eloquence.
Just when it seemed like Chimano would continue to thrive on the radio, Sauti Sol compelled him to step down.
“Chimano was the golden boy of Homeboyz Radio because of his golden voice. He would talk on the mic and you fall in love; our boss loved him,” recounted Mwalimu Rachel.
However, one day, Chimano showed up at work and informed his colleagues and the boss that he was resigning.
“He said he was in a band of four people, and his band told him to choose between radio and them, and he chose music.”
Despite the encouragement from Mwalimu Rachel and other colleagues to stay, Chimano was resolute.
“We told him not to do it, but Chimano said he had to follow his heart. One month later, while watching The Beat, we saw Chimano singing Lazizi on TV. He became big from there; it was such a gamble, and it paid off,” added Mwalimu Rachel.