As Bien-Aimé Baraza stepped out from Sauti Sol to pursue a solo career, it was important to create an image that felt unmistakably iconic.

We developed a mixed-media visual approach centred on a striking topless portrait of Bien. The image references a moment earlier in his career that sparked public backlash but ultimately propelled him forward. Reframed here, it becomes a symbol of boldness and artistic conviction.

Layered with reactions from the public and press, the composition captures the spectrum of conversation that follows an artist willing to take risks. Thoughtful, curious, provocative and occasionally absurd. Together, these voices form a living backdrop to Bien’s emergence as a solo artist unafraid to challenge expectations.