Bien Declines Sh260 Million Deal to Feature at Darassa’s Album Launch Free
3 min read
In a move that has left the fans and players in the industry as much stunned as impressed, Kenyan artist
has revealed that he declined an eye–watering Sh260 million ($2 million) offer to feature at Tanzanian rapper Darassa‘s album launch — choosing instead to attend his longtime friend‘s show for free.
The announcement, made on April 24, 2025, has triggered massive debates about loyalty, money, and friendship in the entertainment industry.
Bien, who was once part of Kenya‘s award-winning team Sauti Sol, told the story while in Dar es Salaam for Darassa‘s very emotional album launch, Take Away the Pain. Hosted at The Warehouse, which Bien called “one of the best in East Africa,” the event also drew celebrities like Ali Kiba, Marion, and Jay Melody.
Speaking to the press, Bien recounted how Darassa personally offered him the $2 million deal, wanting him to headline.
“Darassa called me up, telling me he‘d pay me two million dollars,” Bien recalled smiling. “But I told him, ‘I‘m your brother; I‘m doing this for free.'”
He praised Darassa‘s sincerity as an artist, saying that his music is worthy of unflinching support.
The story soon went viral, generating awe — and skepticism — on social media sites like X. While others lauded Bien‘s dedication, others questioned whether the sensationalized character was exaggerated to gain publicity ahead of the April 25 event. Because of the rarity of such high performance fees in East Africa, some fans questioned the authenticity of the claim.
Bien’s decision highlights a personal philosophy shaped by hardship. In a 2024 interview, he revealed his family’s struggles after his father lost his job, leading to financial instability.
“You’ll never hear a story about Bien popping bottles in a club,” he said at the time — an attitude consistent with his choice to prioritize loyalty over a large payout.
Darassa‘s own history provides further background to the story. Even after having amassed massive success with hits like Muziki, Darassa had previously unveiled earning little profit from his top hits due to issues with domestic streaming and ringback tone sites. Bien‘s performance for gratis can be viewed as an act of solidarity with a friend who has himself had to endure the financial downturn of the music sector.
Bien and Darassa have collaborated in the past, namely on No Body (2023) and Down for You (2025), blending Tanzanian hip-hop and Kenyan R&B into anthems for the region.
The Take Away the Pain launch was a highlight for Darassa, and Bien‘s presence worked to add to the excitement. Addressing his fans in Tanzania, Bien said, “I’ve always felt at home here,” referencing the fact that he has a particularly strong bond with the Tanzanian fanbase.
While Bien‘s benevolent gesture has been largely appreciated, it also says something about the East African music industry reality that most artists rely on performance pay to sustain themselves. Bien‘s economic independence gave him the luxury of having the choice to prioritize being a good friend — something not every artist can choose to do.
Whatever the reasons for the relocation, Bien‘s action has left an indelible mark, reminding fans that in a business that sometimes focuses too much on profit, brotherhood and loyalty can still prevail.
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