Kenyan soul singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Bensoul recently shared one of the most transformative moments of his career — meeting renowned Jamaican reggae artist Chronixx in Nairobi.
Speaking to Miss Nailantei on KTN’s Art of Living, Bensoul opened up about how Chronixx discovered him at a time when he was still largely unknown in the Kenyan music scene.
The encounter, he said, left a lasting impression on his artistry and personal journey.
“My most amazing and memorable experience was meeting up with Chronixx,” Bensoul recalled. “I feel like he really changed something in me. He planted a beautiful seed in my soul just by watching him do his thing and calling me on stage when I wasn’t even known by many people. He discovered me in the craziest way.”
Bensoul, who was then part of H_art the Band, revealed that a mutual friend, fellow artist Kelissa, played a crucial role in the connection.
During a visit to Kenya, Kelissa recorded videos of him performing and later shared them with Chronixx upon returning to Jamaica.
“There’s a lady called Kelissa who came through and hung out with H_art the Band in Rongai. She was recording videos and when she went back to Jamaica, she played some of them to Chronixx. When he came back to Kenya, he already knew who he wanted to meet — and it was us.”
According to Bensoul, the encounter with Chronixx went beyond a simple introduction. Not only did Chronixx invite him and the group on stage to perform together, but he also took time to mentor them through a heartfelt jam session.
“We got to sit down with him and jam. We didn’t even make music but just picked his mind. He’s such an amazing teacher, and I feel like he’s very aware of the purpose he has in life. That’s what he passed on to us.”
Bensoul describes the experience as a pivotal moment that shifted how he approached songwriting and music creation.
That inspiration later bore fruit when he became the first artist signed to Sol Generation — the record label launched by Sauti Sol in 2019. His debut single under the label, Lucy, was released shortly after.
“‘Lucy’ was inspired by true events. It’s a relatable story for many young people — about a young man unsure of his place in a relationship, but still deeply in love,” Bensoul explained in a past interview.
The song’s heartfelt lyrics and compelling visuals struck a chord with fans, establishing Bensoul as a unique voice in Kenya’s music scene and marking the beginning of his ascent to fame.
by moses sagwe
