Tusker and Bien Aliki Launch Base to Billboardz Accelerator Program With Six Finalists Selected

Six Kenyan artists join the Base to Billboardz accelerator. Learn how Bien and Tusker are mentoring the next generation of music stars for global success.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 27, 2026, 8:30 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from TUKO.co.ke

Strategic Career Accelerator Moves Beyond Talent Competition Model

The Kenyan music landscape is witnessing a shift in artist development with the official unveiling of the Base to Billboardz inaugural finalists. Unlike traditional reality television contests that prioritize a winner takes all cash prize, this program, known as B2B, operates as a deliberate career accelerator for artists who have already demonstrated significant market momentum. To qualify for the shortlist, participants were required to show established digital footprints, including at least one million career streams and an online audience exceeding 10,000 followers. This selective criteria ensures that the intervention targets semi established professionals who possess the raw material for long term commercial success but lack the institutional backing to scale.

Industry Titans Lead Comprehensive Mentorship Framework

The initiative is anchored by a strategic partnership between Kenya Breweries Limited, through its Tusker brand, and Sauti Sol frontman Bien Aime Baraza, who serves as the principal mentor. Over the next six months, the six selected finalists will undergo a rigorous training regimen designed to address the fragmented nature of the local music industry. According to program organizers, the curriculum extends far beyond creative workshops in songwriting and vocals. Monthly masterclasses are scheduled to cover the essential business of music, ranging from intellectual property distribution and contract negotiation to global branding and digital monetization strategies.

Selected Finalists Represent Diverse Sounds of Modern Kenya

The six artists chosen for the debut cohort bring a variety of musical perspectives that reflect the current richness of the national scene. The finalists include Muringi Matheri, recognized for the track Managī, and Manasseh Shalom, known for Dark Brown Eyes. They are joined by Zawadi Mukami, Chris Barr, Peter Njuguna, and Ras Amor, each of whom was selected through a combination of public voting and expert industry evaluation at a live showcase. By gathering these distinct voices, the program seeks to foster a collaborative environment where individual originality is supported by a robust professional structure, allowing these artists to compete more effectively on both local and international stages.