This archive report was first published on 1 September 2021.
Willis Chimano, the lead vocalist of Sauti Sol, has spoken candidly about his childhood and teenage years in a recent interview. Born and raised in Kenya, Chimano's journey to self-discovery began in his teens.
Speaking on Wabosha Maxine's podcast series, 'Letter to my younger self', Chimano revealed that he had his first crush on someone different from him. He recalled, 'It was different because I was different. I will keep it at that. What I liked was not necessarily what most people liked.'
Chimano also shared that he had a difficult childhood, growing up as an introvert. He said, 'I was not as playful or as talkative as the other kids on the playground. To an extent, my folks were over-protective of me.'
Despite facing challenges, Chimano has become a confident and talented artist. When asked for advice to someone in a similar situation, he said, 'You are amazing and that there is nothing wrong with you. If anyone tells you otherwise, you tell them that that is a ‘they problem’ and not a ‘you problem’.'
Chimano's words of wisdom are a testament to his growth and self-acceptance. He emphasized the importance of being true to oneself and not letting societal expectations dictate one's path.
