Bensoul released his first solo album ‘The Lion of Sudah’ at the Alchemist on the 20th of April.
April 20th (4/20) is a symbolic date cherished by weed users around the world as a reason to get together with friends and huge crowds every year.
This is why it was so important for Bensoul to release his first album last Thursday since announcing he was leaving Sol Generation after five years to become an independent artist.
Speaking during an interview with a local news outlet, Bensoul said the 4/20 release date was important because he has songs that advocate the use of marijuana in his new album.
“420 is a beautiful day, it’s the day of celebration of the greatest medicine cannabis, so it was important for my album to be released on that day. This is because the album has quite a few songs that advocate the use of marijuana but also support the movement that is pushing for its legalisation in Kenya,” Bensoul said.
Bensoul, who doesn’t hide the fact that he smokes weed, further condemned Kenya for criminalizing marijuana use.
“I feel like if other parts of the world have legalised marijuana then we as a country should do the same. I mean there are so many places where people are making money from the marijuana business and helping their families.
“It has also been used to make medicine, so why are we as a country not able to see these benefits? We have the best weather, the best soil, the best everything to grow marijuana, but we are holding back. It’s a conversation we need to have as a country, we need to be bold about it and that’s what I’m doing with the album, I’m saying liberate it for the people,” he adds.
Under Kenyan law, anyone found in possession of cannabis for personal use can be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison.
