Bien, the genre-bending force behind some of Africa's most compelling sounds, has once again commanded attention with a standout live performance. His latest hit, "All My Enemies Are Suffering," which has just surpassed a staggering 1 million views on YouTube and currently sits atop the music trending charts, received a memorable live rendition on On The Radar Radio. What truly set this performance apart, however, was Bien's unmistakable companion on stage: a live cockerel, held confidently in hand.
For those familiar with Bien's artistic persona, this wasn't an entirely new spectacle. The charismatic artist has, with calculated audacity, previously incorporated a live cockerel into media interviews, using the vibrant fowl as a powerful symbol. Furthermore, this deliberate visual motif is central to the song's official music video, where the cockerel features prominently, reinforcing its significance within the track's narrative. This consistent artistic choice underscores Bien's commitment to profound symbolism and cheeky satire.
"All My Enemies Are Suffering" is a masterful convergence of spiritual bravado and Afro-musical mastery. Teased during his global tour in June at a London street venue, the track seamlessly blends Bien's signature Luhya identity with broader African sensibilities, drawing from Nigerian and South African soundscapes. The chorus "All my enemies are suffering / all their plans go scatter scatter" rings with a triumphant, almost incantatory power, resonating like a comic yet vengeful callback to Nollywood's trope of poetic justice.
The symbolism of the cockerel is deeply rooted in Bien's Luhya heritage, where it stands as a figure of honor, vitality, and triumphant masculinity. In this context, it represents a male energy that dares, wins, and indeed, sings while doing it. Whether interpreted as a meme, a personal mantra, or a moment of pure sonic celebration, this track, coupled with Bien's audacious performance choices, undeniably reinforces his status as a leading, genre-blurring artist of his generation—rooted in culture, sharp-witted, and gloriously defiant.
