Rwandan singer Christiane Bukuru, who goes by ‘Boukuru’ as her stage name, is one of the budding artistes in the country going above and beyond to make a name for herself in the music arena. But how did the inspiration to sing come about?
First, Boukuru’s love for music, she said, was innate, a gift that grew through church, school and watching a lot of TV shows until she found herself going to places that accommodated the gift.
Talking to The New Times, Boukuru delved into her career’s magical moments, her upcoming debut album, highlights of 2023, a year she achieved several ‘milestones’ and her thoughts on Rwandan music.
Big moments
The singer who is signed under the MetroAfro Management Label, last year got to perform on the same stage as Nigeria’s Asake, and UK Popular rapper Roddy Rich among others, she considers the experience at Fly Time Fest, Nigeria’s music and arts festival, an iconic moment of her career.
Before travelling to Nigeria, where she was the opening act for Afrobeats star Kiss Daniel, Boukuru also performed at several ‘prestigious’ events in Rwanda like the Gorilla naming ceremony Kwita Izina.
With excitement, Boukuru couldn’t leave out the time when she met President Paul Kagame during the Trace Awards and Festival 2023.
"It’s a highlight and one of the best. They invited us and we went to Urugwiro. I just couldn’t believe I was there,” she said.
Overcoming challenges
One of the challenges the singer, who has launched three solo projects along with a five-song EP, faced was the time she was supposed to decide whether she was to become a professional singer or not.
"Everyone meets hardships in life but the way people go through them is what makes them different,” the singer who holds a Master's degree in Project Management from Germany said.
"My first challenge was knowing whether I wanted to pursue music in the long run but I also struggled writing original content,” she said.
For Boukuru, an opportunity to attend the Art Rwanda-Ubuhanzi Incubation program, where they received training about creating music was when she got the solutions to her challenges.
"That was Art Rwanda, because if it wasn’t that I wouldn’t be singing professionally,” Boukuru revealed.
Favorite musician in Rwanda
For Boukuru, it depends on the season and the genre of music.
"But I’m a big fan of Kivumbi King, James and Daniella because I feel like they are blessed I love them so much,” she said adding that she is also a fan of gospel singer Aime Uwimana.
Boukuru says the reason most of her favorite artistes are gospel singers is that she grew up listening to gospel music.
"I grew up listening to gospel music in a church environment. They were so inspiring, there’s a way they sing there’s the way they write, there’s a way they perform while worshipping,” she noted.
Boukuru who also likes Gakondo singer Ruti Joel's music, recently performed at the Ibihame by’ Imana concert, which she described as amazing.
"It felt amazing, it was new, it was like the Rwandan Opera,” she said.
For Boukuru, the artistes comparison game in music shouldn’t exist but artistes should do their best and support one another for people to recognize them for what they do.
What the Rwandan community should do to support musicians
From her experience in Nigeria, Boukuru believes that Rwandans should be the primary consumers of their artistes’ work like Nigerians do.
"I wish Rwandans could listen to our music,” Boukuru said adding that she also recognizes the progress being made to support local musicians.
According to Boukuru, Rwandans should know that Kinyarwanda is not a common language around the world like Swahili, Chinese, English and French.
"If we are not our consumers who is going to listen to us? Rwandans should make other people love Rwandan music,” she said.
Upcoming projects
When asked what projects or future plans she has, Boukuru revealed that she is releasing her debut album in early May 2024.
Even though the singer did not disclose much information, she said there are no collaborations with any artiste on the album for the sake of ‘giving people a taste of her music.