At just 23 years old, Joshua Giribambe, better known as Jowest, is making waves in the music industry.

Born in 2001, Jowest’s love affair with music began as a six-year-old, singing alongside his sisters in church. It wasn’t long before his talent caught the attention of those around him as they encouraged him and complemented his vocal tones and melodies.

One of Jowest’s biggest moments is when his father gifted him a guitar, providing him with the tool to create his own music. He poured his heart into crafting cover songs, original songs, including his debut track, ‘Wanted’ in 2022.

His breakthrough came when he met his former manager at ‘IT Entertainment’ recording label that truly set his career in motion.

With access to professional recording facilities and distribution channels, he seized the opportunity to share his music with a wider audience. His track, ‘Hejuru’ quickly gained traction, pushing him into the spotlight in 2023.

His time with the management was however cut short, despite his early success, due to miscommunication. The move forced him to navigate the music industry independently. Undeterred, Jowest remains determined to forge his own path, continuing to create music that tells a love story.

With songs like ‘Agahapinesi’, ‘Majisiyene’, ‘Ndatinda’, ‘Wanted’ and more under his own belt, Jowest’s star continues to rise.

Jowest attended secondary school at Bethel College in Ruhango District, pursued Electronics at Gishari IPRC in Rwamagana District, and is currently specializing in Business Information Technology (BIT) at the University of Technology and Business (UTB).

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In an interview with The New Times, the singer shared his career journey and future plans.

Excerpts:

How would you describe your music style?

My music style mainly revolves around love songs. This is because they transcend boundaries, reach farther in the history of music making and I often draw inspiration from them. While I’m exploring other aspects of social life, my focus remains on composing love stories as it's where I find my original rhythm.

Do you feel your style and approach to music have evolved since you started your career?

Regarding my approach to music, it has occasionally evolved based on current trends. However, the original style that has garnered success and support has remained unchanged, and that’s love themes.

What has been your biggest inspiration or influence in your songwriting process?

My biggest inspiration comes from the artistes who came before me. I draw inspiration from their music and experiences. For instance, my friend Sankara’s beautiful song inspired me to write my first song, ‘Wanted’.

I also admired artists like The Ben, whose music deeply influenced me when I started, until my producer encouraged me to find my own style.

However, the turning point was when my father bought me a guitar, fueling my passion for music and kickstarting my journey as a songwriter.

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What has your experience been like working independently after parting ways with the IT Entertainment team?

What I’ve realized is that being in charge means having the authority to decide whether or not to release a song, whereas in a management role, you may not have that freedom. This is normally a big challenge for anyone.

While my team could assist with music production costs, I currently handle all aspects myself, including composition. Previously, they took on decision-making responsibilities, and I would just rely on feedback from people.

How has the transition to working independently affected your creative process and overall career trajectory?

Currently, I’m not just building things as I did before; I’m actively rebuilding them and promoting my new platforms. It is a significant change of course, and I’m excited about its potential growing and long impact it will have on my career trajectory. I’m committed to making them as big as I want them to be.

Are there any challenges so far?

Creating music is financially demanding, and self-sponsoring can be challenging compared to having someone else support you. Besides, navigating new platforms independently is tough, but I’m confident I can build a strong engagement on them over time.

Recently, there were allegations made against you regarding a sexual case. How did you handle that situation, and what impact did it have on you personally, professionally?

It wasn’t true. I was falsely accused but not convicted. I spent some days in jail until proven innocent. My lawyer helped clear my name. Of course, I lost some opportunities and money, including missing shootings, exams, concerts, and refunding advance payments.