It’s a ‘throwback’ moment! A decade ago, music was arguably the most fascinating section of the entertainment industry in Rwanda. The then hottest music stars had their fans eating out of their palms and they all could see fame and fortune on the horizon.
While musicians are still admired and mobbed by adoring fans wherever they go, only a handful of those who rocked the stage and hit airwaves with pomp and gusto can still be heard or seen.
Most have since disappeared into oblivion, some have changed careers, others slowed down but resisted from quitting music while others, especially those who were singing in groups, are now doing solo projects.
Sunday Magazine takes a look at the artistes or music groups who were at their peak but ended up disappearing from the music scene.
Dr Claude
If there is an artist who made Rwandans enjoy music ten years ago, it has to be Dr Claude. The singer’s energy and his afro-beat had many fans asking for more. Who can ever forget the social scene anthem ‘contre succès’ or ‘Baramujyanye’ that had both the young and old humming and dancing along?
When the fire started waning in Rwanda, the singer relocated to Burundi; his country of origin where he currently lives with his family.
Dr Claude had enjoyed the best moments of his music career while in Rwanda but his fans had to move on when he relocated.
However, it seems that there is hope for his fans. Dr Claude told Sunday Magazine that he is looking forward to meeting his music fans in Rwanda again in December.
Miss Jojo
Miss Jojo’s early moments in her music career were like no other.
She grew up in a male-dominated and competitive music generation but that did not stop her from establishing herself as one of Rwanda’s music superstars of her time.
Her best moments were in 2008 when her music was ruling the local radio weekly top charts. ‘Mbwira’, ‘Beretirida’, ‘Nganirira’ and ‘Siwezi enda’ were among the hit songs that turned the singer into a household name.
People won’t easily forget, ‘Tukabyine’ and ‘Danger de mort’, her two collaborations with fellow singer Rafiki. Both songs hit the waves and can only be listed among the best collaborations Rwandan music has in the decade.
The beginning of the end of her music career kicked off with her decision to convert from Christianity to Islam and not long after that, she tied the knot.
She then quit the industry and started working with the American Embassy in what most people thought was a temporary move.
Unfortunately, last year, Miss Jojo announced that she had quit music for good.
Alexis Dusabe
Ever since he rose to fame a decade ago, gospel singer Alexis Dusabe’s music was appreciated by a huge number of music fans, regardless of their religion.
The content and understanding of music were key to his quick rise to stardom. ‘Umuyoboro’, ‘Kuki turira’ and ‘Ibyiringiro’ will forever be remembered by many.
Gospel singer Alexis Dusabe. / Courtesy
The singer enjoyed massive airplay on local radios and he was known for attracting huge crowds when he did a number of gospel concerts which would attract huge crowds. It’s no surprise that his songs would even be played in bars.
However, he has since disappeared from the public eye and has not released any new song for years.
One quick phone call to Dusabe revealed that he is still serving the Lord but in a different way. He told Sunday Magazine that he has had enough time to spread the word of God through gospel music and has taken on new responsibilities. Some reports indicate that he is now a preacher.
Faisal Kode
RnB singer Faisal Ngeruka cemented his feet into music and quickly rose to stardom thanks to his hit songs like ‘Impeta’, ‘Sinzahinduka’ and ‘Igikomere’.
Faycal Kode. / Courtesy
In 2012, the singer relocated to Belgium, where he lives with his wife and two children. However, while he may not be as popular as he was back then, he still reportedly records music and is currently working with different producers in Belgium, Kigali and DR Congo.
His latest song is ‘Julieta’.
Rafiki Coga
Singer Rafiki Mazimpaka established himself as the celebrated king of ‘Coga Style’ when he introduced his unique singing style for the majority of his songs including ‘Igikobwa’, ‘Igikomando’ and ‘Tukabyine (ft Miss Jojo), and Igikosi (ft Professor Jay) among others.
However, he has failed to keep the momentum over the past five years.
Rafiki Mazimpaka. / Courtesy
Rafiki admits his music is not at its peak and that he has been slow over the past few years but denied retiring from music any time soon.
"I am still doing music because that has always been my dream. I haven’t had any hits of recent but we have to admit that you can’t be always on top,” he said.
He revealed he is looking for a management team that will help him rebrand.
MC Mahoniboni
Regarded as one of the pioneers of the Hip Hop music genre in Rwanda, rapper MC Mahoniboni, real name Bienvenue Mahoro Rugande, is credited for helping budding artists of his generation to gain the confidence to venture into this genre.
MC Mahoni Boni. / Courtesy
He may have started singing in the early 2000s but he made his name in 2006 when he switched to Hip Hop with hits like ‘Kubaka izina’, ‘Dusenge’ and more rappers have since followed in his footsteps and flourished.
He has since moved to The Netherlands and not much has been heard about him since.
Mako Nikoshwa
‘Agaseko’, ‘Ndi umushumba’, ‘Nkunda kuragira’, ‘Mujyane’ and ‘Bonane’ are the songs that introduced afro-beat musician Mako Nikoshwa, real name Joseph Makombe, to Rwandans and made him the king of the airwaves between 2008 and 2012.
Mako’s career crashed as fast as it had started. His ill health faced its biggest challenge in 2014 when he spent more than six months in the hospital.
Two years later, the singer tried to bounce back but again his deteriorating health became an obstacle.
Mako told Sunday Magazine that he is preparing a concert titled ‘Mako Nikoshwa Comeback’ on December 1 at White Club, Kimironko, during which he will announce a ‘comeback’ to the music scene.
"I tried to regain my fame but health did not allow me to. I feel as if I am going to re-launch my career. I want to prove to my fans that my talent has gone nowhere,” he said.
The Brothers
Famous for their major hits such as ‘Bya bihe’, ‘Ikirori’ and Yambi among many songs, Daniel Semivumbi, alias Danny Vumbi, Victor Fidèle Gatsinzi, a.k.a Vicky, and Fikiri Nshimiyimana, a.k.a Ziggy 55, committed to being ‘Brothers’ in music with a mission to challenge the rest of the then music generation.
The Brothers. L-R: Danny Vumbi, Ziggy55 and Victor Fidele aka Koudou. / Courtesy
At first, it really worked, and just as their fans were getting excited, the three men split up to each pursue a solo career.
So far, only Danny Vumbi is still standing. Ziggy55 also disappeared from the music scene and now works for Rwanda Revenue Authority and also has another job as a radio presenter while not much is known about the whereabouts of Vicky.
Kigali Boys (KGB)
Arguably the oldest music group of the post-genocide modern music generation, the Kigali Boys were among the leading music groups ten years ago after cementing their fame on the local music spot with many of their hit songs like Abakobwa b’i Kigali, Arasharamye, Ibiremwa by’umwijima, and Uko tubigenza.
However, the sudden death of group member Henry Hirwa (H-Wow) in 2012 seems to have sent very deep shockwaves within the group.
KGB has disappeared since the group lost late Henry Hirwa (right) when he died in a swimming accident. / Courtesy
Since then, KGB’s future started to hang in balance and looked uncertain.
Surviving group members Gaston Rurangwa aka Skizzy, and Ivan Manzi aka MYP, decided to move on and recruited a new member in Serge Mugabo, a.k.a Sajou to replace Hirwa.
However, it is said that the two couldn’t fully connect with Sajou and the group crumbled.
Manzi’s departure to the United States for further studies marked the end of KGB’s operations.
Skizzy, told Sunday Magazine that though he changed careers, he is always honoured and proud to hear people appreciating the group’s music and that he won’t forget the moments, memories and achievements KGB enjoyed together.
Tuff Gang
From ‘Kwicuma’, ‘Gereza’, to ‘Wiyita iki’ and ‘Turi hano’, Hip Hop crew Tuff Gang became a household name between 2009 and 2013.
The quartet of Jay Polly, Fireman, Green P and Bulldog made a compact combination of rap which earned them a big fan base from across the country. However, their solidarity in music didn’t last as long as many expected.
Tuff Gang. / Courtesy
Hundreds of thousands of youthful Hip Hop music fans loved the crew but everyone later realised that the rappers took the affection for granted after each of them preferred to go solo.
Lead rapper, Jay Polly is said to have grown distant from the rest of the members after scooping Rwf24 million from winning Primus Guma Guma Super Star competition in 2014.
Jay Polly has since been jailed and later released after five months in jail for assault while Fireman has done several stints in rehab for drug addiction.
Diplomate
A rapper whose verses are full of ‘historical’ content, Diplomate Fasasi’s music can’t be written off.
Diplomate Fasasi. / Courtesy
A big number of Hip Hop fans have fond memories of the rapper’s songs like ‘Kure y’imbibi’, inzu y’ibitabo, Umucakara w’ibihe and Ikaramu among tens of hits he recorded over the past decade.
editor@newtimesrwanda.com