It is a bit challenging when you are starting up as a musician, especially when you imagine when you will ever make a breakthrough.  

Some artistes even record about one or two songs and lose hope. They become completely forgotten and erased from the music scene, as fresh talents unveil. 

To those that still give it a try, it isn’t as easy as it seems. Imagine sending a music demo to music producers just to inquire whether it’s good enough or for any advice of where to polish, but sit back to wait for a response in vain. Or take an example of organising a concert and you sing to empty chairs. It is a bit devastating. 

Well, how about the canceled shows and other worse circumstances that could demoralize you even before getting anywhere?

We talked to some upcoming and fairly established Rwandan artistes and asked them to weigh in on some of the challenges they encounter in their music career. 

Kevin Shema Kananura, aka Kevin Skaa, who is known for his song "Down Slow” and "Special” said that some of the gloom that new artistes meet in their career is limited connections as no one wants to work with them in the beginning. 

He highlighted that lack of experience in writing and recording can mess up the song hence failing to meet the audience’s needs or expectations. 

"Many upcoming artistes need a helping hand by those who are already in the industry? If you discover some talent in someone, support them in any way you can, it doesn’t have to necessarily be financial,” said Kevin Skaa.

He also called upon the media to be a stepping stone by offering a platform to the new artistes through interviews, writing about or playing their music. 

Another point that is quite obvious that he painted, was the lack of finances to produce music. That’s why many musicians are not consistent in their music. 

"Bindimo” hitmaker Yvan Buravan said that he also found it difficult to claim fame. He said, people believing in an artiste is the first step forward in making it to the music industry. This is possible through expressing themselves as musicians in matters that are current or those that the public can relate to. 

Buravan stressed that sometimes artistes’ art doesn’t trend because they want to give what they don’t have due to influence from other singers. 

For upcoming Consolee Ruhimbaza, whose stage name is Lucky Coco-with singing experience of six years noted that female artistes are taken advantage of by male artistes and producers to make them famous. Although some resist having sexual relationships with them, others fall into their traps just to make a name. Yet at times, nothing is even achieved after robing their dignity. 

She also added that, while starting to sing, new artistes have many expectations-hoping that they will be supported, unfortunately, it turns out that they are on their own. "Who wants to make a collabo with someone who is not known yet?” she stressed. 

Lucky Coco, however, highlighted that such impediments that many musicians experience on their way to success, are part of their journey. Nevertheless, with the right knowledge and determination, they can triumph.