MUSIC PRODUCER Zizou Iradukunda, best known as Zizou Al Pacino, has defended his decision to sample an oldie by legendary Impala music ensemble in his new song, ‘Jya Uba Romantic’.

"Sampling is acceptable in the music world,” he told The New Times this week, hitting out at critics who questioned his decision to borrow a line from the golden hit ‘Narakurebye Ndakwitegereza’ for opening lyrics (and chorus) of his new song.

He said: "All I did was sampling, that’s all. What matters for me is the finished product, do people like it?”

Released over the weekend, Zizou Al Pacino’s new romantic song features household names Riderman and King James.

The producer has previously composed and worked on beats for hit songs such as ‘Bagupfusha Ubusa’, ‘Vuba Vuba’, ‘Karibu Nyumbani’, all of which featured big names in the industry.

His new song talks about couples that are romantic in private but then act as strangers whenever they are in public.

"I spend most of my life in the studio with artistes and I know some of their secrets. Sometimes whenever an artiste is with their partner alone they are romantic but then hide it in public, say at a concert, and I think that is not fair at all," Zizou Al Pacino said.

Asked why he decided to feature Riderman and King James in his latest song, he said the former’s name springs to mind whenever he thinks of a top Rwandan hip hop artiste while the latter is one of best around on matters chorus.