Renowned Rwandan rapper Ish Kevin has been announced among the next generation of African creatives and visionaries who are boldly pushing culture forward while making impact on the continent’s creative economy, across music, film, media, fashion, and art.
An innovative new initiative from Johnnie Walker and Trace Africa, the list comes after two months of rigorous searching with top talent managers and industry leaders across the continent to identify a definitive list of pan-African cultural shape shifters.
Dubbed ‘Keep Walking’, the Africa Top 30 list includes names who are impacting global culture such as music producer, Tempoe who produced C Kay's global phenomenon "Love Nwantiti”, Amapiano star Musa Keys, film director Meji Alabi, visual artist Prince Giyasi and Ish Kevin of Rwanda.
Reacting to the development, Ish Kevin told The New Times that being part of the ‘Keep Walking’ list is a milestone that indicates how Rwandan music is reaching places.
The young rapper who’s single, "No Cap”, acclaimed as one of the hardest Drill songs of the year by GRM Daily, also believes that appearing on the same rankings with some of Africa’s iconic musicians like Tempoe and Ruger will motivate other young Rwandan creatives to rise.
"I am so excited to be nominated as one of Africa’s next-generational cultural shapeshifters. Thank you Trace and Johnie walker for selecting a youngin Kigali boy among the ‘Keep Walking’ Africa top 30,” he said
"I have been making music for Rwandans but it’s time to also make music for the world. I won’t disappoint my fans, I’m just starting,” he added.
As for the future, Ish Kevin says, "Putting Rwandan music on an international level is my main ambition.”
The young rapper also revealed that he has been cooking in the studio and has a new EP that will drop soon.
After announcing Keep Walking Africa top 30, Valentine Gaudin-Muteba, Trace Managing Director, Southern Africa said, "We’re thrilled to have been able to bring this new awards platform to life along with Johnnie Walker and to identify this inspirational group of cultural shapeshifters. They all follow their own paths and, in doing so, bring nuance and progress to African culture; for which the world is taking notice”.
Ish Kevin, has been cast as the architect of a new Rwandan cultural movement, a localised trap genre with global ambitions. The rapper, songwriter, digital influencer, and entrepreneur is among the most loved Rwandan musicians in Rwanda.
His single, "No Cap”, a sturdy banger acclaimed as one of the hardest Drill songs of the year by GRM Daily, helped to build Ish Kevin’s popularity, leading up to his recent, stadium-sized, headlining concert.
His latest release "Trappish2”, a seven-track mixtape features a number of well-known musicians, both locally and internationally. Ish Kevin’s lyricism has been recognized across the continent with a nomination in the Senegalese-based Galsen Hip Hop Awards.