Igor Mabano, a renowned musician and music educator in Rwanda, has emphasized the importance of education in nurturing creative talent, particularly in the music industry.
Mabano was the guest at the Gen Z Comedy Show on Thursday, June 26, during the ‘Meet Me Tonight’ section where show organiser and comedian Fally Merci hosts different celebrities for a one-on-one chat before the audience.
Mabano reminded young creatives that natural talent alone is no longer enough in today’s fast-changing world.
"We all have talents, but today’s world demands learning,” the singer said, pointing out how education helps artists refine their craft and understand the business side of the industry.
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He noted that even prestigious institutions like Nyundo School of Music expect applicants to already show some potential before enrollment.
"You need at least 10 or 30 percent of talent for them to know where to start with you,” he explained.
Igor Mabano also reflected on how technology is transforming the creative space, saying, "We’re now in the AI era, you ask it for a beat, and it makes one in two seconds.”
Despite such advances, he stressed that formal training remains critical for helping creatives understand how to navigate markets, jobs, and life beyond the art itself.
He added that education empowers artists to stand independently, beyond relying solely on external support.
"When you study, you discover other ways to survive because you understand the music business.”
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The ‘Meet Me Tonight’ is part of the Gen Z Comedy show which is dedicated to giving up and coming comedians a platform to show what they can offer to the comedy community.
The bimonthly event which takes place at Kigali Conference and Exhibition Village (former Camp Kigali grounds) this week brought together a host comedian to the stage.
The likes of Muhinde, Clement Ishimwe alias Inkirigito, Kepa and Admin Seka were among performers that cracked jokes on the night.