Rwandan musicians Nel Ngabo and Platini P are joining forces on a new album titled Vibranium, which is scheduled for release on August 29.
Both artists are signed to Kina Music and announced the project during a media briefing held Friday, July 11, in Kigali.
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The press conference gathered a mix of artists, producers and key players in Rwanda’s creative industry who contributed to the project.
Clement Ishimwe, CEO of Kina Music and executive producer of the album, said the original release date was pushed back from July 11 to allow time for new partners and sponsors to support the rollout.
Ishimwe produced most of the tracks himself and confirmed the album will feature eight songs created in collaboration with several of Rwanda’s top producers, including Mamba, Davydenko, and Element.
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"This is a rich work of art that brought together some of the best creative minds in our industry,” said Ishimwe.
"Some of the songs will begin dropping next week, and we can’t wait for the public to hear what we’ve been working on.”
To promote the album, Kina Music has lined up a slate of marketing strategies aimed at both local and international audiences. These include mini concerts around Rwanda, listening parties, a potential international tour, and social media campaigns.
"Rwandan music has come a long way and we have a strong home base, but the challenge now is in expanding our global reach,” Ishimwe said.
Platini P said the album title was inspired by Black Panther, the Marvel film that introduced vibranium as a fictional metal powering the futuristic African nation of Wakanda.
"We named it Vibranium because of what it symbolizes in the film. It reflects both the present and the future. This album has the same energy, and we believe it’s going to change the game,” he said.
For Nel Ngabo, the collaborative process opened creative doors beyond his usual R&B sound.
"Working with Platini and different producers allowed me to explore genres like Afro Piano, Amapiano, and Afrobeats,” he said. "It was refreshing. I think I’ll continue producing music in these styles.”