We’ve seen Rwandan music make giant strides last year and part of this success would be attributed to creative producers. Music producers in Rwanda have, in the last few years, gone from being room producers that use Fruit Loops to develop a beat or melodies, to becoming relevant shot callers, especially as investors are starting to show interest in them.
In 2022, producers like Element, Ehlers, the youngest of Loud Sound Music among others played a big role in putting Rwandan music on the global map and more are joining the list and showing signs of making things happen this year.
Here are some of the producers we’re keeping an eye on from 2023 and beyond.
X on the Beat
X on the Beat is no newcomer to the Rwandan music scene. He has, in the past, worked with big names like Ariel Ways, Mr Kagame, Alyn Sano among many others. He started to garner momentum in 2022 after producing ‘Radiyo’, Alyn Sano’s hit that made rounds in Rwanda’s music industry and contributed to the artistes’ comeback as well as giving X on The Beat a place in the local music industry.
X on the beat, who is signed under Hi5 Entertainment shares an interesting chemistry with Ruti Joel, producing all 10 tracks off the singer’s latest album, 'Musomandera’ which is number one trending in the country.
He produced the project’s most popular tracks such as 'Musomandera', 'Cunda', 'Nyambo' and others, all which make him one of the producers to make things happen in 2023.
Kozze
If Element leaves Country records, the studio will not be dettered as many think. The studio and music house, which is one of the biggest in the country, has one of the most talented young music producers who are showing signs of taking music to greater paths.
Kozze, real name Jean Pierre Irakoze, was the second producer to enter the studio following Element Pro who is said to have left the studio and joined 1:55am Entertainment.
The producer, who graduated at Nyundo School of arts and music, is behind influential hits of 2022 including 'Umwana' of Kevin Kade, 'Your Boyfriend' by Davis D, 'Kanjenje' of Papa Cyangwe and Bushali’s 'Kurura' among others, all which showcases how unique Kozze’s production skills are.
Micheal Makembe
Producer Michael Makembe journeys into the hinterland to record traditional sounds is what makes him one of the best music producers in Rwanda today and one to watch in the future.
He is best known for fusing traditional sounds with modern styles of music as seen on different tracks he produced in the past including ‘Generation’, that appeared on Ish Kevin’s Trapish Mixtape 2, 'Nkombo Sounds', a collection of sounds he records at Nkombo Island and mix them with modern sounds among others.
He is positioned to take Rwandan music to greater heights with his sub genres that give Rwandan music origin.
Kenny Vibz
Kenny Vibz has turned himself into an Afrobeats powerhouse ever since he started producing for Kivumbi King.
With a well-known tag (Kenny On The Beat!), you know it’s a hit, records like Nillan’s "Nonstop” and Confy’s ‘Comfirm’ are just a few to mention from his catalog, with the latest being Kivumbi’s club banger "Salute.”
Kenny’s production touch and music arrangements is what makes him one of the best producers in Rwanda’s music scene and one to watch this year. He’s a beat machine.
Bailey Pro
Bailey’s breakout single had everyone thinking Drill was his main genre, but he seemed to have gone soul searching, experimenting on his sounds.
With the help of fellow musicians, he has morphed himself into one of Rwanda’s best-diversified prospects. His best project so far is Ish Kevin and Ycee’s ‘Clout’, a hard drill banger released on Ish Kevin’s Trappish mixtape 2.
From Ariel Wayz’s "Demo” to ‘Sad Boys’, it is safe to say that the young producer is just getting started, and has a lot in store to showcase this year.