Rwandans and fans of Rwandan music are still struggling to come to terms with the death of Yvan Buravan, one of the best R&B and afro-beat singers the country has ever had. The singer succumbed to pancreatic cancer in India on Wednesday, August 17. His contribution to not just R&B, pop and afro-beat music but music in general was undeniable. As a tribute to the award winning singer, Weekender brings you 10 of his greatest tracks, in no particular order.
‘Malaika’
On July 6, 2016, Buravan released one of the biggest tracks in the history of Rwandan music, ‘Malaika’, a slow love song. From 2016, it made its way into commercial radio and stayed there for some time. ‘Malaika’ really brought Buravan and R&B music further into mainstream and it also guaranteed his pathway to success. Produced by Bob Pro, the song generated over 1,000,000 streams on different platforms.
‘Garagaza’
Arguably Buravan’s biggest track, with over two million streams, ‘Garagaza’ was an instant success, playing everywhere in Rwanda and the East African region. It was produced by Bob Pro, directed by Meddy Saleh, and featured Buravan’s dad, Michel Burabyo.
‘Ninjye Nawe’
‘Ninjye Nawe’ was among the most loved and played songs on Buravan’s debut album, ‘Love Lab’. Like many of his tracks, it has killer vocals, making it instantly memorable. ‘Njye Nawe’ is still an amazing R&B song to date.
‘Just a dance’
On December 6, 2016, Buravan blessed Rwandans with a tune that was later remixed by AY, one of the biggest rappers in Africa. ‘Just a Dance’ was a new vibe different to the slow songs Buravan was making at the time. It was a fusion of zouk and afro-beat produced by one of the top music producers in Rwanda, Pastor P. The uniqueness of this track contributed to the rise of Buravan’s music career in not only Rwanda, but the whole East African region.
‘Oya’
‘Oya’ is another of Buravan’s successful projects produced by Pastor P that made waves. It was the first song to be released on the track list of ‘Love Lab’, Buravan’s maiden album.
The presence of Shaddy Boo, a socialite in Rwanda, and Meddy Saleh, the father of her kids, in the songs video contributed to the more than two million views on YouTube it got. It is credited to be Buravan’s most loved song to this day.
‘Bindimo’
‘Bindimo’ is among the first songs released by Buravan since he rose to fame in 2015, produced by New Level record label and Bob Pro, and directed by long-time collaborator, Meddy Saleh.
‘Si Belle’
‘Si Belle’ is Buravan’s most played track in clubs and pubs of Kigali because of its groovy vibes. It is among the tracks released on his first album ‘Love Lab’ with over one million streams on YouTube.
‘VIP’
One of the many incredible collabos Buravan ever made in his music career is ‘VIP’. The track appeared on his recently released album and features Ish Kevin, a trending rapper in Kigali.
It was Buravan’s first time to make a rap song, a move that won the hearts of the younger generation in Rwanda. Produced by Pro Zed in the drill genre, ‘VIP’ has over 100, 000 streams on different platforms.
‘YE Ayee’
‘Ye Ayee’ is the most trending song on Buravan’s second album with close to one million views on YouTube within less than a year. It consists of both traditional and modern sounds, as well as Buravan’s great vocals.
‘Ni Yesu’
‘Ni Yesu’ is the most recently released video of Buravan and the only gospel song on ‘Twaje’, his second album. It premiered on April 3, 2022, on all major steaming platforms. It was produced by Holly Beat with additional key melodies of G Flat, one of the best piano players in Rwanda.