As far as the music industry in Rwanda is concerned, none is ruling the airwaves and dominating concert appearances like these youngsters. They have performed at various occasions, wowed crowds with their amazing talent and they don’t look like they are about to stop any time soon. Here are the youngsters steadily climbing the ladder to the top of Rwanda’s music industry. Jody Phibi The talented RnB musician first caught our attention when she released the hit single Ni Njye Nawe back in 2012. However, she had to first navigate the rough waters in the music industry. She battled rumours about her alleged relationship with producer/musician Auddy and media reports that she is among the top six divas who dress skimpily. She has released hit singles such Ndacyashidikanya, Nijye nawe, Sinzagutererana and her recent release Tenderness. She is a musician watch out for in 2014. Diane Teta At 21 years of age, she is popular on the airwaves, performing with big names in traditional music, acting in theatre and writing songs. The multi-talented songstress was nominated for this year’s Salax Awards in the “Best New Artist” category and earned herself a spot among the top ten finalists of Primus GumaGuma Superstar Season 4 music competition (PGSS4). She has a smooth voice and a unique talent of being able to balance singing traditional and mainstream music. She recently released Kata which topped radio countdown chats. Her other hits include Undi Munsi, Canga Ikarita Fata Fata and Call me. Not an artiste to miss this year. Edouce The Afro beat musician is another singing sensation on the Rwandan music scene. Edouce kicked off his music career in 2010 with mediocre songs but 2013 was a big year for him. His biggest strength lies in his vocals. However, that didn’t get him through the elimination process of PGGSS 4. Nonetheless, his talent is good enough to make it to this list. He has released hit singles such as Akandi ku Mutima, Oxygen and Nari Ngukumbuye among others. Active Nine months down the road, Active is slowly making their name in the music industry. They are among the top ten finalists of PPGGS 4 music competition, leading nominees at the Salax Music Awards and the third popular boy band in Rwanda after Urban Boyz and Dream Boyz. Their strength lies in their ability to sing and dance at the same time. They have made several performances including performing at the Miss Rwanda 2014 finale. Their hit singles include Udukoryo twinshi, Ayaiya and a collabo with Danny Nanone, Udukoryo Twinshi. Bruce Melody The youngster has incredible vocals that have seen him record songs with artistes such as Jamal from Uganda, Bull Dog, Jay Polly, and Green P among others. He made the final cut to make it among the top ten competitors in PGGSS 4. He started his career in 2010 and released hits such as Tubivemo, Ndumiwe, Telephone, Uzandabure and Agakayi. He recently launched his album Ndumiwe at Serena Hotel amidst a fully packed house. His album was nominated in the Best Album of the Year category at the Salax Awards. Jules Sentore Jules Sentore comes from a family of musical geniuses; Intore Masaamba, Athanse Sentore and recently featured alongside Cecile Kayirebwa as part of Gakondo traditional music group. He was nominated in the Best Traditional category at the Salax Awards this year and made it through to the final round of PGGSS 4. His hit singles include Udatsikira, Urabe Intwari and Akazuba. Young Grace Talking about the proverbial cat with nine lives, one immediately relates to talented rapper Young Grace. She had missed out on being among the contestants of PPGGSS 4 until Knowless pulled out and the organisers substituted her with Young Grace. Her energetic performance at the first elimination round of PGGSS 4 proves that she didn’t take the chance lightly and made it through the next round. She owns a studio in Gisenyi where she has recorded mega-hit songs such as Bingo, I am back, You wanna dance and Queen of the jungle among others. Alistide Once Again This talented 22-year-old is one of the few musicians with strong vocals. His melodious voice was first heard when he did back-up acts for Jay C and Bull Dogg before going solo. His biggest strength lies in his stage performances. In 2008, he founded a gospel music group with Jules Sentore and Theogene but they later went their separate ways. He missed out on PGGSS 4 but he is one musician to look out for in 2014. He is currently under Producer Piano and has massive hits like Uhora Aseka, Ndagukumbuye, Come To Me, and I’m Sorry”. Trezzor Rock is a genre that is still foreign to most Rwandans but three multi-talented young men came together to put up Rwanda’s first and only rock band. Each member plays a musical instrument; Yves Kana is a guitarist and the lead singer, Danny is a drummer and Masabo is a pianist. The group that met while at university have recorded several songs and performed at various concerts. They have recorded songs with Ben Kayiranga, Jay Polly and Ally Soudou. They are currently working on their second album Ubuzima which will be released very soon. Their songs include Sinjya kure featuring Ben Kayiranga, On Campus, Uw’agaciro, Incuti nziza featuring Ally Soudou and Winca integer featuring Jay Polly. Passen We have seen RnB/Afro beat boy band groups; a rock band and now we top it up with a hip-hop group. Passen is the only rapping duo in Rwanda. Having started their music career last year, Kays and YB, the members of Passen, are rocking the radio stations with their latest hit-single Va Kubutaka. They prize themselves on blending hip-hop with Afro beat tunes. They have so far released two songs Iteka ryase featuring Favour (one of the young talented musicians) and Va Kubutaka. They are attached to Touch Records under the guidance of producer Trackslayer.
