Peter Nshuti a.k.a Trackslayer, is producer at Touch Records in Nyamirambo who has cut a niche as one of atop Hip-hop music producers in Rwanda. The 21-year-old has done stints at several recording studios before settling at his current work station from where Arnold Agaba had a chat with him. When and how did you become a producer? Trackslayer I have always had a passion for music production; so I decided to learn how it is done. I began in 2003 when I was still in form one at Lycee de Kigali—learning through internet tutorials how to put together beats by using simple software like Fl studios. Gradually I moved to more advanced operating software like the latest software called I-Mac which was given to me by renowned Ugandan producer, Washington Selecta. How did your family view your career choice? It was really hard convincing my family members that music production was the thing for me; they initially thought that this would make me drop out of school or pick up nasty habits along the way. They also disliked the fact that I was spending nights in the studio recording songs. However, when they saw me making progress in the music Industry and making money out of it, that was when they started respecting my work. What projects have you worked on so far? I have worked on several albums and singles for local artistes in Rwanda and Rwandan artistes in the Diaspora. For example, I worked on the whole album of former Tuff Gang member, Green P called ‘Kandagira abanzi’ which has songs like ‘Umunsi kumunsi.’ I have also worked on songs by Bull Dogg like ‘Umusaza’, ‘Amajyambere,’ and worked with Neg-G on songs like ‘Icyayi Gishushe.’ I have also worked on projects for female musicians like Cinny on her song called ‘Mama Afrika’ and others like controversial rapper P-fla, Ganza, Vickson, Naason. What is your take on the Hip-hop genre in Rwanda? Hip-hop music in Rwanda is rising at a fast pace, most of the young generation in Rwanda love hip-hop. However, young artistes face obstacles because there are companies that do not support to Hip-hop artistes and yet the same companies give support to artistes who do other genres. Most of the past Primus Guma Guma shows were won by Hip-hop artistes.This is the reason that popular rappers like Jay Polly are bending Hip-hop and other genres like Zouk and afro beat in order to woo companies for sponsorship. What should artistes particularly know about you? I am an easy going and hardworking person who likes helping younger people to realise their dreams whenever I can. I normally go upcountry to help up-and-coming artistes get a chance to record their songs. I have mobile equipment that I use for these upcountry tours. For example we are going to Rwamagana, soon, to help younger artistes to record songs. What is cooking in your kitchen? I am currently working on beats for Diplomate’s forthcoming album and am also working with Riderman and Bull Dogg. There are also some Rwandan Hip-hop artistes living in the USA called ‘The Giants,’ who I normally do beats for.
