Six years ago, while still in high school, Social Mula did not consider in his wildest imaginations to pursue a career in music. In 2012, he completed high school and, the following year, immediately embarked on his music hustle. While still a student, he had recorded one song, though only for fun. “When people heard the song, they told me to take music seriously because I had it in me,” he reveals, adding that he started writing songs while still in primary school. His decision to embark on a musical path in 2013 rubbed many the wrong way. “I have many relatives in this town, but they rejected me because of music. They told me I was going to become mayibobo (street child) and take drugs.” At home, he had to take wise counsel from his parents. “My father was proud of me, and when he died last year, he died a happy man. But my mother was scared. She told me to do it but put school first. My father told me, if it’s your passion, do it. Later, I convinced my mother as well, and now she too is proud of me.” In November this year, Mula will be launching his yet-to-be-titled debut album, marking his six year journey in the music industry. And going by the phenomenal success of his hit single, Ma vie, which he dropped late last year, the album launch promises to be a coming-of-age for the R&B crooner. He recorded the song in June last year, and released the audio and video simultaneously on September 30. In just four months, however, the song’s video has already garnered more than a million views on YouTube, a record that even R&B power houses like Meddy and The Ben would acknowledge. Ma vie was the first song Social Mula uploaded on his personal YouTube channel, having previously relied on local music streaming sites. “Last year was a success for me because I did a song that was a big hit. Ma Vie was the biggest thing I did in 2018,” he says proudly. “We were three in the studio (Monster Records), with producer Knox Pro, and Zizou Alpacino. We were in a great mood and wrote the song in the studio. I remember I recorded just one take.” Mula explains that he loves making his music out of spontaneous inspiration. “Even Abanya Kigali, the song that made me who I am today was recorded this way. I can’t start a song from home.” All the feedback he received about the song was great. “With Ma Vie, my music crossed borders. The song is trending and I received so much feedback from other countries.” On why the theme of love dominates in his songs, Mula explains: “Love is everything. Many people sing about love. I grew up listening to love songs. Even a gospel song should be a song of love.” This February, he is dropping a gospel song, and says that in the distant future, he would love to release a gospel album. “I want this year to be bigger for me than last year. I believe that if you do your best, people will follow you. You just have to do your thing.” Presently, he is under no artiste management label, although he has previously worked briefly with renowned local music manager Alex Muyoboke. “I have no management, but I have my support team. Of course, I would wish to have professional management, but our music industry does not have many people who can do that.” editorial@newtimes.co.rw
