Two years after introducing themselves on the music scene, Team Kumba is now focused on establishing itself as one of the music bands to reckon with after releasing their debut Extended Play (EP) ‘Igikumba’ last week. Team Kumba is an Electronic DJ and producer duo originating from Rwanda, consisting of Jacques Nkinzingabo also known as DJ Motari and Amdallah Hirwa Christian, also known as Kavumbi Dust. The duo are, through the EP, developing their breakthrough from Rwandan music scene to producing an African dance music, taking cues from the continent’s dominant Afrobeats sound and blending it effortlessly with the electronic influences known from the dancefloors of Southern and Eastern Africa like Afro house, dancehall. Rising from its core interest and enjoyment of electronic music, Team Kumba is making inroads into the mainstream music and has a uniqueness delivery into mainstream music industry. IgiKumba is a collection of six songs reflecting the raw energy and communal spirit of Rwanda’s rising underground/mainstream scene, adding Team Kumba’s own electronic influences and global outlook. Conscious of their roots, their sound blends the traditional musical elements of Rwanda with digital production. The songs comprising the EP are tales of the experiences of the young Rwandese, between hopes for a more prosperous future (Nyiramubindi); the need to be yourself and not let society define one’s destiny (Rubanda); the struggle of young independent women at odds with society’s traditional images of females (Mabigibigi). The latter is a collaboration with Amalon. The duo are also joined by Kinyatrap artists Bushali and B-Threy in their song Inkono. The collaborations was done shortly after Bushali’s release from prison in 2019. Reflecting on the latest EP, DJ Motari said, “This is an attempt to define the unifying sound of a new generation, aware of its past but looking to the future with fearless confidence” Team Kumba has been recording the songs since 2019 but their project was marred by the Covid-19 outbreak in March and the duo were forced to put them on hold when the country was put in the first total lockdown. They resumed recording the EP shortly after when the lockdown was eased in the wake of the summer last year. “Our main goal was to produce electronic Rwanda music that could be a fit in the club but which also reflect on the life we live today,” said DJ Motari. They were supposed to release the EP early last year but their plans were thwarted by covid-19 outbreak which forced artistes that were supposed to feature on the EP not to show up. “We had some delays with some artists due to covid-19 and we haven’t been able to release music until last week,” he said With its latest EP, Team Kumba hopes the project will put the country on the musical map and define the irreverent sound of a new generation. The EP is available on all digital platforms worldwide.
