Ben Adolphe, real name Adolphe Murinda, has come of age. The graduate of Nyundo Art School last week released what promises to be a hit song, Aba Ex (exes), featuring former Dream Boys’ singer Platini Nemeye (P). The song talks about how exes get jealous when they see their former lovers with classier new partners. The New Times’ Jeannette Kawera spoke to Ben Adolphe about the video, which has already garnered about 60,000 YouTube views in a span of three days. Excerpts: What’s the story behind your song? It talks about exes whose place is taken by smarter and more beautiful lovers and they work themselves up as a result. It is a song that we planned well and invested in. Is it based on a true story, involving either you or Platini (P)? Not at all. It has nothing to do with us. It was just an idea from Platini (P) that sprung up as we were in the studio for production; it was inspired by the kind of stories you see trending on Rwandan YouTube content. You often see titles like, “If only they knew what was said about them they would even commit suicide.” It is just a love song. Where did you shoot the video from? We shot the video at Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania and used a private jet. Why did you choose to do a collaboration with Platini (P)? Platini (P) is such a good singer, he is so talented and is a good performer. He is also humble, and it is so obvious he’s hitting currently, any artist would want to do a collabo with him. He’s also known to do quality things, that’s why I couldn’t ask him to do a song from, let’s say, Rubavu. I mean he’s done songs in Dubai. That’s the standard, so I had to challenge myself and aim high. Do you have a management team? Who supports your music financially? Unfortunately, I don’t have a management team at the moment to help me in my music career. I would be happy to have one, a team that would help me reach my full potential. My family and friends support my projects. How much did you spend on that video? It was, of course, so expensive to do a video shoot at Julius Nyerere International Airport. It required a lot of money and we had to use a private jet which was charged per hour and then getting models and beauty queens on board was an additional cost. I would say the video cost us not less than USD8, 000. A private jet was used to shoot the ‘Aba Ex’ video at Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Platini (P) is featured in Ben Adolphe’s new song.
