Post-group careers are not easy to navigate and when a music band breaks up, not too many of its members go on to have solo success. While it’s not quite common, some of the artistes who chose to leave their groups are now more popular than their original claim to fame. In no particular order, we look at the top five artistes who went solo and became successful artistes. Safi Madiba The former Urban Boys member is currently based in Canada pursuing a music career as a solo artiste. On November 4, 2017, on an Instagram post, Safi announced that his journey with Urban Boys had come to an end after 10 years of working together. He then got signed under The Mane Record and made many hits like ‘Got It,’ featuring Meddy, ‘Kontwari,’ ‘My Hero,’ ‘Sounds,’ ‘She Says Yes’ featuring Fizzo among others. In 2018, Safi launched his label Nukuri Music and signed a hip-hop and R&B artiste called Darcy Muhoza. He is now working on an album dubbed ‘Back to Life’ which he says has a special meaning and is composed of 30 songs. Danny Vumbi ‘Ni Danger’ hitmaker is among the most experienced artistes in the music industry today. In 2004, he founded a group alongside Victor Fidele and Fikiri Nshimiyimana then called ‘The Brothers’. The band made different hit songs but unfortunately, they went separate ways but Danny and Ziggy 55 kept doing music as solo artistes. Danny is well known for being among the best songwriters in Rwanda and that gives his songs a big win to becoming big hits. Born Daniel Semivumbi, the singer has launched three albums since embarking on a solo career. Most of his songs that have earned massive airplay include ‘Abana babi’, Umugozi’, ‘Yibare’, ‘Ni danger’ and ‘Baragowe’ among others. Platini Platini was part of a boy-band called Dream Boys together with TMC who later on left the country to continue his studies in the United States. After TMC’s departure Platini was left with no choice but to kick off a solo career. When the duo split after a decade-long journey in music together speculations arose saying that Platini will struggle by himself, however, he showed that he was prepared to go solo. Platini has shown that he is even better with his most hit songs that won him awards. He recently signed a deal with an entertainment company from Nigeria called One Percent International and is soon to release a new song. He impressed many people with his performances at My Talent Live Concert and Iwacu Muzika Festival. Some of his hit songs are ‘Veronica,’ ‘Nta birenze’ and ‘Atansiyo’ among others. Kenny Sol Kenny Sol was a member of Yemba Voice, a group of three boys who graduated at Nyundo Art College and formed a group after completing their music studies. After the band made a name in the music industry, they decided to do music separately. Kenny Sol was later on signed under Bruce Melodie’s label ‘Igitangaza’ and he made big hits like ‘Agafire,’ ‘Haso,’ and ‘Ikinyafu’ among others. He is also mostly known to be among the best writers in Rwanda today. He is now not signed under any label but many are appreciating his songs and talent day by day, as he promises to keep doing his best.
