The Rwandan music is growing at a high pace, and 2025 promises to be an even bigger year as local artistes continue to make their presence in the regional charts noticed. Over the past few days, several Rwandan artistes have released their first tracks of the year across various genres, setting the stage for an exciting musical year and, as we head into the weekend, The New Times highlights some of the hottest tracks currently trending in Kigali. Ola – Kivumbi King Kivumbi King remains one of Rwanda’s biggest musical exports, and his latest project proves his star power. Following the success of his second album Ganza and his hit single Kinkankane, which made it into the top charts last year, Kivumbi is back with another smash hit titled Ola. The track, produced by his longtime collaborator Kenny Vybz who also produced his breakthrough hit Madam, premiered on March 3 and is currently trending on streaming platforms like YouTube and Spotify. Fire – Alyn Sano Rwandan songstress Alyn Sano, known for her powerful vocals and dynamic live performances, recently blessed her fans with a new track titled Fire. Produced by RUN, Fire has quickly become a favorite in Kigali’s pubs and clubs, racking up over 250,000 YouTube streams in under two weeks. Cinema – Tom Close ft Bull Dogg One of R&B pioneers in Rwanda Tom Close has returned with a smash hit, Cinema, featuring renowned rapper Bull Dogg, a former member of the legendary Tuff Gang Crew that once dominated Rwanda’s hip-hop scene. Produced and mastered by Bob pro, with the video directed by Gad, Cinema premiered on all major streaming platforms on March 3. The song’s catchy rhythm and star-studded collaboration have made it an instant fan favorite. Batashye – Massamba Intore Legendary Gakondo musician Massamba Intore is making waves with his 12th album, Mbonezamakuza, a 27-track masterpiece celebrating Rwanda’s liberation struggle, patriotism, and his artistic legacy. One of the standout tracks is Batashye which is the 22nd song on the album. The song resonates with listeners, earning widespread admiration. The album also features other notable tracks such as Rwabihama, Amagaju, and Tsinda, blending traditional Rwandan rhythms with contemporary influences.
