Seven months ago, one top track ‘Mbali’ was playing everywhere from clubs and bars to the stations. No wonder the track was getting people on the dance floor. But, to the surprise of my, only a few knew that a certain young artiste Chiboo composed and recorded it. He was in his early days in the game...and he is still pushing to get to the top. But what messages does his music convey to his dearly audience? From church choir to emerging Afrobeat sensation, Chiboo, real name Freddy Irakoze, is carving his path in the music industry with a message of love and unity. In his melodious voice that effortlessly blends raw emotion and technical precision, Chiboo has quickly captured the attention of listeners seeking authenticity in the Afrobeat genre. Born on June 6, 2002, the 23-year-old artist began his musical journey at the age of six when he joined the church choir at ADEPR SEGEM alongside his mother, who became his earliest musical inspiration. I grew up watching my mother sing in the choir. She inspired me tremendously and that's where my love for music began,” he told The New Times. Although his musical foundation was built in church, Chiboo took his passion to the professional level in 2023. His debut single Abatwin gained modest attention, but it was his second track Mbali that provided an impressive breakthrough he is enjoying at the moment. His catalog has since expanded to songs likes Okipe, while new single titled Vazi is slated for imminent release. When asked about what drives his creative process, Chiboo emphasizes the central role that love plays in his music. “I'm drawn to love because that's where I find myself most connected. In every ordinary life, I have the love that extends to people, he explains. He added that he “grew up seeing people who love each other, and it's beautiful.” “But when I encounter those who don't, I consider what role I can play in bringing people together and fostering more love between them. So I channel all of that into my music. Underscoring the philosophy behind his songwriting, Chiboo says, creating art without love renders it hollow. Doing anything right without love is nothing, it's just empty. Despite his passion and talent, Chiboo faces significant hurdles as an independent artiste. The first major challenge he encountered in the music industry is not having management. He handles everything himself, which is difficult. Nevertheless, the young artiste remains optimistic about his music career. Looking ahead to the next five years, Chiboo envisions himself as a successful artiste with a labor management team, a creative force in music, able to collaborate with major artistes and proudly representing his country and culture as a respected musician.
