Ama G The Black is a household name in Rwanda’s music and entertainment scene. Today, many might know him for his funny interview clips which circulate on social media, especially Instagram and TikTok. Before that, he was more known for his hard-hitting rap verses, witty lyrics, and collaborations with artistes like Safi Niyibikora, formerly of Urban Boys, Bruce Melodie, Deejay Pius, Mr. Kagame and others, over the past two decades. Known for songs such as ‘Nyabarongo’, ‘Igifu’, “Barabure” and others, Ama G The Black, real name Amani Hakizimana, cut his name onto the music scene around 2010, thanks to his lyrics which mainly resonated with real issues in society. Today, if you see him in videos with funny characters like Nzovu and Yaka, you might mistake him for a comedian. Unlike many artists who portray flashy lifestyles on social media, the rapper chose a farm lifestyle in Rwamagana district, Eastern Province, where he currently lives. When you visit his home, it tells a very different story; one of self-reliance, grounded ambition, and a unique perspective on fame, music, and life – far from what is expected of someone in the showbiz industry. Following his directions, we veered off the main Rwamagana highway and headed toward Rugende, into a locality called 'Ku Mafarasi', just below the well-known murram road heading towards Muyumbu. ALSO READ: Ama G gives Rwandan rappers a run for their money As the paved road disappeared behind us and dust kicked up under our wheels, we stopped a few times to ask for directions. Almost everyone we asked, even from a considerable distance, knew exactly where Ama G The Black lives. Their precision was a testament to his visibility and connection within the community. Near the foot of the murram road, a group of children and two teenagers pointed us toward his home without hesitation. We drove downhill and arrived at a modest compound which was neither ostentatious nor hidden, but vibrant in its own way. When we called him, a woman welcomed us at the gate, ushering us into a sitting room that also doubles as his home studio. There was Ama G The Black: dressed casually in a white overall and a baseball cap, radiating calmness. He greeted us warmly, offered us refreshments, and despite his celebrity status, exuded none of the airs one might expect. His demeanour carried the quiet assurance of someone who had built a life on his own terms. Growing up with curiosity Ama G was born on July 4, 1990, in Kanombe, into a family of six children. Growing up near a military camp exposed him early to resilience, survival, and independence. His upbringing, as he recalls, was not marked by luxury but by lessons that would later define his character. When asked about his education, he chuckles. “I studied in many schools, not because I am too educated, but because I had to move from one school to another, again, not because I wanted to change schools, but I would be expelled,” he says. ALSO READ: Rapper AmaG The Black, Umushumba, and rising star ‘Umujura’ thrill Gen Z crowd He started off in Remera, ‘Mu Ruturusu’, where he did his nursery before he joined primary at EPGN Nyandungu, often called ‘Kwa Hajji’ and he continued his O’Level in Bungwe, formerly known as Byumba, now Gicumbi district. “I didn’t stay put. I moved around constantly. Sometimes I was expelled for minor things: once for asking what long hair has to do with academic performance, and another time for taking a car to school, which riled the school administration. “But every experience taught me something about life and people,” Hakizimana says, adding that all those challenges did not deter him. “Even though I faced many challenges, I persevered. I eventually finished high school. I didn’t continue to university; I went straight into music. I consider music my university,” he says. Discovering Music The heartbeat of Ama G’s story is music. It was not something he stumbled into; it was something he pursued with clear intent. “I loved American rap. The likes of Ja Rule, DMX, Tupac, Notorious BIG,” he recalls, his voice carrying a mix of nostalgia and determination. “I didn’t have the schooling to understand all their lyrics, so I sought someone to explain them to me. I wanted to understand, not just imitate.” He remembers approaching a tutor who was eventually chased by his parents. “They told him to stop coming home, so I would find him at his place to learn. I couldn’t stop. I wanted to know everything,” he says. ALSO READ: AmaG The Black, Peace Jolis condemn corruption in new song ‘Inkebebe’ Unlike many of his peers he started with at the time, Hakizimana was not drawn to RnB, reggae, or reggaeton. “I didn’t grow up loving those genres. I grew up knowing I would be a rapper, but I also gave myself a goal: to win awards for my genre in Rwanda, even as a primary school student. That goal stuck with me,” he says. The hustler’s instinct Today, Hakizimana focuses on music, farming, and being a technician who repairs fridges. “I do it all. That is who I am,” he says, reiterating why to him, work is the most important thing. Before music gave him a platform, Hakizimana experimented with small ventures. He thought of being a barber as a teenager but quickly realized it wasn’t for him. “When I was young, I thought about being a barber, but they said it paid only 200 francs per cut. I knew it wasn’t worth it. Today, barbers can earn up to Rwf 30,000, which wasn’t the case back then,” “I realized there were small ways to make money — selling biscuits, ice and snacks at stadiums, that was during the CECAFA tournament in 2003. I liked finding ways to earn, not wasting time chasing shadows,” he says. Hakizimana says that those little hustles taught him discipline, consistency, and the value of hard work. They may not have made him rich, but they sharpened his instinct to pursue bigger dreams. The breakthrough Every artist has a turning point, and for Ama G, it came through songs that resonated with ordinary people. “Some liked my song Igifu, others liked Nyabarongo, Umuntu, Uruhinja, or Care. But the song that truly made people talk about me is Ikariso y’Icyuma. It means metallic underwear.” He chuckles at the memory. “It was bold, funny, and people began noticing my perspective. That’s when I realized music could have impact beyond entertainment. Some laughed, some were shocked, but everyone listened. That’s when I knew music could shape conversation.” The economics of music Despite his fame, Hakizimana has no illusions about the business side of music. “Music earns money, but it can also drain it. I could spend two million francs on recording a song and Rwf4m on promoting it. That is Rwf6m and a year goes by without a single booking. Where is the profit?” he ponders. The rapper says many artists spend more than they earn and without side hustles, it becomes almost impossible to maintain the standards. He emphasizes the importance of managing one’s brand. “You have to control yourself carefully; control your music, your image and your lifestyle, instead of just keeping up appearances. Life in showbiz is a costly affair, he says, because even leaving the house, an artiste has to look good, so people can respect their work, and that often puts pressure on them. “If you don’t control your music business, your efforts get lost.” Life in Rwamagana: Choosing peace For many artists, Kigali is the centre of opportunity. For Hakizimana, Kigali was noise, and a distraction. He wanted to do farming and he wouldn’t do that in the city. “I decided to start projects that work for me. I realized I couldn’t run them in Kigali; it would drain me. Here, I’m far from showbiz pressures. Friends used to call me to go out, spend money, and wait for returns. But here, I can focus on farming,” “As you can see, I am selling fertilizers, eggs, and chickens. I’m not chasing fame, I’m chasing sustainability,” he says. In Rwamagana, he found space for focus. He led us to his poultry area, where trays of fresh eggs testified to a daily rhythm built on discipline. He showed us two types of chickens- local breeds and hybrids, raised not as a side hobby but as a serious business. Beyond that, his plantation is filled with jackfruit, assorted fruit trees, and food crops. “I tell other artists chasing fake luxury: be yourself. Don’t fake it. Money is wasted if you live someone else’s life. For example, if we see you in a Hummer today, tomorrow we should not see you on a motorbike. You have to sustain that,” he says. For Hakizimana, authenticity matters more than appearances. “People know I rap well; that’s enough. Everything else, like luxury, is temporary.” Farming as discipline Hakizimana began with forty chickens and twenty-one rabbits. Today, he has focussed on chicken mainly, after he was advised to not do many things at the same time. “I focused on one thing; chickens. Now I’m scaling up to hundreds and thousands. Discipline is everything. You must focus on one goal. I learned from a man named Emmanuel, who visited me and advised me to focus on one thing. Focus pays off.” His farm work has begun to attract public attention. “At an expo in Gisenyi, I got on stage and people chanted, ‘Chickens, chickens!’ I was thrilled. They recognized the value of what I do outside music. Chickens make a difference, not just in money, but in life lessons.” Hakizimana’s philosophy is simple but profound: authenticity over illusion. Even his brand partnerships stem from this principle. “I’m a brand ambassador for more than three companies. These opportunities come from music, yes, but also from the reputation I’ve built as someone disciplined and authentic.” His presence in the community is felt even through his farming. Currently, he employs locals who come to support with farm work. ALSO READ: Ama G the Black joins Super Level Similarly, moving to Rwamagana saved him from the petty showbiz politics and so-called ‘beef’, which artistes sometimes create to remain relevant. “I hate conflicts. I don’t like people speaking badly about others, because I can snap and say something wrong too. I’ve learned to let people be and not take sides, unless you attack me,” “I’ve made an impact in music. People notice when I’m active, and they respect it. But even if a song gets only two views, I still do it. Music is my life,” he says. Candid advice to artistes For young people who wish to join the music industry, eyeing a luxurious life, Hakizimana does not sugarcoat the reality of the music industry. “I cannot stop anyone from joining the music industry, but the path is tricky. One hit song may make you think you’ve arrived, but if you indulge in drugs or waste your money, you start to fail and lose direction,” he says. His advice is grounded in practicality. “Learn to manage your income, understand the business, and respect your craft. Even small earnings should be handled wisely. Discipline is critical in every aspect of life, whether it is music, farming, business. That’s what carries you forward,” he says. Upcoming projects Hakizimana is currently working on his fifth album, ‘Nyagasambu’, named after a local area rich in cultural resonance. “It will have ten tracks, including one called ‘Accident mu Ishuka’. I also have songs inspired by faith and daily life. This album reflects who I am; my reality, my people, and my experiences.” For him, music remains not just entertainment but an expression of authenticity. He also has a song about finding a new lover, and that lover is God. “That lover won’t ask me questions about how I look, what I have, and others. It is a gospel song, but it also tells us that that lover is there for all of us and loves us unconditionally,” he says. An inspiration for others Walking through his farm, hearing him speak about discipline and authenticity, it becomes clear that Hakizimana is not just a rapper or comedian we see on social media. Behind the funny character, he is a farmer, a technician, a realist. His measure of success is not luxury cars or social media likes but the trays of eggs from his chickens, the fruit trees on his land, and the music that continues to resonate with people. “Music, farming, discipline—that’s my formula. That’s how I live, that’s how I thrive,” he says with quiet conviction. ALSO READ: Things you didn’t know about Amag The Black and Christopher In an industry often dominated by flash and fleeting fame, Hakizimana stands out as a reminder that authenticity endures. His journey, from a boy in Kanombe chasing the lyrics of Notorious BIG to a man in Rwamagana raising chickens and writing music, proves that one can be a star and still remain grounded. Hakizimana’s story is not just about rap or farming. It is about choosing to live fully, deliberately, and on one’s own terms. And in that choice, he has become more than an artist. He has become a model of resilience, focus, and truth in an industry riddled with wastage and difficult lifestyles to maintain. Today, he only starts his car engine when he is going to buy chicken feed, deliver eggs or go for a gig. Before that, he says his car was always packed with “his boys” as they stormed the city, looking for plot and hanging out. He is redefining what it means to be successful in Rwanda’s music industry. He shows that real wealth is not measured by cars, champagne, or views; it’s measured by the ability to create, sustain, and live with purpose. For Hakizimana, that means music, chickens, and a life fully his own.
