When you meet Lydia Abijuru, you’re struck first by her calm presence, and then by the quiet confidence of someone who understands the power of her own voice. Whether she’s performing on stage with Seastars, composing songs that touch the soul, or acting in musical theatre, Abujuru carries a sense of purpose. Her art feels lived, her voice unfiltered, and her story deeply her own. “My love for music came naturally. Of course, my family played a big role as I grew up surrounded by music but it wasn’t something I was pushed into. I saw what my parents and my sisters were doing, and I fell in love with it. I wanted to try it out, and here I am today,” Abijuru told The New Times. Born and raised in Huye District, Southern Province, Abijuru is the fourth child in a family of five, and music has always been part of the family’s rhythm. “The fifth, my little sister, is still very young, but she plays bass and sings too. Music really runs in the family,” she says. Together, they form Seastars, a girl group whose harmonies blend effortlessly, carrying both the intimacy of sisterhood and the strength of shared purpose. Abujuru’s musical journey took a new shape when she joined the Nyundo Music School, one of Rwanda’s most respected institutions for young artists. There, she deepened her technical understanding of music while discovering new ways to express emotion through sound. “I started writing songs at the age of eight. My sisters and I used to write gospel songs together. We actually plan to release those one day.” Her time at the music school gave her the confidence to step fully into her craft. “If we’re talking about officially stepping into the industry, I’d say last year, when I released my first EP. Still, I have a big background in music — it’s always been part of me,” she says. Her debut EP introduced listeners to her unique sound — Afro-soul infused with gospel warmth and R&B emotion. Featuring songs like Ikosa, Igicucu, Meant to Be, and Last Bus, it showcased both her vocal range and her storytelling depth. “If you were to give Lydia one genre, it would be Afro Soul. “Because there are two things I can’t escape — being African and having a soulful voice,” she says. Her artistry isn’t confined to singing alone. She is also a performer and storyteller, having participated in major theatre productions such as The Magic Drum and Dance the Pain. Recently, she starred in Ndabaga The Musical, a Rwandan production that reimagines the legend of a young woman who defied tradition to become a warrior. Working with Ishyo Arts Centre, one of the leading creative spaces nurturing artists in Rwanda, has also been an important part of Abijuru’s artistic growth. “Being around people who take art seriously pushes you to expand your vision,” she reflects. “It helps you see how storytelling can heal, educate, and connect.” Her work is a desire to connect with people on a deep emotional level. Her songs are composed from personal reflections — love, healing, self-discovery, and faith. “I think art is most powerful when it feels honest,” she says. “When I sing, I’m not just performing. I’m sharing a piece of myself, my joys, my lessons, my hopes.” Her performances, whether intimate acoustic sessions or theatrical productions, are guided by one consistent goal that is to make people feel. “I want my music to remind people that they’re not alone in what they feel,” she says. “That even the hard moments can become something beautiful when you express them. As Abijuru continues to evolve, her focus remains on creating music that moves people and wants to grow as a musician, and as a storyteller.
