Rwandan cultural artiste Ibrahim Cyusa has released his second album, ‘Muvumwamata’, a heartfelt project dedicated to his grandmother, the woman he credits for inspiring his artistic journey. The 14-track album weaves together themes of culture, love, patriotism, gratitude, and celebration, offering listeners a diverse mix of traditional Rwandan sound blended with contemporary artistic expression. The title track, ‘Muvumwamata’, was originally a personal song that Cyusa composed for his grandmother. Naming the entire album after her was his way of honoring the deep influence she had on his life and art. ALSO READ: Cyusa’s Migabo Concert lives up to the hype, celebrates RPF-Inkotanyi “She is the one I owe my craft to. This album is a dedication to her and a way for her to listen to my art fully,” Cyusa told The New Times. Cyusa describes the album as a carefully curated mixture of themes and eras. Seven of the songs are newly created pieces, while the other seven are beloved traditional tracks revived from the past. The result is an album with broad appeal, songs to dance to, songs for relaxation, pieces that celebrate patriotism, romantic tracks, and melodies traditionally dedicated to brides. One of the tracks even pays homage to football, showcasing the album’s thematic range. The 14 tracks on the album include Icyivugo, Muvumwamata, Ndore, Abarwanashyaka, Umusare, Mutangampundu, Urukundo, Munganyinka, Uwambayinzobe, Mutoni, Narayendose Imana irema, Isengesho, Inkotanyi turaganje, Ihorere, and Twatsinze. According to the artiste, what sets Muvumwamata apart from his debut project is the depth of intention and thought behind it. “This album was carefully made with purpose which means that I had enough time to plan it. It also features a diverse arrangement of both traditional and modern instruments, blending generations of sound into one cohesive body of work,” he says. The project was mastered by Producer Bob Pro, with production contributions from David and Jimmy. Cyusa also spoke about the growing appreciation for Gakondo music in Rwanda. He noted that audiences today are far more engaged with traditional sounds than in previous years. While celebrating this progress, he encouraged media and promoters to invest even more in the genre to sustain its momentum. He praised the increasing number of Gakondo concerts and emphasized the need for continued efforts to organize more platforms that preserve and elevate traditional Rwandan music. In June 2024, Cyusa marked five years in the music industry with a successful Migabo Live concert. The celebration featured performances by icons such as Mariya Yohana, Ruti Joel, Chris Neat, and the renowned Inganzo Ngari troupe. Tags: Cyusa Ibrahim Gakondo Music
