Rwandan rapper Ciney has opened up about her return to music after several years away from the spotlight, saying reflection on her purpose as an artiste and how she was using her talent pushed her to reconnect with the craft that first made her a household name. Born Aisha Uwimana, Ciney rose to prominence in the early 2010s with popular songs such as Make Them Talk, Nkabandi, and Arabizi, which earned her recognition among the new generation of female artistes shaping Rwanda’s contemporary music scene at the time. ALSO READ: Singer Ciney on juggling motherhood with music and life After a long hiatus from releasing new music, the singer recently marked her comeback with a new single titled Avec Toi, signalling a renewed focus on her career. Speaking to The New Times, Ciney said that while she always loved music, her earlier approach to the industry lacked a long-term strategy. “At the time I was doing music mainly because I loved it. It was more for fun,” she said, reflecting on the early years of her career. Over time, however, she realised that passion alone was not enough and that she needed to approach music more deliberately if she wanted to grow professionally. “I realised that the Ciney I introduced to the world was still there. I never forgot that part of me,” she said. According to the singer, one conversation in particular made her rethink how she was using her talent. “I once met a pastor who asked me: if God asked you what you did with all the gifts He gave you, what would you answer?” she recalled. The question, she said, stayed with her and eventually motivated her to reconsider her path. “When you stop doing music, you feel like you lack peace because there are many things you still have to share with the world,” she said. “Music can also create a community where people support each other, learn from one another and give advice.” Ciney said her time away from the industry was not entirely a break but a period dedicated to other responsibilities, particularly education and family life. ALSO READ: Singer Ciney on juggling motherhood with music and life “I had to focus on school, my family and other work. Balancing those roles with music requires time and careful planning,” she explained. Now back in the studio, the singer says she is preparing a series of new releases scheduled for later this year. “I’m working on many projects. Most of them will be singles without collaborations because I want to reintroduce my sound first,” she said, adding that some of the songs could start coming out toward the end of April. EMBED VIDEO: https://youtu.be/5sQuRSE0eJ8?si=nAteHUTfMJhbrF4B While she is now approaching her career with a clearer vision, Ciney says she remains open to how the journey unfolds. “I have to balance things for now, but I’m ready to go with the flow. Wherever the universe wants me, I will follow,” she said. “To be honest, I never sat down in 2017 or 2018 and imagined that in 2026 I would be where I am today.” Her return comes at a time when Rwanda’s music industry continues to grow rapidly, with digital platforms and a new generation of artistes reshaping how music is produced and consumed. For Ciney, the comeback represents both a continuation of the journey she started years ago and the beginning of a new chapter shaped by maturity, experience, and a renewed sense of purpose.
