If you are a hip-hop fan in Rwanda, chances are you know Diplomat Fasasi. For many listeners who grew up in the late 2000s and early 2010s, his lyrics were more than just songs on the radio—some fans even scribbled his lines in their school notebooks. Yet despite remaining a respected voice in the local hip-hop scene, many fans have in recent years questioned his limited presence on concert stages and major hip-hop shows. Addressing those concerns, the rapper says he is working on plans to return to live performances while also increasing his music output this year. “I think about that a lot. It is not something I ignore. This year I want to focus first on producing music with both quality and quantity,” he told The New Times. The rapper revealed that he plans to build a professional team dedicated to managing his concerts and live performances, something he believes will help him reconnect with fans on stage. “Along the way, I plan to work with partners so that there is a specialised team that focuses on live shows and performances,” he explained. He reassured fans that his absence from the concert scene has not gone unnoticed on his part and that changes should soon become visible. “My fans should not think I overlook it. I am working on it, and I believe this year there will be clear progress in a short time,” he said. Beyond the stage, Diplomat is also determined to increase the pace of his music releases in order to remain active in the industry. “My plan is to move forward with the times. I want to produce a lot of music and make sure that every release has a video,” he said. According to the rapper, maintaining a steady flow of music is essential for staying consistent and connected with audiences. “My focus is to have enough content on the market. That is my goal,” he added. He noted that fans have already begun seeing signs of this renewed momentum through his recent releases. “This year is about activity and consistency. People will see it. Recently I released Inyange and not long ago I dropped Imirongo Itukura. When I compare the pace I used to work at and the one I have now, it is different. The objective is to keep increasing the speed with every new project,” he said. Diplomat rose to prominence in 2009 with the release of the hit single “Umucakara w’Ibihe,” a song that helped establish him as one of the distinctive voices in Rwanda’s hip-hop movement. Over the years, he has released several popular songs, including “Indebakure,” “Karibu Sana” featuring The Ben, and “Umunsi Ucyeye.” With plans to boost both his studio output and stage presence, Diplomat says the coming months could mark a more active chapter in his career as he reconnects with fans through new music and live performances.
