For many artistes, their most powerful work is rooted in personal experience—moments of confusion, healing, growth, and self-discovery that later resonate with a wider audience. For emerging artiste and poet Nkaka Ntare Manzi, popularly known as Mvaknow, that moment has taken shape in ‘33,’ a nine-track album he describes as a reflection of personal transformation and introspection. Released exclusively through his website, 33 marks a significant creative shift for the artiste, formerly known as Mxnzi Le Poète. More than just a new body of work, the project captures a period of uncertainty, self-examination, and evolution in his life. ALSO READ: Mxnzi Le Poete drops slam-tape, ‘Renaissance Tale 1’ According to Mvaknow, the album was conceived during a phase when he found himself questioning his identity, purpose, and artistic direction. Central to that journey was the recurring appearance of the number 33—something he says felt too persistent to ignore. “The number itself kept appearing in my life, almost like a signal I had to pay attention to—something I needed to decode,” he said. He explained that the project was not sparked by a single defining moment, but rather by a series of realizations that compelled him to pause and reassess both his life and his craft. “I found myself questioning things I thought I already understood about who I am, my purpose, and my direction as an artist. It wasn’t one moment, but a chain of realizations that pushed me to re-evaluate everything.” Now that the album is out, Mvaknow describes it as both a release and a new beginning. Through 33, he explores themes of identity, spirituality, growth, doubt, and the tension between certainty and uncertainty. “In many ways, it’s me documenting a transformation as it was happening,” he added. That emotional and spiritual journey makes 33 especially personal. Mvaknow describes the project as an intimate reflection of his mental and emotional state during its creation. “It carries a version of me that was in the middle of becoming—still figuring things out in real time. It goes beyond music; it’s a timestamp of a very specific and defining phase of my life.” Why release it exclusively online? Unlike many artistes who rely on major streaming platforms, Mvaknow chose to release 33 solely through his website—a deliberate decision aimed at fostering a deeper, more direct connection with his audience. He believes this approach allows listeners to engage with the project more intentionally, away from the fast-paced nature of conventional digital distribution. ALSO READ: Mxnzi le Poete talks about his spoken word album Mvaknow also revealed plans for an official launch, though not in the form of a traditional listening party. Instead, he envisions an immersive experience that reflects the essence of the album. “The idea is to create something immersive that reflects the world of 33—blending music, poetry, and live performance into one space,” he said. The project is also notable as his first full release under the name Mvaknow. Prior to the rebrand, he released Renaissance Tale I as Mxnzi Le Poète, as well as his debut anthology Melancholia, which he describes as a work born from emotional debris. “33 marks my introduction as Mvaknow and a significant evolution in both my sound and perspective as an artist.” Poetry beyond the page Beyond the album, Mvaknow views his journey as part of a broader transformation within the creative industry—particularly for poets. What began as a personal search for expression has since evolved into a multidisciplinary path, spanning music, performance, acting, and storytelling. ALSO READ: Tracing the evolution of modern poetry in Rwanda As the industry shifts, he believes poets are increasingly moving beyond traditional boundaries and embracing new forms of expression. “We’re entering a space where form is no longer fixed. Poets are becoming multidisciplinary artists, moving between mediums and redefining how their work is experienced.” However, he acknowledges that while creative opportunities are expanding, sustainability remains a major challenge for poets and creatives working across multiple disciplines. The freedom to experiment is growing, he notes, but the industry must also develop stronger support systems to sustain that freedom in practical ways. For Mvaknow, 33 is therefore more than an album—it is both a personal archive and a statement of artistic evolution, capturing a moment of transition while pointing toward the future of poetic and musical expression.
