Rwanda's music industry has undergone a significant transformation over the past two decades, evolving from a sector characterised by limited recording facilities, poor production quality and negative public perceptions into one driven by digital technology and growing public support.Two decades ago, artistes had to invest considerable time and effort to gain recognition, often moving from one radio and television station to another to promote their songs.Recording studios were few and equipped with low-quality facilities, making it difficult for locally produced music to meet broadcasting standards set by radio and television stations across the region. At the time, pursuing music as a career was widely discouraged, particularly for women, who were often judged negatively for becoming singers. Male artistes also struggled to gain acceptance from their families, as many parents associated musicians with alcohol, drug abuse and other negative behaviours.Over the years, however, the industry has evolved through different phases, moving from an era of limited studios and physical CDs to a digital-driven sector where artistes can record, distribute and promote their music almost instantly.Public engagement has also grown significantly, as demonstrated by the King James’ record two for two consecutive concerts at a soldout 10,000-seater BK Arena.ALSO READ: King James’ 20 years in the game and the art of staying relevantIndustry players, including veteran artists, producers and music entrepreneurs agree that Rwanda's music industry has made remarkable progress over the years. However, they argue that stronger financial investment, professional management and long-term planning will be essential for Rwandan music to compete more effectively on the international stage.Renowned music promoter Patrick Rukundo, popularly known as Patycope, said the industry looked vastly different when he joined it in 2008.At that time, studios had limited equipment. Artists often used instrumentals borrowed from foreign songs, which is why many local songs sounded similar to American music, he recalled.He explained that music production was largely handled by a single individual, who composed, recorded, mixed and mastered songs, a practice that often resulted in lower-quality productions.According to him, local television and radio stations often preferred music from neighbouring countries because the quality of many Rwandan productions did not meet broadcasting standards.Today, however, specialised producers, sound engineers and advanced recording technology have transformed the production process.Modern studios have better equipment and improved production standards. A song produced in Rwanda today can compete with music from Tanzania and other countries. Everyone can now see how much our television and radio stations have changed in supporting local music, Patycope said.He added that technology has simplified music production, with artists now benefiting from recording software, artificial intelligence tools and online resources that were unavailable to previous generations.ALSO READ: AI-powered track propels Rwandan artiste into global spotlightRapper Young Grace, who has spent nearly 15 years in the industry noted that technology has also eliminated barriers that once made it difficult for artists to promote their music.In the past, artists had to physically deliver CDs to radio and television stations. Today, you can record a song, upload it online and reach audiences immediately, Young Grace said.The broader perception of musicians has equally improved.Changing attitudes towards musiciansBeyond technological advances, public attitudes towards musicians have also changed significantly.Youngrace said female artists once faced widespread stigma, particularly those pursuing rap music.There was a time when girls who pursued music, especially female rappers, were viewed negatively.The perception of music as a career has changed significantly, with growing acceptance from families as the industry becomes more professional and financially rewarding.Today parents understand that music is a profession that can generate income, it is rare to find parents opposing their children's decision to pursue music as a career. Unlike in the past, many parents now support such ambitions because they now recognise that music is a valuable and viable profession.Rapper Emery Gatsinzi alias Riderman, who has spent around 20 years in the music industry, said public stereotypes about musicians have also diminished over the years.Years ago, some people believed that if they saw Bob Marley smoking marijuana, then every musician must also smoke marijuana. Others assumed that if one artist used drugs, then all artists did the same. Those stereotypes still exist among a few people, but I would say about 95 percent of people's mindset has changed, he said.Riderman added that while changing everyone's perception is impossible, musicians are now widely recognised as professionals.Social media reshapes the industryWhile previous generations relied on radio, television and physical distribution, today's artists operate in an increasingly digital environment.Brand strategist Herve Ngenzi, who works closely with musicians, said platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and YouTube have transformed how artists build audiences.Social media has made becoming famous easier because algorithms promote content based on the attention it receives, Ngenzi said.He added that one of the biggest shifts among younger musicians is recognising that music is both an art and a business.My generation understands that music requires planning, investment and expansion beyond Rwanda, he said.Despite having fewer resources, earlier generations produced songs that continue to resonate with audiences because they reflected the experiences and emotions of Rwandans, Ngenzi said.What I admire about those artists is that they created timeless Rwandan songs that were deeply relatable to Rwandans, and they managed to do this without the resources available to artists today, he said.He encouraged younger musicians to prioritise originality over short-lived trends.Artists should create unique music that remains connected to their audience over time, rather than making songs only because they fit current trends, Ngenzi added.Calls for investmentAlthough Rwanda's music industry has made significant strides in quality, visibility and professionalism, industry players believe its next phase of growth will depend on stronger financial backing.Patycope said the industry now requires better management structures, greater investment and continued support from fans and stakeholders.Twenty years ago, the biggest challenge was getting Rwandan music heard. Today, the challenge is making it last, he said.As technology continues to open new opportunities, he said, artists have a responsibility to produce music that goes beyond short-term trends and contributes to Rwanda's cultural legacy.Riderman echoed the call for greater investment, describing the lack of investors as one of the industry's biggest obstacles.For our music to evolve faster, we need investment. Many musicians do not have investors to finance their careers, and that slows down our progress,” he said.“Some artists don't even have managers, while others have managers who only focus on promotion only instead of investing in their careers. That is what is missing if we want Rwandan music to compete internationally.”He cited Tanzanian music star Diamond Platnumz as an example, saying the artist's career accelerated after securing investors who supported his long-term growth.said Rwanda's music industry has made remarkable progress, although there is still room for growth.There is a big difference between where we came from and where we are today, but we still have a journey ahead, he said.According to him, almost every aspect of the industry has improved, including music production, audio and video quality, as well as the business side of music, particularly how artists distribute and sell their work but need investment to reach international level.
