If there is something that the recently sold out Ibihame by’ Imana concert left us with, it is that Rwandans still love traditional music and local artistes are sleeping on it.Just like the way Kwaito of early 90s earned its way back in the streets of Soweto after producers gave it log drum-driven bassline, paired with the jazzy soulful sound and resulted to the trending Amapiano, there are signs that Rwandan musicians can also merge traditional sounds with modernized music genres and make the local music scene boost more than ever.Ruti Joel’s first album ‘Musomondera’ which is produced in a fusion of traditional and modern sounds with zero appearance of any artiste is evidence that Rwandans are tired of western sounds and looking for music that has a culture vibe in its production.The album, premiered last week, is number one trending in the country and spreading beyond borders with close to 100, 000 streams on different streaming platforms beating RNB, Drill, Afro and hip hop projects produced this year.Just like Ruti, before passing away last year, Buravan produced his second album ‘Twaje’ in the same manner and the project gained massive admiration with some of its tracks like ‘Tiku Tiku’ and ‘Ye Ayee’ still dominating charts.This, among others, indicate how the future of Rwandan music might not be far from giving it a culture vibe to maintain its identity, a move that would introduce masses to Rwandan music the same way it did to Afro beats of Nigeria and Amapiano of South Africa.Different young artistes are either collaborating with traditional singers or adding sounds produced by local instruments like Inanga in their songs. What’s driving the young generation to make their grandparents' favorite music?The return of Gakondo in today’s world of musicRwandan traditional music ‘Gakondo’ dates way back to the early 1880’s when Rwandans distinctively created music instruments like ‘Inanga,’ a harp-like instrument with eight strings that was played by Rwanda's best-known performers including Athanase Sentore.Other instruments included ‘Ingoma,’ traditional drum made in pelts, ‘Umuduli’ (a single-stringed traditional bow), ‘Iningiri’ (a violin-like instrument played with a bow) and ‘Icyembe’ (a box with acoustic strings on it), all which are used in production of most of the new songs produced today.The likes of Bob Pro, Made Beats, Clement, Pastor P and other renowned music producers have been merging sounds produced by local instruments with modern sounds and resulting in a fusion that many see as the future.In his recent interview with The New Times, Pastor P said that the future of Rwandan music relies on giving it origin and a culture vibe that makes a difference than other genres, which is something that many are adopting.This, Pastor P said, is why he produced his upcoming album ‘Inka Yanjye’ in a way that gives origin to his sound and puts everyone listening to it in a traditional vibe.“I’ve done my own research and discovered that most of our songs lack creativity of origin, and I made this album to introduce new vibes in our music industry that have a bit of a traditional touch, and I encourage fellow musicians to jump on the movement,” Pastor P said, adding that, “this sound is actually the future!”Pastor P’s album will debut on September 4 with 12 tracks that feature different Rwandan artistes, all produced in a fusion of modern and traditional sounds.Not only him, but other musicians like Cyusa Ibrahim, Masamba Intore, Micheal Makembe and many others are set to release the same projects this year, an indication that Gakondo is back and better.For Ruti Joel, the youngest among them who ventured into music in 2012, Rwandan culture should feature in most art pieces produced by local artistes and the same applies to musicians.Ruti said, “dances, lyrics, language, dressing codes and many other things that ancient Rwanda had should be part of today’s creative sector.”“This is going to make our music stronger than ever,” he said.A more inclusive soundAlthough Gakondo started out as a genre dominated by male artists, more women are now stepping onto the scene, from singing and dancing to even fashion design.Sophie Nzayisenga has been playing the Inanga musical instrument almost all her life, something she’s done out of a strong passion for her culture, and she’s one of many other females making “Gakondo” music alongside the likes of Teta Diana and many others.In her recent interview with The New Times, Teta Diana, one of the leading musicians in Rwanda said that traditional music is an identity of Rwandans and it’s a way of contributing towards preserving the country’s roots.“It’s a genre of all, girls and boys,” she said.If more players join the making of Gakondo, it can become a movement, lifestyle and everything. It’s the future.
