Of the many hit songs that were released since 2021, Piyaburesha” and “Ibuye” by Vestine and Dorcas immediately stood out further from the rest. In its slow burn and high-voltage, the beat for “Piyapuresha” won the hearts of many. I looked up who produced them, Santana Sauce, and he isn't quite the newcomer I assumed he was. Trailing his background, Santana, who was born in Musanze, Northern Province in 1997, had a humble beginning and days of little beginning he can never forget. He grew up singing and wondering how music is made. He began practicing playing musical instruments as soon as he started his secondary advanced level at Agahozo Shalom Village in Rwamagana. In an interview with The New Times, Santana shared that he is living the life of his dreams being able to do what he dreamed of doing long ago. “When I was a child I used to love singing and I was always curious about how music is done, but at that time I can’t say that I wanted to become a producer,” Santana says. He added: “In 2013, I was lucky to join Agahozo Shalom Village, because from there I was able to access some instruments like piano, guitars and others, so I started learning to play piano and after I tried to learn how to create beats and recording helped by producer Blameless.” Santana, 26, attended primary school at a local school in Musanze. In high school he studied at Agahozo Shalom in Rwamagana, Eastern Province. The ‘Urugi’ hit producer shared that he began music production as a profession in 2021 at Hi5 Studios after working at Uno Studio as an intern. He said: “I started music production as a profession in 2021, and that’s when my breakthrough song ‘Ubigenze ute’ came out.” “Since then, I’ve worked hard to be among the best producers in the country and I think now it has started to pay off,” he added. Santana has big dreams in the three years where he sees himself among the top music producers in the region and the continent in general. “My plans for the next three years are huge. After that time I will be a professional sound engineer and I hope Santana will be a big name in the Rwandan music industry, region and the continent... who knows,” he said. He added: “I’m motivated by the progress I make and the growth of Rwandan music in recent years, I believe that our local music will take over the region soon.” Santana who got his first Kiss Summer nomination last year has produced many hit songs including; Piyapuresha, Ishyano and Ubigenza ute by Niyo Bosco, All Vestine and Dorcas songs, Wankomye by Alto ft Uncle Austin and many more. “My goal for this year is to keep improving and making good music as I always try to do,” said Santana.
