Unlike in the past when good music was written, sung and produced by experienced experts in the field for many years, now young people are exercising their talents and giving their full potential, and expertise to generate exceptional sound. Take an example of 21-year-old Pacifique Imilinga Twese, who is the mastermind of Stargaze record label that started operating in 2021. All it required for him to be where he is, was his passion for music. He recalls in 2019 seeing a group of his friends practicing to be good vocalists and the outcome of the continuous rehearsals was exceptional. It is then that Twese eagerly wanted to take their music to the next level but lacked money to purchase music instruments. When he realised how much endowed they were, he knew he had to create a record label to support their talents. “The group started with no money but I put some savings aside from a house managing gig, that’s when my team and I started purchasing some equipment. “We believe that once we get an audience for our music, we shall earn from it with time because Rwandans love and support unique sound,” Twese stresses. “So far, my team of producers and I have released nine songs, three singles and six others which are available on our Extended Play- EP. Some of them include; ‘Someone You Want’ by Rabbeatz and Yulli Blexx ft Alif and Taffi, Hasta la Vista by Rabbeatz ft Rluta, and Stranger by Yulli Blexx ft Taffi, among others.” Twese is of the view that the label’s artistes are skilled in Electronic Dancing Music-EDM which is new to the local audience as they ought to differ from most musicians who play and produce afro beats. He has started receiving positive feedback from his work and anticipates more Rwandans to fall in love with their melodies. According to Twese, EDM is a genre that combines all categories of music and brings people together with joy and is loved by all age groups, from the young to the old. The youngster is inspired by Myles Shear, the manager of Kyrre Gørvell-Dahll, professionally known as Kygo, a Norwegian DJ music producer, and EDM artiste. This is because he has something in common with Shear, as the first time he met Kygo, he was younger than the artist he managed just as Twese is managing artistes older than him, this, he believes, doesn’t hold him back, but pushes him to work harder to make his team (artistes and producers) known not only in Rwanda, but also internationally. Achieving their dream would require more finances to invest in their melodies, although they are skilled and knowledgeable about music, Twese has no doubt that producing good music with astonishing sound and artistic music videos, plus marketing the song, requires money. “There are many young talents that would be so far in EDM music but are limited by funds. We wish to have financial support from investors. Once our music starts paying off, we can stand on our own.”
