WILLY PASCAL MUCYO MUREKAZE was always the shy, introverted kid nobody knew would turn out to be a confident musical sensation, on a mission to capture hearts with his soulful voice. Best known as Mucyo WaKera, the 30-year-old Rwandan recalls his first performance at College Immaculee Conception Save as a nerve-wracking experience. However, the feeling he got after letting go led him to dream of making music. ALSO READ: Meet Zabron & Deborah, a new gospel duo to keep an eye on Driven by his dreams, he teamed with two friends and former classmates to form the group 'Lucky Boys.' Together, they created their first song, 'Nkundira,' even if their partnership was short lived, as they parted ways after completing school. This was followed by Mucyo's debut solo track, 'Amahirwe' as his unwavering passion for music itched even more, pushing him to embark on a solo career. However, like any other youngster fresh out of high school, Mucyo faced financial challenges and uncertainty about his future, enticing his loving and supportive family to step in, providing him with the financial means to pursue his official debut. With their backing, he was able to release a series of heartfelt tracks, including the widely popular ‘Bouge bae’ and the latest 'Niba Wishimye’. ALSO READ: Every story, every song, every line is an invitation into my internals- 1key on his new album ‘Ki’ Though, as the cost of producing music became even more expensive, the young optimist had to improvise, acquiring multiple job skills on the side. Currently, Mucyo works as a videographer and video director at The NewTimes. He also remained committed to his education, where he holds a bachelor's degree in drama and education studies at UR-College of Education, formerly known as KIE. ALSO READ: Multitalented singer on his music and expanding creative ventures Although he pursued other ventures, Mucyo acknowledges that art, especially music, is something he cannot escape nor abandon. For him, encouragement plays a significant role in his artistic journey. For instance, he fondly recalls an encounter with a fan who named their girlfriend after one of his songs, 'Papillon.' “These heartwarming moments and the support of my growing fan base fuel my determination to continue pursuing my dreams,” he said. ALSO READ: From Nyundo to the studio: The rise of producer Prince Kiiiz Mucyo is not oblivious to the challenges that aspiring artistes face, including financial constraints, lack of promotion, and the need for professional management. Despite these hurdles, he remains optimistic about the future and eagerly awaits the moment when an opportunity will present itself. When asked whether he would ever give up pursuing music as a career, Mucyo succinctly replied, If by my millionth song, I still see no return, then I will probably end it there. Otherwise, I'm still here. Mucyo's music falls under the Afro fusion genre, which, according to him, prioritizes meaningful content over producing a catchy tune for immediate popularity. He is inspired by renowned artistes like King James, Angelique Kidjo, Khadja N'nin, Chris Brown, and Stromae. Mucyo dreams to collaborate with these icons and achieve continental and global recognition. He is eagerly looking forward to his first concert where he will perform on stage. People should expect more releases and performances, I will not rest until I leave an indelible mark on the Rwandan music scene, Mucyo said.
