Though Rwandan music has been making progress in recent years, local artistes continue to struggle to thrive on the international scene or make the playlists of major entertainment networks due to lack of promotion beyond the borders. However, experts in the music industry, say with the right people and promotion, modern Rwandan music can make it to the charts. That is what South African-based production company ‘Godfather Productions’ is promising to do. The company’s CEO, Mike Ogoke, was recently in Rwanda, looking for top local artistes he can work with to help them promote their music on the continent and beyond. The production firm, which has worked with top artistes on the continent, said it is ready to start shooting and producing videos of artistes who have already entered an agreement to work with it, within the next three weeks. In an interview with The New Times, Ogoke spoke about plans he has for Rwanda’s music industry, and how the artistes could benefit from the initiative. What are you looking for in Rwanda? The reason I came to Rwanda is because of what I have been reading on the Internet about Rwandan music, and the potential, which attracted my interest. I decided to come on the ground and see the different areas I can engage with artistes to take Rwandan music to the global stage I came here to be part of those that believe that they can make this dream a reality. I met music partners here in Rwanda to discuss how we can help artistes from the country to become global artistes. That is why I am here. How much do you know about Rwandan music? I have been in the African music industry for years and I have been able to witness Rwandese music start small, making progress at a time. But now we are at a point we can say the time is now to take it to the next level. I know more about Rwandan music and I have observed the industry grow, which is why we think we can support the progress. How are you planning to support Rwandan artistes to make them global? I am looking for that artiste that I can make a global artiste. An artiste that we can work with and make his or her songs hits across the African continent and I believe I will get some. When you go through our [Godfather Productions] history, you can see that we’ve made almost all the artistes that went on to become superstars across Africa. We have the means to promote them and put them on more platforms than they think because we have relationships with all these platforms and we are capable of doing that because our experience so far has proven it. In return, they will not only get exposure for their music but also make money from it through shows we will get for them. We’ve done it in Nigeria, we’ve done it in Tanzania, Uganda, Ghana, Kenya, Angola, Zimbabwe, and we are going to do it here in Rwanda. Which are some of the top African stars Godfather Productions has promoted? They are so many. The likes of P-Square, Davido, Burnaboy, Wizkid, 2Face and D Banj from Nigeria, Diamond Platnumz and Rayvanny from Tanzania, Akothe and Papa Denis from Kenya have all worked with Godfather Productions and are thankful. We also supported Ugandan artistes like Eddy Kenzo, Ykee Benda, Bebe Cool and many more artistes from Zimbabwe, Angola and Ghana. And this is the time for Rwanda to shine. Have you met and agreed with some Rwandan artistes so far? I met some great artistes like Alyn Sano, Meddy, Bruce Melodie, Christopher and DJ Pius. These are fantastic artistes and have what it takes to become global artistes, very soon. I have also met producers like Clement of Kina Music. We shared ideas on how we can work together since their music has great potential to compete at the continental level and overseas. We have reached agreements regarding how we will work together and work starts soon. Rwanda has had good artistes over the years, why are you interested in Rwandan music now? This is the time for Rwanda and it is never too late. This is their time and they know it. There is time for everything and we are saying this is the time. It is time for Rwandan artistes to go international. Where do we go from here? We’re setting up the date that is comfortable for us to come to Rwanda, and start doing the production of videos for their music projects as we will be handling their videos. My team is ready to come and we are starting video shooting for their songs in two to three weeks’ time as we enter a busy season when artists release a lot of music. We are so excited to come to Rwanda at such a period like this. Artistes are ready and we are equally ready. editor@newtimesrwanda.com
