Memories of Orchestra Impala’s ‘Iso Ninde?’

Iso Ninde (Who is Your Father?) is a song that is more than four decades old which starts with an intro similar to those you normally hear in Jamaican ragga music, followed by mad-drums – like those of rock n’roll. Written and recorded by Orchestra Impala, one of Rwanda’s hottest music groups ever, the song ruled the local music scene for decades. Today, it revokes fond memories; the old reminisce the good old times, while the young ones sing along whenever it is played. When you listen to this song, it makes you realise how much you are being cheated by buying some of the new music that is churned out nowadays. The drums, bass guitar and their signature trumpet make this song rich even before the singers belt out the lyrics. Like most old songs, the singers of this song do it without trying so hard to impress the listener. Iso Ninde, like most of Impala’s songs, talks about every day life, Rwanda’s history, usual life struggles, and the common man’s desire to move out of bad life.

Lifestyle

Memories of Orchestra Impala’s ‘Iso Ninde?’