Ciney ready to take on her peers

Ciney is barely three years in the music industry but she is already a household name as a singer and her songs have been receiving massive airplay on radio stations and in public hangouts. “Nobody taught me how to sing,” she said when interviewed by The New Times, “I just find myself singing and I cannot explain where the ideas come from. I get inspired by the things around me and I feel like composing my lyrics.” She further explained that, “I have built a fan base and I am glad that people appreciate my songs. I can’t say that I am contended with where I am right now because I consider myself an amateur and I still have a long way to go in this industry.” Coupled with the passion for music, Ciney harboured a childhood desire to become a professional singer and dancer. “I could watch some of the international musicians perform on TV and I often wrote down some of the lyrics,” she narrates. Born on July 2, 1992 to Eugerie Somayire and Earnest Rudasingwa, the rapper, real name Aisha Uwimana, is the first born in the family of five. She attended her primary education at Kacyiru Primary School before enrolling at Ape Rugunga for her secondary education. When asked what her dream was as child, Ciney answered, “When I was growing up, I wished to become a minister for finance because I hated seeing people, especially the children living in poverty and dying of hunger.” Ciney rose to fame in 2010 with the release of her debut single, Game of Love, otherwise known as GOL. “I was just giving it a try,” she says. “I didn’t know I had such a talent in me. After this song, I received compliments from all corners, the producers, promoters and presenters.” The Nkunda star says that prompted her to pursue music as a profession. Her second single, Kure Y’ibyiza was released in 2011 and went on to release more songs, including, High School, Ndabaga and Nkunda, the same year. She later had a three months stint in Gabon. Upon her return, she released Nkunda and Ndiho, songs that were received well by her fans. Steadily gaining fame, the young rapper hooked up with Lil P, a Rwandan artiste based in United Kingdom and worked on track called, Ngwino Nkwereke, produced by Mico. Like most upcoming artistes, Ciney faces some challenges, especially in the male-dominated Hip-hop. She says no one is interested in sponsoring or promoting Hip-hop artistes, despite the public love for rap music. She adds that rappers are not invited to perform at big concerts. The sublime also decries missing her normal life as she gains more fame. Another challenge she faces is getting funds to produce good videos and someone to feature in them. Despite the challenges, Ciney has managed to spread her music outside Rwanda as her songs are played across East Africa and in Zambia. She wishes to work with Uganda’s popular musicians Aziz Azion and Cindy. Ciney is also a radio presenter on Inshuti Ya Bose, (formerly City Radio), where she hosts a programme called, Gari Ya Moshi, from 4pm -7:30 pm.

Leisure

Ciney ready to take on her peers