From seminary to stardom

Maurix is a musician, music producer and music composer and the lead singer of the group Salus Populi. He’s also a final year student of Agriculture (Agro Business) at the National University of Rwanda (NUR). Bryan Kimenyi caught up with him during the just concluded SALAX Awards and got the story of his music career. Born Maurix Mbarushimana J.P on June 6, 1982, all his childhood time was spent in a seminary- practicing with the church choir and learning several music instruments. Indeed a musician was being made. ‘After completing my primary education, I joined Petit Seminaire Karubanda where I got involved with music like never before. I composed many songs for the church choir and taught most of my peers how to use different kinds of music instruments,’ he recalls. Maurix wasn’t only a musician and composer at such a tender age, he was also an accomplished sportsman, playing Football and Volleyball for the school team. Want to know why he’s not a player with Amavubi? He told me! ‘I loved the biggest part of my childhood. I was interested in a couple of activities. I got involved in-singing, dancing, reading, football et al; however music got the upper hand because of several reasons. I got peace by playing a musical instrument or singing with a choir. It’s how I got over stress and problems. Music also got me closer to my peers, they loved watching me sing or play a guitar,’ he reveals. In his A’ level, he created a music group “les amis de la paix” (Friends of Peace) with companion Fidel Nsabimana. That’s when he kicked it off professionally and hasn’t looked back since. Down the road, he has over eight songs to his name and is set to launch his debut album entitled “Kamere” (Nature) some time in May. It will be a twelve truck Album with some songs like Kaberuka, Mundekere, Kamere and Mazi ya Teke already rocking. He just made the video of the song Kamere which is also the title of his debut album. Success and success alone is the philosophy that has taken him this far. He explains, ‘Success is the driving force of my life. I consider it more important than money because it is more gratifying. Just like Solomon asked God for wisdom, I’ve always asked God to make me successful in all my endeavors.’ The 27 year old is a great admirer of music legend Cyprien Rugamba (RIP) and Rodrigue Karemera (RIP). Ben Rutabana is the musician he considers supreme among all his peers because of the originality of his music and the fact that his songs always have a message to enrich the wisdom of the listeners. Before he leaves for the red carpet, he leaves behind a message to fellow musicians, “we should try to compose songs that have constructive messages to people because that’s what gives us credibility at the end of the day. Let’s also stop this hate propaganda that is coming and instead work together to improve the industry.” Now, that’s some advice. Ends