‘Two 4 Real’ here for real

Two 4 Real is an upcoming music duo that is on the verge of taking Rwanda’s music to another level. Bryan Kimenyi of the Sunday Times caught up with them to get an insight into their life and career. Pius Ricky Rukabuza and Innocent Aidan Tumaini comprise the young R&B/HIP-HOP duo of Two 4 Real. They have been together for the last one and a half years. Together, they’ve managed to make eight songs and are planning to launch their first album at the end of this year. The new album, “From Grass to Grace” will be a ten track CD with AFRO, R&B AND HIP-HOP rhythms. Hold you, Wowe, IDO and Money Baby Gal are their most prominent hits. Rukabuza Rukabuza is only 23 years old and has already gained the art of being a man. Actually he is more than a man because he is the lead singer of this duo. He fell in love with music when he joined secondary school. A few years after, he was voted entertainment prefect. “When I was young, I was fond of listening to radio and making beats from every tin I laid my hands on. I am not surprised I do the same thing to every music instrument I see,” he explains. About the group, he says, “Two for Real is unique in many aspects, compared to other music groups in Rwanda and indeed the region. Apart from Singing, we are dancers (creative). We also sing in a couple of languages, just to spread the message to every one in the region” Rukabuza and Tumaini met in 2007, and they immediately realised how good they would be if they made a music duo. “The first time we talked, I realised Aidan was a person I would deal with. He understands me.” Despite the fact that they’ve been in the music industry for a short time, they have been here and seen as it evolves. About the music industry, he says “our music industry has got a bright future. We just lack support from our people. Once we get accepted, we shall be right there with the rest of the region.” Despite this optimism about the future of the industry, he has failed to find an idol in Rwanda. ‘Sincerely speaking they are all the same; I would be lying if I said that there is someone I look up to here.” Internationally, he loves the works of Soul legend Marvin Gaye and R&B sensation Neyo. For the girls out there, this dude is tied to a chic he describes as “kind, supportive and caring.” He says he might spend the rest of his life with her. Rukabuza is also a DJ with Next Level Entertainment and also happens to be an IT technician. Tumaini At only 27, Aidan has already settled as a program Assistant with an international Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) and is a musician. Like most musicians, Tumaini was introduced to the secrets of music in the church choir. This was at the prestigious Miracle Centre Cathedral of Uganda’s Pastor Robert Kayanja. He used to sing in the miracle teen’s ministry. In 2001, he gave music a break and embarked on his university degree at Makerere University. After his degree, he thought about the idea of doing music professionally, but lacked encouragement. That’s when he hooked up with Rukabuza, who he says, “has the best voice and knowledge about music” Tumaini thinks Two for Real is the next household name because their songs are sang in many languages of East Africa. Like Rukabuza he appreciates the rate at which the music industry is growing, though he’s not happy with the attitude some people have on musicians. “Most old people call musicians ibirara (rogues) yet some of are educated and focused on developing local music.” Unlike his partner, Tumaini has a musician he admires in Rwanda. That’s Bull Dog; an upcoming dance hall musician whom he says “knows how to portray his message through music.” To the girls, Aidan is single but not searching. “I like it this way.” Ends