RWANDAN FEMALE ARTISTS THAT HAVE STARTED TRENDS
Rwanda is renowned for supporting its women; a perfect example is Rwanda paving the way forward worldwide regarding women rights, with the Rwandan parliament consisting of 61.3% women as of 2020.
There is no surprise that this female empowered movement has spilt over into the music scene, offering diverse opportunities. Rwandan women are known for their mesmerising appeal and the enchanting, alluring “je ne sais quoi” aura that surrounds them. These female artists are not taking this for granted and are capitalising on their natural gifts; they are truly blooming in every garden they are planted, including the music industry.
Meeting girls in music, specifically non-traditional styles, was slightly delayed compared to the boys. We could only identify a few girls, Miss Jojo, Miss Chanelle, and a few others. This dialogue has changed, for today, we have many women in the music industry singing, rapping and expressing themselves using various music art forms, which were literally trail-blazing the music scene.
Let’s look at some of these incredible Rwandan female artists who have started trends below:
1. ANGELL MUTONI
A 27-year-old Ugandan born is a promising artist who specialises her music in Hip hop and RnB. From a very young age, her father taught her music in and outs, which is the source of her thirst for music. Albums she has released so far include the ‘Pandemic Pack’ and ‘Seedling’ she also featured in DJ Toxxyk song ‘Pull up’, in which she delivered an amazing feature through her rap verse. This rapper also holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Management awarded from Cardiff Metropolitan University in the UK.
2. RITA ANGE KAGAJU
A rife 21 years of age, with a supernatural voice that captures the attention of the listeners. She discovered and nurtured her talent from the age of 12, posting a video of herself singing whilst playing her guitar, opened the floodgates and landed her with an IDA records deal, with whom she is currently signed since March 2019. Invited to perform at Rwanda Konnect Gala, a huge attraction in Rwanda, what tends to enchant Kagaju’s audience is that mostly her songs express feelings and emotions that pull on one’s heart strings. In 2020 she released the first album that she called ‘Sweet Thunder’ containing songs like ‘Good Times, ‘Ok’ and other songs like ‘Jamaa’ ‘Friend’, ‘No offence’, which had collaborations with Andy Bumuntu, Kevin Skaa, Kivumbi King.
3. ALYN SANO
Aline Sano Shengero, 26, has powerful vocal cords; her captivating voice leads to her award as the IMAs Best Female Artist 2020. She exploded onto the music scene through an invite via another music artist, Hope Irakoze, during the Tusker Project Fame, the East African reality singing competition show. Since then, she started making hit songs such as this summer’s 2021 ‘Hono’, ‘Perimana’, ‘Kontorola’, ‘We the best’, it goes without saying that her collaboration with Kenya’s very own Femi One on the ‘Kontorola Remix’, had everyone on heat.
4. ARIEL WAYZ
Here we have the 19-year-old Ariel Uwayezu from the Rubavu district in Rwanda, who is ambitious and filled with passion for music; her love for music was inevitably inherited from her mother, who used to sing in ‘Orchestra Ingeri’, which is a 90’s Rwandan Orchestra group that makes use of traditional instruments.
Ariel pursuit music during her high school years at Nyundo School of Music; she was a founding member of the Symphony Band founded at her high school, with notable songs such as ‘Hey. Ariel and Alyn Sano were invited to represent Rwanda in The Voice Afrique Francophone (Afro-french Version of the popular contest show The Voice) show in 2020. She sang ‘Ntabwo Yantegereza’ translating “he can’t wait for me”, an emotional song about lost love, with impeccable visuals to match. Other songs include ‘Nobody knows’, ‘Depanage’ and the most trended song of hers ‘Away’ featuring Juno Kizigenza, which currently holds 1 million-plus view on Youtube.
5. VESTINE AND DORCAS
Vestine Ishimwe and Dorcas Kamikazi are a gospel duo with angelic voices to match; they managed to capture the hearts of the gospel lovers, notable by their songs such as ‘Nahawe ijambo’ meaning “I was valued”, reaching 1.3 million views shortly after release, currently standing at 3.9 million views, they also blessed our ears with the song titles ‘Papa’.
IG: @vestineanddorcas_official
These are some of the current trendsetters, talented new generation of is rising females in the industry. More could be added to this list, have a lookout for a future article of further Rwandan Queens; it’s inspiring to see so many women rising to the occasion and capturing this market. These women hold different instruments, using their voices, and standing up to give outstanding messages that heal many hearts and with mesmerising voices.
In Beyonce’s words, “Who runs the World….”
Lastly, stay up to date with all you need to know about African music at SOA, right here.
Idole thrives on inspiring and motivating those around her by supporting them to realigning themselves to their confidence & living out their best version.
She captivates through the essence of leave people in a better position than first encountered, which she embodies in her demeanour. Her keen interest in mindful studies the realm of meta-physics covering Meditation, Crystals, & Energy Healing to Self-development; hence she is a qualified Lifestyle and Spiritual Coach.
An eclectic ear nourishes her passion for music and the entertainment scene; she is the Radio Presenter of the weekly “Outspoken Truths” show on GN Radio UK which dwells into an array of topics from Music to Women empowerment, celebrating ancient African Cultures and Spiritual Practises.
Founder of Rwanda Hub on Clubhouse, she is always searching for means to connect Rwandan, showcasing her Rwandan heritage and promoting the vast pool of talents and treasures the Land of a Thousand Hills has to offer. Connect with her via Clubhouse follow 🇷🇼 Rwanda Hub, or on IG/Clubhouse @be.idole
RWANDAN FEMALE ARTISTS THAT HAVE STARTED TRENDS
