IN JOURNALISM, editors are the ‘unsung heroes’ behind some of the best articles but they rarely get the recognition they deserve. 

This is evident in other professions as well; take the music industry for example. 

Whenever a song hits, everyone is quick to point out the artiste’s incredible talent, forgetting that artistes would be nothing without the brain behind the production of the song – the producer.

Producers work long hours alternating between different styles of music beats until they get the right one. Rwanda has produced a number of hits and even though we adore the artistes whose names take credit for these songs, there are the unsung heroes  or the ‘robots’ behind these award winning beats; below we take a look at the producers behind the hits dominating the airwaves and clubs. 

Producer Junior, Bridge Records

Producer Junior has made a name for himself in music circles as a talented producer. Producer Junior is behind great songs such as Byarakomeye by Knowles, Zaboneste by Senderi, Fata Fata by All Stars, Diane Teta’s Canga Ikarita, Umusirimu by Paccy, Chaguwa by Urban Boys ft Jay Polly, Mbabarira by King James, and Anter’Ibuye by Dr. JiJi, Amag the Black and Bruce Melody among other songs that have gained massive air play on local radio stations.

His career kicked off in 2009 after going through music production courses at Emile Mbayeho’s studio.

So far, he has worked with several music studios including Narrow Road Records, F2K Production, Unlimited Records and Super Level. He is currently based at Bridge Records Studios since August 2011.

Clement, Kina Music

Clement Ishimwe is the brain behind the music label Kina Music that boosts of massive talents like Knowless, Christopher, Dream Boys and Tom Close among others. After completing his university degree at Independent University of Kigali (ULK) in 2005, he started a music label called Real Sounds which he later changed to Kina Music in 2009.  

Apart from being a producer, Clement is also the manager of Knowless and Christopher. His music label is famed for re-making old Rwandan songs and turning them into hits. Together with Knowless, Christopher, Tom Close and Dream Boys, they re-mixed Rubanda and Nshatse Inshuti together with the original composer Abdoul Makanyaga. He has also produced hits such as Urare aharyana by Dream Boys, Uwo Munsi by Christopher, Kanda Amazi and Byukuvuna by Kina music members. 

Pastor P, Narrow Road Production

Pastor P is a notable producer, singer, and songwriter and co-owns Narrow Records together with Canada-based Rwandan musician Ezra Kwizera. He started his career in 2005 after joining the Bible College where he met several professional musicians that helped him develop his music talent. Around the same time, he met Ezra Kwizera and together they founded Narrow Road Studio. 

He has used his unique talent to release hit songs such as Ndarota by Miss Shanel, Sinarinkuzi by Tom Close, Beletilida by Miss Jojo and Narashize, Niki Utabona and Yaciye Ibintu all by King James. He also worked with Mug Dido and Knowless on Nakora Iki and Karolina by Gabiro Guitar. He has largely worked with King James both as a mentor and music producer. They have toured and worked on several projects together. 

Fazzo, Touch Records

Fazzo is rated among Rwanda’s most talented music producers. Born Fabien Cyiza, he started his career in 2010. His love for playing a guitar led him into the music industry where he is currently a music producer. He started his producing career with Unlimited Records where he produced songs for various musicians before he left to join Touch Records. He has established himself among the sought after producers in Rwanda. 

Fazzo is the brain behind the first Kinyarwanda-rock genre song, Uzandabure by Bruce Melody. Under Fazzo’s mentorship, Bruce Melody has released hit singles that include Nyerekana and Tubivemo. He has also produced for Jay Polly songs such as Ku Musenyi, Vuza Ingoma and Oh my God. When Amag the Black approached him, he produced Care, a song that earned Amag the Black two nominations at the 2014 Salax awards.

Trackslayer, Infinity Records

After a year of working with Touch records, Peter Nshuti, known as Trackslayer, resigned and joined a new record label, Infinity Records. According to sources, Trackslayer’s deal in infinity records is said to be around Rwf 1m per month. Trackslayer started his career with Unlimited Records together with Fazzo, they both later joined Touch Records until his recent departure. 

Trackslayer is known for producing mega hip-hop tracks for artistes like, Green P, Bull Dogg and Diplomate. He produced Simitooma by Naason and Bull Dogg, Waratunguye by Favour and McTino, Ubuzima Bwanjye by Tru-D, Imachini yanjye by Bull Dogg and Fasaasi wa mbere by Diplomate. He also put his magic touch on Swagga Zacu by MCP ft P Fla, Green P, Bull Dogg, Tru-D, Diplomate, and Fev.

Ray P, Ray Music

Producer Ray P has been active in the entertainment industry for quite some time now and has enormous experience. However, his journey has not been a smooth.

 At one time, his studio was closed down by local authorities over suspected drug abuse related issues, but was later re-opened.

The studio has produced songs for various established artistes like Riderman, Urban Boyz and many upcoming musicians. Some of the hits from Ray Music include the highly successful Bagupfusha ubusa by All stars, Ghetto by P-Fla, Supermarket by Dr. JiJi, McTino and Lucky, Umuringa by Danny Nanone, Simubure by Super level featuring Ibisumizi and Bibaye by Urban Boyz.