As curtains fall on the year 2014, it is time to look back and remember the songs that topped the charts this year. Like 2013, it has been yet another great year for Rwandan music. The New Times conducted a mini-survey to find out which songs got people on their feet whenever played and got many people singing.
As curtains fall on the year 2014, it is time to look back and remember the songs that topped the charts this year.
Like 2013, it has been yet another great year for Rwandan music. The New Times conducted a mini-survey to find out which songs got people on their feet whenever played and got many people singing.
We looked at songs that dominated radio playlists throughout the year as well as songs that were watched more than others on Youtube. We also talked to radio personalities and DJ’s as well as random people on the streets to know which songs they enjoyed listening to this year.
While there is no song for example that matched last year’s club banger ‘Fata fata’ by DJ Zizou, Rwandan artistes churned out a number of songs that were loved not only on radio stations and TV’s but also in clubs and online.
Ntagukoza Isoni by Danny Nanone. Source: Afrifame/YouTube
As observed by 98.7 KFM presenter MC Tino (real names Martin Kasirye), there were a lot of good songs this year but those released towards the end of the year, particularly in November and December tend to get more air play because they are released at the time when the festive mood has set in.
Yaciye Ibintu by King James. Source: Afrifame/YouTube
"There is a high chance that if you release a danceable track let’s say in November, by the time the festive season and the parties come in, it will still be fresh in the minds of the people compared to one which was released in March,” says Tino, who is also a member of boy group TBB.
Such songs include ‘Nibisanzwe’ by King James and ‘Ni Danger’ by Danny Vumbi whose videos premiered in November. ‘Tulia’ by Knowless which also has an exceptional video is among the songs which have ended the year on a high.
According to DJ Anita Pendo, to determine which songs dominated 2014, one has to look at how often these songs were requested on radio and TV stations as well as in clubs.
"You will definitely know that a song is a hit when callers keep asking for the same song or when you are playing at a club, or attending concerts and revellers keep asking for the song to be played,” says Pendo, who is also a presenter at Magic FM.
Some of the people interviewed said that they related or liked certain songs for the message contained. Among those cited by fans is ‘Nyabarongo’ by Ama G de Black and Safi Madiba of Urban Boys.
‘Nyabarongo’ is about people who leave their villages headed to the capital Kigali to work and meet hardships in the city but vow never to cross back to their villages until they get rich.
Arampagije by Serge Iyamuremye. Source: Ibyishimo Byacu/YouTube
The song relates to many because most people will have to cross River Nyabarongo at some point as they head out to Kigali.
Akagezi ka Mushoroza by Mani Martin. Source: Mani Martin/YouTube
‘Ni Danger’ by Danny Vumbi is also identified among the songs packaged with message. The song is about the youth who have abandoned their culture and language particularly by lacing Kinyarwanda language with slangs.
Yantumye by King James. Source: Afrifame/YouTube
Darkest Hours by Sabrina Iyadede. Source: Afrifame/YouTube
Other factors that determined how songs faired was the quality of video with those shot outside Rwanda, such as King James’s ‘Ntibisanzwe’ shot in the US and ‘Tulia’ by Knowless shot in Kenya easily finding their way to the top.
This year there were many joint collabos which made it to the top of the charts including ‘Nikonabaye’, yet another hit from DJ Zizou of ‘Fata fata’ fame, ‘Byakuvuna’ by Kina Music affair and‘Rendezvous’ by Oda Paccy among others.
There were also collabos made between Rwandan artistes and other African artistes which also made the cut.
These included ‘Tayari’ by Urban Boys featuring Iyanya and ‘Hallo’ by Bruce Melodie and Fille among others.
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The list of songs that topped chats in 2014 compiled in a mini-survey based on interviews with radio presenters, DJ’s, and showbiz journalists:
Hip Hop1. OMG - Jay Polly2. Nyabarongo - Ama G de Black3. Malaika - Jay Polly4. Nk’Umusaza - Bulldog5. Cugusa - Riderman6. Ny’iringoma - Bulldog7. Ntagukoza Isoni - Danny Nanone8. Itangishaka- Fireman ft King James9. Forever - DanyNanone10. Sweet Poupou - Young Grace
RnB/Afro Beat1. Yantumye - King James2. Yawe - Urban Boys3. Niko Nabaye - DJ Zizou4. YaciyeIbintu- King James5. Uzahahe Uronke - Dream Boys6. Ntujy’uhinduka - Bruce Melody7. ZizaneTuzinywe - King James8. Ni Danger- Danny Vumbi9. Dusimbuke – Active10. Sweet Mutima - Knowless11. Sinzahinduka - Kode ft Urban boys12. Tayari - Urban Boys ft Iyanya13. Arabizi by Ciney14. Rendezvous- Paccyetal15. Karimo by Jody16. Hello - Fille Mutoni ft. Bruce Melody17. Carolina-Gabiroft Dream Boys18. Birakaze - Alpha ftKidum19. Yampaye Inka - TBB20. Babyumva - Christopher
Gospel1. Arampagije - Serge Iyamuremye2. Mpisha Mumababa - Thacien Titus3. I.D-Bright - Patrick ft. Gaby Kamanzi4. Amagambo Yanjye - Patient Bizimana5. N’ushimwe - Patient Bizimana
Traditional1. Akagezi ka Mushoroza - Mani Martin2. Umpe Akanya - Teta Diane3. Kwifata - Teta Diane4. Ngera- Jules Sentore5. Urabaruta Bose - Jules Sentore
Alternative1. Darkest Hours - Sabrina Iyadede
Song of the Year Yantumye - King James