Grace Abayizera, commonly known as ‘Young Grace’, was the first female to ever try her luck at rapping and at only 23; she has already made her mark on the music scene. She talked to Women Today’s Sharon Kantengwa about her journey and what her plans for the future are.

The perception about female rappers is not rosy. What is it like being a female rapper in Rwanda?

Many people associate rap music with drugs, alcohol and violence. They think that female rappers are failures in school, drug addicts. It’s painful that people think of us that way. I try to ignore that and concentrate on my career because different artists have different personalities. It’s my dream to give hip hop culture the respect and good reputation that it deserves. 

Do you feel like being a female rapper is more accepted now?

I think it is more accepted now because I have fans of different age groups and from the encouraging messages I receive from them, I think people are beginning to seriously appreciate rap music more. 

Who is Young Grace?

I was born 23 years ago and everybody knows me as Young Grace because I started singing when I was only 17 years old. I am a firm believer in the Islamic faith, and I am the first born in a family of three children. I am single.

Why did you choose this path of rap music?

Since my childhood, I was considered a tom-boy because I used to dress and behave like a boy. I loved listening to rap music. Although I knew that I had a gift to sing, I found rapping easier for me although I now mix it with some RnB from time to time. It was also easier for me to choose this path because my family has been very supportive from the day I announced that this is what I wanted to do.

Did you always want a career in the showbiz?

I loved singing since I was a small child, and because I had the talent, I decided that I would exploit it and earn income from it.

Apart from singing, what else do you do?

I do fashion and design for both males and females. My grandmother was a trained tailor and she taught me to do design. This career was inspired by friends and fans who appreciated the designs that I wore on stage, and would ask me to do the same designs for them. I then decided to pursue it and now, I actually earn from it.

What aspects of hip hop do you want people to pay attention to most?

Hip hop delivers lots of messages and advice. Rwandans ought to listen more to the message other than judge artists. It is easier to grasp the message in hip hop than with other music genres. With hip hop, you can write a line and develop your story and it is easier to develop your story from beginning to the end no matter how long it is.

What would you say have been the biggest highlights of your career so far?

Being able to compete with other big music artists in the Guma Guma competition and being able to do music collaborations with artists like Bulldog, who are actually respected in the music circles in Rwanda.

Who is your role model on the music scene?

Janelle Monáe, an American music artist. I am inspired by her hard work and determination to see her career succeed.

What is your philosophy in life?

God has a thousand ways for everyone. If one way fails to work out, do not give up because there are many more ways you can use to reach your destiny.

What is your next plan?

I plan to sing in other languages like English, Swahili and French, and I want to do collaborations with different artists across the border like Sheeba Karungi of Uganda. I hope to graduate one day and get a better job though I will definitely continue singing. 

What advice do you have for the youth?

Excessive alcohol and drugs are dangerous and destructive to young people. Life is too short which is why we should make the best out of it by being focused on your dream and working hard.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw