Christopher, Kina Music part ways

Singer Christopher Muneza has parted ways with Kina Music label, days after he emerged second in the Primus GumaGuma Superstar Season 6 competition.

Tuesday, August 23, 2016
Christopher Muneza, 22, has decided to quit KINA Music after 7 years. (Net photo.)

Singer Christopher Muneza has parted ways with Kina Music label, days after he emerged second in the Primus GumaGuma Superstar Season 6 competition.

An announcement put out by Kina Music boss Clement Ishimwe on Monday afternoon, indicated that Kina Music and the R&B singer had ‘amicably’ agreed to go separate ways, seven years after he was signed to the label.

In an interview with The New Times, Clement said that the decision was based on a ‘mutual understanding’ and that there was no disagreement between him and Christopher.

"The decision was based on a mutual understanding. We didn’t disagree on anything,” Clement affirmed in a phone interview.

The singer emerged second in the annual music competition and walked away with Rwf7.5m and, a set of music instruments.

Both Kina Music and Christopher released a statement confirming the decision to go separate ways.

"After discussions between the leadership of Kina Music and Christopher concerning his future with the label, both sides agreed to terminate the existing contract binding them,”

"From now onwards, Christopher will not be represented by Kina Music,” the short statement reads. Efforts to reach Christopher were futile but the singer took to his Instagram to thank Clement.

"Thank you very much Clement. I will never forget that it is with you that we built the foundation of my music,” he said.

The singer joined the label in 2009 at the age of 15, in an audition organised by Clement, to pick a young Rwanda singer to nurture and he went on to release a number of songs which have made him a household name.

Christopher was later joined in the label by Knowless, who recently tied the knot with Clement, Tom Close and Dream Boys. The label is considered the most successful in Rwanda.

Born on January 30, 1994, Christopher is among the most promising and established Rwandan artistes who might go on to break regional and international barriers.

He has to his name such songs as Irijoro, which he did with Danny Nanone and ensured his breakthrough. He then released more songs including Habona, Babyumva, Ndabyemeye, Agatima, Urubavu and Abasitari, among others.

He has also done several collaborations including Wowe with Knowless, Ndakabya with Riderman as well as many others done under Kina Music.

Clement has previously spoken of Christopher highly. Some sources indicate that the singer felt the need to move on and start something on his own since last year.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw