It is fair to say that 2023 proved to be a great year for the Rwandan music industry in many ways, not just because several artistes graced the international stage but also it is the year Rwandan music crossed borders.
A lot has happened on the music scene this year, with Rwandan artistes becoming the biggest beneficiaries of the country’s fast growing MICE sector, taking advantage of the many international events and concerts that the country hosted.
It is a year many artistes were able to secure ‘gigs’, performing at different global events and meetings hosted in Rwanda.
A good example is Alyn Sano who performed on platforms such as Women Deliver, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTA) summit and Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH 2023) summit and grand finale.
It goes to show how artistes have benefited from Rwanda hosting the meetings and conferences, whereby entertainment or arts have become an integral part of national plans.
Photos of President Kagame and the First Lady Jeannette Kagame greeting and interacting with artistes, including Israel Mbonyi, The Ben and others invited to the end of year party that the first couple hosted confirms how 2023 has been a successful year for the arts.
Befitting a presidential handshake indeed, gospel singer Mbonyi led the way in breaking boundaries, capturing the East African market with his songs ‘Nina Siri’, ‘Nitaamini’ and his latest ‘Amenisamehe’ dominating airwaves in Kenya and Tanzania.
By the beginning of December, the singer who filled up BK Arena on Christmas, was the most popular East African artiste on YouTube in Kenya, his song ‘Nina Siri’ coming ahead of Diamond Platnumz ft Jux.
The year 2023 saw Rwandan artistes platformed at Trace Music Awards and Festival in October, led by Bruce Melodie, who was awarded the Best Rwandan artiste. Other artistes including Mike Kayihura, Bwiza Emerance, Ish Kevin, Angell Umutoni and Kivumbi, were involved in the music awards and festival in one way or another.
As 2023 ends, it remains to be seen how Rwandan artistes will leverage the platforms and opportunities they got this year, to take their craft to the next level next year, but by and large, it was a successful year for the music industry.