In today's digital age, it has become increasingly common for even the most casual content to go viral in an instant, thrusting its creator into the limelight overnight.
This was precisely the case for Marie Solange Nishimwe, better known as Sol Solange, and her viral sensation, 'Uko nageze' (literal translation, How I went to/How I got to).
In an exclusive sit-down interview with The New Times, Sol Solange shared her journey from an everyday social media user to an overnight sensation.
Her rise to fame began when she innocently posted a video capturing her experience at Atelier Du Vin, a local hangout spot. Little did she know this video would skyrocket her into fame, becoming the talk of the town in the process, in a good way.
Reflecting on her newfound influence, Sol Solange admitted that she didn't even consider herself funny before. She said, "At first, it was a bit confusing, and even offending, because everyone found my video hilarious, even though I had simply shared my thoughts and experiences without any intention to be funny."
Intrigued, she turned to her brother for an honest critique. "I remember showing the video to my brother, who had already watched it multiple times, and I pleaded with him to point out any mispronunciations or embarrassing moments. I couldn't understand what made it so funny," she shared laughingly.
Sol Solange, a 24-year-old university student, is currently pursuing a degree in Public Health at Mount Kigali University. Passionate about sharing snippets of her life with the world, she has always enjoyed capturing videos and pictures that she later shares on her social media platforms.
Referring to herself as a travel and lifestyle content creator, she dreams of exploring various places and taking on different adventures, like the Gorilla trekking experience in the Volcanoes National Park.
Additionally, her trendy videos have already opened doors for collaboration with prominent brands, such as BK Arena.
Her videos often feature her humoristic voice-over, each meticulously edited to perfection, which usually takes around 40 minutes of dedicated work, she said.
"I began taking content creation seriously in November 2022. However, I don&039;t want to be swept away by fame. Instead, I want to focus on impactful storytelling," she continued.
While Sol Solange doesn't consider herself a comedian, she loves the idea of bringing a smile or a chuckle to someone's face.
She said, "I'm not a comedian, but I don't mind making someone smile or jiggle if I can. However, going forward, I want to find a way to link it to causes dear to my heart, like public health issues for instance," she said.
She further explained that her content is usually spontaneous, but she intends to explore new avenues to monetize her potential, which will require more planning and strategy moving forward.
Undeterred by setbacks and casual online browbeat, Sol Solange cherishes uniqueness and originality, which is why she likes making her content mostly in Kinyarwanda.
Not only is Sol Solange a talented content creator, but she is also a singer—a passion she pursues for the sheer joy it brings her. In her free time, she belts out tunes or visits her family in their countryside home.
Growing up, Sol Solange wanted to be a journalist, something she feels is still possible; however, differently, blending in her passion for creative expression to raise awareness for critical health issues.
"I don't think there's one specific way to do things. For instance, I want to find a way to incorporate creative storytelling in health causes," she continued.
"Like, how cool would it be to trend and be impactful at the same time," she exclaimed.