In a fascinating development on January 12, Abdallah Utumatwishima, the Minister of Youth and Arts met with famed rapper Bushali real name Jean Paul Hagenimana, in his office.
The meeting came to reality after the Minister expressed his eagerness on his X platform to connect with the ‘Nituebue’ singer.
The genesis of this meeting can be traced back to a tweet by Minister Utumatwishima, where he wrote "But Bushido said that #Utumatwishima is a woman. Bring him to the office, let’s get to know each other”. This fascinating tweet set the stage for a face-to-face interaction between the minister and the Kinyatrap guru.
ALSO READ: Bushali drops first song on upcoming album 'Full Moon'
According to the rapper, during their rendezvous, they delved into various topics, with the primary focus on his upcoming album, 'Full Moon,' which is generating considerable buzz in the music industry since the release of ‘Ijyeno’ part of the other 17 tracks. The single is doing well.
Talking to The New Times, the ‘Kugasima’ hitmaker disclosed that their conversation touched on the broader context of Rwanda’s music scene, emphasizing the big role music plays in reflecting the spirit of the nation, and entertainment as the source of happiness for many.
"In particular, Utumatwishima pledged to collaborate with artistes to advocate for an increase in entertainment venues across the country. This strategic move aims to provide more platforms for emerging artists and contribute to the vibrant spirit of enjoyment,” he said.
He added: "We discussed a new approach to album releases, opting for a song-by-song strategy over a specific timeframe, typically a month. This allows each song to gain recognition and appreciation from fans.”
The singer believes that albums typically convey almost similar messages and rhythm. Releasing an album with say 17 songs, may not allow sufficient time to deeply explain each song to fans. Taking the time to add value ensures you satisfy your fans according to their expectations.
"This method provides us with the flexibility to plan and decide the timing of releasing the following songs, while contributing to the overall album,” he said.
ALSO READ: The making of Bushali, Kinyatrap
Bushali expressed amazement at the Minister’s perception of rap music, particularly Kinyatrap.
He noted that their efforts are not in vain, as the Minister himself follows their songs, providing hope to musicians like him who strive to reach a wider audience and convey meaningful messages. The 'Niyibizi' singer emphasized that Rwandan artistes have role to proudly represent their country wherever they go.
As one of Rwanda’s prominent rappers, Bushali has been instrumental in co-pioneering the Kinyatrap sub-genre under Green Ferry Music. His presence within the label has been evident through a number of collaborations, albums, mixtapes and other music projects.