Canada-based Rwandan singer and guitarist Ezra Kwizera (pictured) has won the award for Best Canadian Afro Beat Artiste at the just-concluded African Descent Festival, representing East and Central Africa contemporary.

The festival was intended to celebrate the cultural diversity of people of African descent within Vancouver, while recognising and promoting attitudes of oneness among all ethnic groups and communities. The event focused on activating public spaces and bringing a diverse range of programming to connect stakeholders working avidly for the long-term sustainability of this population.

The African Descent Festival, also known as ADF, targets cultural groups, young adults of African descent, and the general public around the lower mainland, Fraser Valley, British Columbia and Canada as a whole.

The record producer-cum-actor, is known for his gospel and country music songs, among which include, "Bwana, Humura, Just Hold On and Igwe.’’

Kwizera’s music carries the spark of life along with the complex undertones of people. Having a richly multi-ethnic performance style, the singer fluidly sings in English, Kinyarwanda, Luganda, Zulu and Swahili, infusing flavours of reggae, soca, East African bongo, and pop in his songs.

Born and raised in Uganda in 1980, Kwizera and his family returned to his motherland— Rwanda, in 1994, shortly after the Genocide against the Tutsi, before he relocated to Canada, where he is the president of the Rwandan community.

He has contributed to the local music scene, and has supported a number of upcoming Rwandan artistes to realise their dream of making it in the music industry, through his locally based studio, Narrow Road Production, which is managed by Pastor P.

In an interview with The New Times, he said he is honoured, and still in shock for having won the award for the best African Afro Beat artiste with African descent.

‘’I am still in shock for having received this award, because I didn’t compete with only East African artistes, but with the entire Africa, and it is such a huge achievement for me,’’ he said.

Kwizera has been on a music tour in Belgium, Franca, and intends to return to Rwanda for a performance and to celebrate with Rwandans his achievement. He also plans to start projects in the country, which will include an NGO that will support disadvantaged people.

 editor@newtimesrwanda.com