Mike Kayihura, a Rwandan soul music artiste who started singing at the age of 13 in a church choir, has been nominated in RFI Prix Découvertes Awards.

Founded in 1981, the awards are set to highlight new musical talents from French-speaking African nations each year.

The singer has been nominated for his latest single "Sabrina”, which he claims was "nothing planned”.  

After its initial post in May 2020, fans took to social media to appreciate the talent.

Produced by Danny Beats, the Afro-soul song features a character named ‘Sabrina’ in a cozy room with her head leaning on the shoulder of her lover, enjoying the good things of life while acting like a diva.

The Trust me hitmaker is pitted against fellow Africans from the French-speaking region such as Mamy Cruz, JsideB and Moonaya from Senegal, Nix Ozay, and Young Ace Waye from Congo Brazzaville, Ami Yerewolo from Mali, Shan’l La Kinda from Gabon, Manamba Kante from Guinea and D6bel from Tchad. 

Speaking to The New Times, Kayihura said he feels honored by the nomination because it was his second time on trial as he had lost to Social Mula last year.

"I had tried to contest last year, but I was not selected, so I feel very proud of this”, he says.

The 27-year-old is urging music fans in Rwanda and around the world to vote for him and help him raise Rwandan music at the international scene.

"I think that voting for me will not only impact my career, but that’s also why Rwandans should vote for me as if they are voting for all Rwandan artistes”, he explains.

The instrumentalist is considered one of Rwanda’s most talented artistes who has stuck to his script, shunning general pop music which is mainly studio made, instead preferring to take his time and produce real music. For some, he is the John Legend of Rwanda.

The voting exercise is set to be completed on December 3, 2020. RFI Prix Découvertes award was last won by Rwandan artiste Yvan Buravan in 2018.