Rwandan producers that changed the music game in 2021
Thursday, December 30, 2021
Producers Element and Ayo Rush. Below(L-R): Danny Beats and Pro Zed. / Courtesy photos.

ANY MUSIC LOVER can tell how the sounds, creativity, arrangement and other music production skills changed in the year of 2021.

Rwandan music is slowly getting international recognition after different producers added a flavour in their production.

The New Times brings you some of the producers that are making sounds which will take Rwandan music to another level.

Element

You have certainly heard ‘Eleeeh’ in almost all Rwandan hit songs. The new kid in production has one of the best touches when it comes to music production.

Since Noopja introduced the 22 year old in the music scene, afro beat sounds experienced a boost in the country.

With the help of Bob Pro who mixes almost all  songs produced by him, the kid’s hands are behind hits like ‘Amata,’ ‘Itara,’ ‘Amashu,’ ‘Ikinyafu’ to mention a few.

 Ayo Rash  

Real name Élisée Raha, the 22-year-old is a Rwandan music producer who is behind the best record of 2021 dubbed ‘Away’ by Ariel Ways which generated one million views in less than a month.

Born in DRC, one of the countries with many talents on the continent, Ayo rush relocated to Rwanda three years ago and since then his name has kept on appearing on songs taking over in the country.

The young producer has produced numerous popular songs such as ‘Please Me’ by Junior Kizigenza, Brigade by Marina in less than a year and is establishing an empire showcasing true abilities in Rwandan musicians.

 Danny Beats

Since the day he produced an all-time banger 'Twifunze', Danny Beats progressed his journey of raising young Rwandan musicians to the top through his production skills.

From Sintex, Mike Kayihura, to Bushali and Kivumbi King, Danny Beat’s production introduced a big number of musicians to the music scene.

His touch on Kivumbi’s album ‘DID’ is the reason the project is making high charts and trending in the country.

‘Panchika’ by Kivumbi King featuring Nutty Neithan is one of the projects where one can trace the goodness of Dany Beats production.

Kina Beat

Since the year started, most of the Hip-Hop hits were produced by Kina Beat, real name Clement Nshimiyimana, who is also one of the producers that merged the Drill genre in the country.

The 24- year- old started using fruit loops in high school until he landed on making some of the best hits released this year. "Mood" by Bull Dog, "Amakosi" by Ish Kevin, "Tricky" by Logan Joe ‘Ibitambo’ by Kenny Kshot and many others were all made in his studio.

Pro Zed

In 2015, Shema Darcin Ngabonziza started making music using FL studio, software that makes and mixes beats.

The fast-rising producer was the first to make a drill song in the country with the help of loud sound music, a Rwandan movement of the drillers.

He generated much noise after producing Rwanda ‘Rw’ejo’, the first album of Loud sound that had the best hits like ‘Mukarukundo’ and ‘Mwanawamama’.

In 2021, he won the attention and admiration of many music lovers through producing tracks like ‘Nicyo Gituma’ by B-Threy, ‘Whatever’ by Joe Logan, King Kong and many others.

His appearance on Buravan’s new album is proof that the young producer has really worked in 2021.

 Niz Beats

The 24-year-old was born in Rusizi District. He is the third of five children. In his testimony, he said that he started composing songs in 2013 and started producing in 2015.

The young man, who makes all genres, is more seen under the Afro beat craze due to how it's taking over.

From 2017 he worked at Country Records until he created his own studio dubbed One Touch in 2019.

The young man has produced hits such as 'Igikwe' by Gabiro Guitar and Confy, 'Say My' Name by Kenny Sol,  B-Threy's "Always" and many more others.