AS RWANDAN music continues to take significant steps in the right direction, Chill Flvcko, real name Ian Adam Bazirake, a rapper, has big plans for the music industry.

Born and raised in Rwanda, Bazirake started writing songs at a young age, and, he says, music chose him. With supportive parents, the young artiste decided to start making music after high school. 

"I started writing songs at the age of nine in 2012. Music for me is therapy, a hobby and job. It is almost everything for me,” says Bazirake.

After a long time of writing different pieces of music, Bazirake released his first songs in an Extended Playlist (EP) in 2021. 

The EP dubbed "25th Aug” has three songs; ‘A Love Song On BBC’, ‘Big Time’ and ‘2018’, and, he says, the songs were well received, but he needs to work harder to build his fan-base. 

Asked about his music style, Bazirake says he is a versatile rapper, doing UK drill, slat, trap soul, and afro-beat.

"I want to reach a global level, and I will get there by making more tracks for my fans and doing collabos with big artistes in the city,” he says with anticipation. 

"The thing I love most about being an artiste, is when someone listens to my song and it uplifts them, it is my moment of joy. 

"I look up to my mom who inspires me in many ways, and Kanye West,” he says. 

Bazirake says that he is enthused by various matters, including depression, people, and the environment.

"Every person has a story to tell, and when I listen to them, it gives me ideas on how I can share their narrative via song, and in some ways, it helps or uplifts someone who listens to it,” says Bazirake. 

Challenges

Following dreams can sometimes be challenging, Bazirake says, and points out some challenges he faces in the music industry and how he copes with them.

"Finding means to do your songs and finishing up with everything can be a challenge but promoting the song after it is done is likely to hit harder,” says Bazirake. "It is hard most of the time to find suitable promotion for your work, and when you do, it is expensive,” he adds. 

According to Bazirake, the music industry in Rwanda is making great steps and what’s needed is more hard work and support. 

"The Rwandan music industry is growing, and every artiste is doing their best to make good music and make fans happy; through working together and supporting each other, we are taking big steps,” says Bazirake.

Bazirake is currently a student at Adventist University of Central Africa (AUCA) studying international business. He says that learning and making music helps him maintain balance as he follows his dreams and prepares for a good future.