Songstress Rita Ange Kagaju has finally released her much-awaited Extended Play (EP) "Volume”. The EP was due to be out in August but she postponed its release due to delays by the distributor.
"The release was delayed because our distributor took longer than anticipated in their inspection process. It usually takes three weeks but they took longer than that. So yes, we had issues with our music distributor company basically,” Rita Ange Kagaju told The New Times.
The 23-year-old singer first captured the hearts of Rwandans in 2017 with her participation in the "I&039;m the Future” music competition. She stepped away from the music scene in 2021 to pursue studies in the United States, putting her career on hold to focus on studies.
She has made her long-awaited return to the spotlight in July with her latest EP "Volume” which is finally out and streaming.
ALSO READ: Three years out of spotlight, Rita Ange Kagaju is back!
About the EP
Kagaju’s return to the spotlight comes as a breath of fresh air for her fans, who have been waiting for new music and undeniably "Volume” does not disappoint.l
"It was simply long overdue”, she explained how her time away studying made it difficult to stay connected to music.
But, the moment she returned to Rwanda in 2023, her focus was to get back into the studio.
"Music is the first thing I think about when I think of home. Music and culture. It naturally happened," she said.
For Kagaju, recording this EP felt "spontaneous, more unplanned than structured and a little chaotic but worth it in all ways possible.
"I would also describe it as a short-lived process that reminded me of everything, I love about being a musician, and not just a musician anywhere else but specifically in Rwanda. There’s a different side of my musicality that comes out when I am in Rwandan and I didn’t realise how much I missed it until I started working on this EP."
Produced by Ida Records, ‘Volume’ features six songs: "Munyana", "Need Me", "Usiende", "Talk", "Time", and "To Love". The project displays her versatility, mixing various styles and genres that highlight her artistry and growth over the years.
"Usiende,” a Swahili title loosely translated as"Don’t Go,” is the only track on Rita Ange Kagaju’s EP available in both audio and visual versions, adding an extra aspect to her latest work.
A standout track, "Munyana”, a deeply personal song inspired by the events of the wedding of Kagaju’s sister. In the track, the singer recounted sitting with her mother one night, trying to imagine the emotions involved in stepping into her own married life.
"Munyana” was actually a song I wrote for my soul sister—she was about to get married and wanted me to perform at her wedding. She is one of the most down to earth people you’ll ever meet and I just knew I had to give her something special for her wedding.”
"I started writing things and singing them out loud. My mom thought it was good, but she’s usually very nonchalant about my music,” she said.
The final version, however, left her mother in awe, and the song itself became one of Kagaju’s favourites. "Munyana” is named after her sister, Remy, and captures a special blend of love, family, and nostalgia in the beautiful Gakondo style.
ALSO READ: My debut album represents who I am as an artiste, says Rita Ange Kagaju
The EP also features one collaboration "Need Me", with Rwandan rapper Kivumbi King.
"Kivumbi is vibes. He was born to be who he is. His charisma, positivity, and talent made it one of the easiest studio sessions I have ever had,” she said of the Kivumbi.
The "Sweet Thunder" singer hailed the rapper’s ability to support and uplift others, something she feels is often lacking in the Rwandan music industry.
Music as a way to leave a lasting legacy
Kagaju values the personal connections her music can create. She said that her work isn&039;t purely on fame or numbers but she was still overwhelmed but the reception from her fans since resumed music.
"I feel fulfilled when a song I made touches one, two, or three people who then compose a paragraph confessing their love for the craft. That’s enough for me. I simply don’t want the songs I write to die with me and that’s why I do this. When these songs go out there and revive positive emotions in anyone, I am happy," she said.
Kagaju sees music as a way to leave a lasting legacy, and the positive reception to her latest work has reaffirmed her desire to continue.
"I love Rwandans and their enthusiasm when it comes to things they love. They love music that speaks to them and I am just honoured to be able to deliver something close to that," she said.
Looking ahead, Kagaju revealed that she’s already writing for her third album and hopes to bring even more raw emotion to her music.
"I am praying that this album becomes the raw album it looks like it will be. I truly can’t wait to share more of myself and I am just excited that there is this plan in the first place to make another album and still do something I deeply care about but feel alienated from, sometimes — Music," she said.
The EP is available on all major digital music platforms.