Bushali’s identity, talent shine in his bold 17-track ‘Full Moon’ LP
Thursday, October 10, 2024
Celebrating the launch of his senior LP, Bushali blends tradition and talent in a night to remember. COURTESY

The rollout for Bushali’s senior LP has been nothing short of remarkable—exactly what you'd expect from a seasoned artiste. His growth is evident, and that’s not just from an outsider’s view.

When he took the stage at the ‘Full Moon’ Listening Party last week, he embodied the essence of the Rwandan spirit.

Now, don’t get me wrong—Bushali has always been rooted in his identity, often likening himself to a gorilla, a symbol synonymous with Rwanda. Just as gorillas are rare and revered, the talent showcased in this upcoming release is exactly what the hip-hop scene has been craving.

‘Full Moon’ features 17 tracks, a bold choice at a time when most albums cap at 12. Rap fans were more than ready for this, and while I initially wondered if some tracks should have been saved for a deluxe version, it became clear—they all need to be heard, now.

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In a conversation with Bushali&039;s management, they explained, "Bushali is a big name now, so a lot had to be considered before delivering a project of this caliber to his fans.” This was their response to the long-awaited album that has been teased since the beginning of the year.

Bushali teamed up with some of the biggest names in the game, most notably Kenya’s very own Khaligraph Jones, widely regarded as one of the finest rappers in Africa. Other standout collaborations include Kivumbi King, Slum Drip, B-Threy, and Nillan.

As someone who's followed the Kinyatrap co-founder since his debut in 2013, many tracks felt nostalgic, while others were fresh and groundbreaking. The collaboration with Slum Drip and B-Threy was especially meaningful, as these artistes broke onto the scene together, facing the ups and downs of the rap world side by side.

ALSO READ: Why Rwandan music is attracting global artistes

"The album officially drops on November 22, but before then, we wanted to give fans a glimpse into Bushali's growth," management added. "Two videos will be released ahead of the album—one on October 11 and another on November 1."

So far, Bushali has dropped two tracks from the upcoming LP: Ijyeno and Sinzatinda. The first is an upbeat drill track, while the second brings a melodic twist to the drill sound. Both songs explore Bushali’s journey—how he entered the rap scene with dreams of making it big, only to find himself surprised by the realities of fame and wondering how to navigate his newfound success.

ALSO READ: Bushali drops first song on upcoming album 'Full Moon'

The cover art reflects Bushali’s personal evolution, featuring him alongside his wife and two children, set against the backdrop of a full moon, all dressed in fencing attire. The project was crafted by a team of talented producers, including Muriro, Stallion, Kinabeat, Yewe, Elvis Beat, Hubert Beat, Pastor P, Package, Kush Beat, and Lee John.

Co-produced by his wife, Pontesiano, and their children, Full Moon will be available for pre-sale starting Friday, October 11. Fans can also access exclusive album merchandise through his social media platforms.