Rwandan singer and composer, Kenny Mirasano is on a mission to promote different cultural Rwandan music styles (gakondo), helping Rwandans to realise how rich their culture is.

"Most people do not know that Rwandan culture houses many styles of music. My music aims to explore them,” said the 23-year-old artiste who is also a storyteller.

One of his songs found on "Umuntu”, his recently-released Extended Play, Amazi, depicts one of the styles that he said originates from Northern Rwanda.

Growing up, Mirasano was in a children’s choir although he didn’t like singing. He said it was only because her mother used to take him to church.

"At the time, I wished to be either a medical doctor when I grow up or an international rugby player as I used to play rugby since Primary 5,” he said.

Mirasano began singing again when he was 15, inspired by the fact that there wasn’t a rugby team at the high school he was attending.

At the time, he formed a singing group with his friends and ended up becoming their conductor. He said that music became part of his daily life, something which compelled him to figure out that he was talented and later in 2018 joined Nyundo School of Music.

Mirasano said he is always inspired by nature and people, adding that his music is for everyone.

"Most of the time, I sing what I’ve experienced or maybe what people that I know experience,” he said. "I’m mostly into fusion; I mix cultures from different places with the most influence of Rwandan gakondo because it is what I know the most. I’m mostly lyrical, so most of my songs are songs to listen to.”

On December 9, Mirasano had his first concert named True Mutu. He said it motivated him after realising that more people like what he does. He noted that they encouraged him to keep working hard and smart.

His EP called "Umuntu” which means "human” consists of three songs: Umuntu, Humble, and Amazi. He said he named it Umuntu because the songs portray his opinions about how people need to live as well as what they need to change.

"Humble” urges people to stay humble as if they are at the same level of living while "Amazi” compels people to work hard to survive.

Mirasano said music gave him peace of mind.

"Music heals. I’m doing what I like more. I’m spreading the message that the world needs and so I got peace of mind and heart,” he said.

The artiste has performed on both local and international stages including JAMAFEST 2019 in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, Les ateliers de la pensée in Dakar, Senegal with Little Kesho team, Little Kesho performance in Sevran, France as well as Visa for Music 2022 in Rabat. Morocco.

At all those stages, he said he witnessed that people love Rwandan music styles which encouraged him to keep exploring them.

"Now, I can take care of myself and my family, just because of art,” said Mirasano, explaining how his music has been beneficial to him.

However, he still has a challenge that revolves around people who are only focusing on one style of music, explaining that they only want to dance without listening.

"The other challenge,” he continued, "is the way Rwandans don’t realise how rich their culture is. This makes me really sad but I’m breaking through by not giving up and keeping my focus sharp.”

Mirasano plans to have more small concerts in 2023, videos for his songs, and an album launch.