On the cover

Rapper/producer Denis Kayonga Muganza (Darkecy), is an upcoming star, who has been in existence almost as long as his age.

Saturday, August 07, 2010
Denis Muganza

Rapper/producer Denis Kayonga Muganza (Darkecy), is an upcoming star, who has been in existence almost as long as his age.

Fresh from a trip in Germany where he headlined in a talent show dubbed ‘Night of Talents, the teenage sensational rapper seems relaxed but focused about his talent and future.

On his music background, Muganza said, "I grew up listening to music, but I got inspiration from my friends and international artists performing on TV.”

However, the 15-year-old student of Green Hills Academy, admits that artists who sing in foreign languages, like English have a smaller audience in the country, because most artists perform in Kinyarwanda.

After recording and releasing his tracks, ‘About To Explode’, ‘Some Day’ ft Holly and ‘Till I Get It’ ft Mike, Muganza is determined to take his music to another level. He posts his on the Internet, especially on Youtube, which he is more than thrilled about.

Talking to him, it’s easy to see that he is positive, and excited about where he is now and where he is heading.

Muganza says that he is learning a good amount adopting knowledge from other experienced hip-hop and rappers, but throws in the caveat that he would still leave now if he could, and that his education always takes a first seat to his musical career.

Lately, Muganza has been involved in several performances, including dance competitions at school, house parties, and he recently performed at Planet club.

Muganza is wise beyond his age. He has no qualms about drawing on his past experiences to make "art that is honest.”

This is something that is clearly important to him, as he continually inserts the phrase in his answers during our meeting. Royalty is a clear example of this.

He confides that he listens almost exclusively to hip-hop and rap music, to improve his skills.

The teenage sensation emotes sophistication and poise, self-assurance and grace as he sings and swings his way through the lyrics of his music.

Ends