Patrick Ishimwe, also known as Faggy Kayinamura, has found a niche in song-writing, something that has given his livelihood a boost, and his future a brighter chance, given his humble beginnings.

Born in Gatsibo District, Kiramuruzi Sector, Ishimwe lost his mother when he was only five years old and had to live with different families until he settled with an aunt whom he says was very helpful.

When he was in Senior 2, Ishimwe who didn’t get a chance to live with his father due to poor health and living conditions, realised that staying with his aunt was also burdening given that she too was financially unstable.

Ishimwe felt hopeless and decided to leave his aunt’s home and head to Kigali to look for a job and make money.

On reaching Kigali, he worked for a Rwandan who had just returned from Uganda, as a butler.

Based on the things Ishimwe had written down from time to time, his boss realised that he had talent, something Ishimwe had also thought about in primary school although he didn’t give it attention.

"I would write some funny lines and people would laugh, but I didn’t value that because they were happy, but I was dying inside due to my poor living condition,” he says.

While working as a butler, his talent lingered, and that compelled him to start writing songs not knowing what to do with them.

His boss loved them and told him he was good at writing and that he could become a good songwriter, and gave him examples of people who made a living from song writing, which boosted his passion.

His employer connected him to artistes who didn’t help, before he met Knox Beats who loved and believed in what he was doing.

Ishimwe’s boss eventually left for the United States but encouraged him to not give up but keep pushing, and pledged to keep supporting. And so Ishimwe started looking for a way to expand his talent in a way that would benefit him.

The first song he wrote with the help of Knox Beats, ‘Champagne’ by Davis D, was unfortunately not released. The first one he wrote that got released is called ‘Mu Maso Yawe’ by Naason. He has since added ‘Muhe’ by Safi Madiba, ‘Ihogoza’ by Zizou Alpacino featuring The Ben, ‘Ubudahwema’ by King James, ‘Tasiyana’ by Pride, among others, to the list.

Ishimwe says he wrote different songs for the love of music and as a way of building his name although he wasn’t getting paid.

Most artistes that he worked with appreciated his work. Today, song-writing has changed his life since he is no longer a butler and can now afford to pay bills and get more work.

Some people in Rwanda, however, are yet to understand the value of song-writing and different artistes also don’t want to give songwriters credit, which for him is a challenge.

Ishimwe is writing other songs and seeks to have a successful career in music as a songwriter, where those in need of lyrics can approach him.

You can reach Ishimwe on 0784832107