Burundian Zouk artiste, Jean-Christopher Matata, dies on tour in South Africa where he was scheduled to perform. He died January 3, of natural causes—aged 50.

Gone but not forgotten

Born 1960, in the Burundian capital, Bujumbura, Matata, began his musical career at the age of 18.
Matata came to Rwanda in 1986, where he developed a career as a singer/songwriter and, joined African Nile, a famous band at the time.

He released his debut album ‘Amaso akunda’ 1987, followed by ‘Ihorere Ntusarare’ and ‘Umpora iki.’

The Burundian veteran singer had lived in Belgium for a long time but was currently based in Rwanda. He was a regular performer at Sky Hotel in Kigali.

Matata had released more than 200 singles, including his famous tracks ‘Nyegera Cyane’, ‘Ntuntumeyo’ and ‘Nyaranja.’

"I was shocked by Matata’s sudden death,” Tom Close, a local singer said, "I’m really terrified.”

He continued "Matata was a pioneer of music both in Rwanda and Burundi and I wished to do collaboration with him.”

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