AFTER decades of lack of thriving entertainment industry in Rwanda, artistes are hot on the heels to take the country’s music industry to another level.

It’s obviously a very good idea as there are a lot of Rwandans and other people even outside the country who crave for the local music and vibrant social scene.

Musicians have joined efforts to enhance their skills and boost the industry. They are set to start using online music stores and hit international music scale.

Andrew Cole Kaggwa said:  "The local music hasn’t yet touched the East African entertainment scale. We have to work hard and also start composing songs in even other languages, like Swahili and English, if we’re targeting regional and international markets.”

Kaggwa, 25, alias Dre, is a singer-songwriter. He was born in Kampala, Uganda to a Ugandan mother and Rwandan father. Kaggwa said his musical passion developed while he was in secondary and used to do karaoke and mining which he believes helped him to improve his talent.

"I came to Rwanda for my first time in 2008 to visit my father and released that the country’s music industry had a potential to grow, Kaggwa said, "I’m now back to establish my music career here but also contribute its development.”

The singer is already poised to become a leading presence in the country’s entertainment development. His music is an innovative approach to fusing great melodies and rhythms, with daily experience that resonate music genres, such as, R&B, Reggae and Dancehall into an intoxicating fusion of sounds.

Aside from his solo career – of which he has released two singles, ‘Never walk away, and ‘Girl you’re mine’– Kaggwa has done collaborations with several musicians and released songs: ‘Nakutamani’, featuring Alpha Rwirangira’, ‘Naku-love’, with Uncle Austin and his latest track with Tom Close, ‘She says she loves me’ with Tom Close.”

Cendric Fatyson Ruregeya, a.k.a Mr. Fatyson, is among the artistes who have teamed up to boost the music scene.
The 22-year-old is famous for a number of songs, including ‘Ntahwe’, ‘Sweetest’, ‘Ubuzima’ and ‘Umpebye ibi?’ Fat has completed recording his latest track ‘Niwowe’ with Kaggwa.

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