The journey to stardom through the eyes of Christopher

AT only 19 years of age he has made a name on the music scene. He was the youngest contestant in the third season of Primus Guma Guma SuperStar as a high school student. Christopher Muneza is a musician on the move. During the previous Primus Guma Guma Super Star competition that featured famous names in the music industry, Christopher as he is fondly known by his fans, stood out as the youngest contestant. But it is his ability to juggle between music and education that has endeared him more to his fans. A former APACE secondary school student, Christopher’s modesty has over shadowed pride that comes with fame. “When you have a schedule, you can do a lot within a short time. I also have a stable management team that helps me handle everything from producing music to directing and shooting music videos,” says Christopher. “My talent obliges me to make music. But school is also an obligation you have to go through, no matter how much you think you are talented you need education,” he explains. Though he began doing music professionally in mid-2009, Christopher has had interest in music for as long as he can remember. “I grew up listening to music by the likes of Bennie Rutabana and Craig David. I have always had an ear for good music’’. In 2009, Kina Music (a Kigali-based production house) organised a talent search in which Christopher emerged a winner. He was given an opportunity to work with the studio. Five years down the road, he is looking forward to his album launch on February 15. Since the debut of his music career, the artiste who is waiting for his senior six results, has gone through what most artistes term as the breaking phase where your hard work is either appreciated or rejected. But he kept ‘screaming’ till they heard him. “In the beginning, it’s a bit difficult to get heard and have crowds to appreciate your music. It can be hard to have your music played on radio stations. All that doesn’t come in one day; it is slow and requires patience and consistency,” explains Christopher. The R&B singer admits that the music industry in the country is still growing and it requires artistes to grow with the industry. “Currently, artistes get most of their income through endorsement deals and from performances; it is time we began seeing them make money from album sales. That will mean stepping up the quality of their music from production to vocals and to what they write. It is all possible,” he urges. Though he is mostly spotted in nightclubs performing in front of half-drunk patrons, there is a side of him that the cameras rarely capture— the religious side. He is always wearing a rosary around his neck that most would assume is just an accessory, but to Christopher it is more than that. He is not loud about it and few would imagine him in the St. Augustine’s church choir or lining up to receive Holy Communion. “Being a Christian and a believer, I take it all the way and do all that my faith and religion requires of me. My church mates are supportive and understand that music is my job,” he explains. He has a gospel song on his ten track album that he is soon releasing. He says he has gotten to where he is because of good planning. “In five years, together with the rest of the artistes signed by Kina Music label plan, we will be the biggest names not only in the country but also in the region.”

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The journey to stardom through the eyes of Christopher