Ntakirutimana: The nurse with a knack for singing

Famed for songs like Smile, Ntakirutimana and plus belle, Felicien Ntakirutimana aka 2T is an upcoming reggae artiste whose music sends out strong messages of peace and love. A nurse at King Faisal hospital, 2T started singing at a young age in different church choirs. Shoot the Aids, his first song was released in 2005 and it was the start of his music career. He is the founder of Music for Peace and Development band that plays at Alpha Palace Hotel and other events across the country. Sarah Kwihangana talked to him about his life as a nurse and a reggae artiste. Who is 2T? 2T is a simple Rwandan reggae artiste who promotes peace, love and respect through music. What I went through during the genocide; losing my parents and five siblings, witnessing people killing each has made me who I am today. How did you come up with your stage name? I survived the genocide with two sisters and two nephews. Since my nephews refer to me as Tonto (uncle in French) and they are two, I decided to call myself 2T. You are a clinical nurse and a music artiste, how do you balance your schedule? It is easy to balance because they sort of complement each other. Nursing treats the physical aspects of an individual but music heals the soul where medication can’t reach. Music is actually a recommended form of therapy by scientists and Doctors. Most reggae artistes associate with Rastafarianism; do you? I don’t like being associated with the Rastafarian religion because that is not where I belong. I only care about reggae music and its concept. I am just simply a reggae man. What is the perception of Rwandans towards local reggae artistes? People like our music, however there are those who still think that we are drug abusers and always high which is not the case. How do you spend your free time? I spend most of my free time doing voluntary work at orphanages. I usually help kids with their homework, teach them how to play music instruments, but when I’m not doing voluntary work, I’m either swimming or travelling. If you flipped a coin and turned into a woman what changes would you make? I would try to be a mirror image of the wife I would want. I would also love and respect my husband very much. Where do you see yourself in five years? I want to see myself as Rwanda’s king of reggae. Secondly, I want to see myself as a person whose music has had a positive impact on as many lives as possible. Which artistes do you wish to work with? I would love to work with Ivorian Tiken, Jah Fakoli, Richie Spice from Jamaica, Nigeria’s Asa Usher. In Rwanda I would love to work with Diana Teta and Knowless.

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Ntakirutimana: The nurse with a knack for singing