A good producer, not expensive equipment, will make that song a hit

Timothy Twishime Nsengiyumva is a budding music producer who lives in Norway, where he is also studying music at Hedmark University College. He is currently in the country for summer holidays. Richard Mugarura caught up with him and talked about his career. As a music producer what exactly do you do? A music producer is a professional who works with recording artistes and bands, sound engineers, record labels and marketing teams to oversee all creative and technical aspects of an album. How did you start producing music? I started as a keyboardist, but later on picked interest in commercial music production after realising that I could arrange songs and play them using a piano and keyboard as well. After gaining skills, I decided to study music production. I have so far so far produced 14 songs, including Ibidashoboka, The good Love featuring Lil Fly (Rwandan singer based in Norway), Divine, ahantu heza, Kure yawe and others. Which places have you visited since you arrived in the country? My first stop was at DJ Pacssons Studio in Nyamirambo to check on how music is being produced, here at home. I later visited a music studio in Kimironko. What did you find out? Each studio is different in terms of equipment and standards. This experience also taught me that the most important thing to have in a studio is a good producer because equipment only compliments a producer’s effort. So, it is not the expensive equipment that makes a hit but, but a combination of good composition by an artiste and a good producer. I also learnt that working with upcoming artistes is the best experience for producers to develop their skills, because big artistes come with their own ideas which they want you to implement. On the other hand, younger artistes come knowing that it is the producer who will make or break them. What is your assessment of the local music industry? It is growing. When I left for Norway with my family 10 years ago, artistes could not live off their music. Things have since changed and the public is beginning to value local talent. The media is also doing a great job to promote local music. Some of our local producers however, lack professional skills compared to those in Norway. I wish to make a contribution by sharing skills with producers and upcoming artistes. I have interacted with some so far. What will you tell Rwandans in Diaspora when you return to Norway? That Rwanda is developing at high rate compared to most of other African countries. Will tell them to comeback and invest in various sectors and contribute to the development of our country because security is 100 percent guaranteed. Any advice to up-and-coming local artistes? We must work as a team in the face of growing competition in the international music industry. Only then, shall we build successful careers in music.