Peace Jolis on his musical journey

Afro beat and RnB singer, Peace Jolis has been a consistent feature on the music scene since 2013 when he represented Rwanda in the Tusker Project Fame Season 6. The lead singer of ‘Sauti Band’, who is also pursuing a Bachelor of Office Administration and Management at College of Business and Economics (CBE), Gikondo has been slowly moving on to bigger platforms of music. He has managed to perform at various events including Ubumuntu Arts Festival at the Kigali Memorial Center. Unlike most of his counterparts, the vocalist didn’t take the usual path. “My journey did not begin like most artistes. I never sang in a choir or church. I was just into music and I used to attend very many shows but if there was a starting point, then it was secondary school back in 2009,” he says. At the time, Jolis was a student at the Institut Don Bosco, Kabarondo, Eastern Province. He recorded a few songs with Innocent Mucyo during holidays. Mucyo is a producer who has experience having worked with talented singer Ngabo Medard Jobart commonly known as Meddie and Ben Mugisha commonly known as ‘The Ben’. Jolie composed Nakozi iki, Mpamagara and Nkuhisemo and with Mucyo’s expertise, they produced the songs to the excitement of the then student’s family and friends. Jolis’ music is inspired by everyday life and love. His vocals have over the years been honed by experience and age to release songs like Turajyanye, Turi Beza, and A Zero. In 2013, Jolie made it to the Tusker Project Fame Season 6, a music competition that he credits for exposure, confidence and life lessons. Jolis also says that the show exposed him to live performances which he says usually require time and skill. “I was lucky. It’s too complicated for these young artistes to get the exposure that they crave for or even deserve. We have seen Guma Guma Competitions but they are only interested in artists who are already established. I have met many people who are talented and can sing. If Tusker Project Fame started auditions today, they would be spoilt for choice,” he says. The 25-year-old says that one of the biggest challenges in the music business is the lack of music investors. “We don’t have investors interested in investing in music, so as a result, the music never goes beyond our borders,” he says He adds that though the quality of sound has improved, there is still a long way to go before Rwandans can produce quality music like other countries in the region. The artist hopes to release a ten track album this year. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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Peace Jolis on his musical journey