The journey to stardom is not an easy one. Aspiring artistes or actors encounter many drug-related experiences that it will take guts to pick themselves up and continue pursuing their passion. Such is the case of Consolee Ruhimbaza, an upcoming singer who has had to battle drugs and family pressure to continue pursuing a music career, which now seems to be shaping up. Known by her stage name Lucky Coco, Ruhimbaza’s journey into music has been an assortment of circumstances. From being neglected by her family for venturing into secular music to getting addicted todrugs, Lucky Coco has overcome insurmountable challenges. Ruhimbaza has on many occasions been asked for sexualfavours in exchange for promoting her songs by male music producers, DJs andartistes, which she rejected. In addition, she resorted to using drugs thinking that they would elevate her to the status of a successful musician. Having grown up in a Christian family, it was nowonder that she treasured singing in the church and school choirs. She learned how to sing at an early age. Due to her love for secular music, she didn’t staymuch in the choir. Her reverie was to sing the kind of music that depicted people’s situations. The sort of music that thrilled the audience to standup and dance along. The music that could make people fall in love. The type ofmusic which played with people’s emotions. The kind of melodies that had no confines. “I was never mesmerised by studies, the language I understood better was music. My parents asked me to at least study up tosecondary school, so that I concentrated on my passion,” she noted. Having finalised secondary school at APFK Gisenyi in2013, she concentrated on singing full time. In 2014, she released her first song, “Komeza ukine,” although all didn’t go as planned. She had many expectations from her family,particularly financial support. Too bad, she was in it on her own.Her parents couldn’t give her support because they didnot support their daughter venturing into secular music –something they thoughtwas done by ‘wasted’ girls who traded their bodies for fame. “One of my uncles had some little faith in me. He gaveme some little money, which I used to release my second song,” she said. She had to however be on her own going forward sinceher uncle wouldn’t fund her all the time.Her ex-boyfriend, who was DJ, had introduced her to aband. After constant rehearsals, she joined Viva band, in 2015. Joining the band enabled her to perform on a number ofevents, network with other musicians and at the end of the day, she pocketedsome money. Since bands usually have night gigs, Ruhimbaza’sparents couldn’t approve a night job, especially for a girl.She was forced to leave home and rent her own placewhere she could have her own liberty, without anyone getting in her way.The 25-year-old songster knew her parents were notimpressed by her decision but she had to pursue her passion. Life in the ‘ghetto’ was not so hospitable for a naïvegirl, who was desperate and hungry for fame. She had to do what it took, to bein the limelight. “I was introduced to all sorts of drugs and alcohol. I smoked marijuana and cigarettes because I wanted to show my peers that I wasthat kind of person. I was pushing so hard, just to be noticed and supported. I didn’t do so for love, but to impress,” she explained.She was addicted. The addiction led to other habitssuch as causing fights whenever she went to perform. Ruhimbaza reckoned that being a musician, one had touse drugs. She lived a life that was intricate. The kind of life that she wouldn’tadvise any girl to taste. With time, she noticed that her music career wasstagnant, there seemed to be a stumbling block, limiting her to go further. Could it be because of her circles, character? She pondered.In 2017, she became involved in an accident that almostcost her life. She lacked money to payher rent, and take care of her needs. As the English saying goes, “East or west, home is thebest”, she packed her bags and went back to her parents for good, to ask forforgiveness and their blessings. The vocalist also dropped the kind of friends thatdidn’t add value to her life and fought the drug addiction. She embarked ongetting new friends that loved her for who she is. Her new friends advised her that she will never reachher goals if she still took the path of destruction, self-pity and camouflage. Ruhimbaza has now occupied herself with writing songs, performing with the band, and rehearsing on YouTube. She is completely freefrom using drugs. There is no doubt that Lucky Coco is one of thefreshest vocalists that Rwanda is blessed with. If you have watched one of hersongs, you would admit that she is talented, creative and of course sings like a goddess. She was surely born to sing. Some of her popular songs include “Komeza ukine”, “I miss you”, “Confused”, “Ihorere”, “Today” and “Absolutely”.
