After producing her first gospel audio song, ‘Ndashima’, Helen Uwajeneza Mbangutse believed that she was already on the right track for the music industry. This was in 2013 when she was still in high school. She shared that after learning how the music industry operates, especially in Rwanda, she realised it was more than just a 9-5 job. For her, the industry required a lot of commitment, and most importantly, the passion to keep one there. Mbangutse said after her first song, she faced a lot of challenges including finances, time, and knowledge on what is required of her not just to make it in the industry but also to stay there. “Since I was still in high school, I didn’t have enough time to concentrate on my music career, and so it took a long time for me to come up with other songs. Challenges in finances also made my music stagnant,” she said. Her passion for music Although Mbangutse is still a student, at Catholic Institution of Kabwaye-Muhanga, she is now determined to make her dream of expanding gospel music not only in Rwanda but internationally, come true. Her passion for singing started when she was a young girl. She narrated that she loved singing gospel songs because of the choir she was a part of back then. According to her, this contributed to her love for composing gospel songs. Also, as a Christian, she said, spreading the message of the love of God was and still is, her mission. Apart from just composing and writing her own songs, Mbangutse also loves playing musical instruments whenever she can. Working towards making it in the music industry, she has already produced six songs, four of which are audio while two are in video form already. The video ones include; ‘Ndashima’ and ‘Ndatuje’, her most recent one. Meanwhile, Mbangutse is yet to produce one of her audio songs, known as ‘Azanyakira’ next month. “My music is all about informing and educating people about the word of God. For instance, ‘Azanyakira’ talks about life after death, what will be like leaving in heaven,” she explained. She added that since she is still a budding singer in gospel music, she is yet to learn more as far as music is concerned. “I believe that the main purpose for any gospel artist is to contribute to the ministry of the gospel of God, and passing on the information in music can attract many, including the young generation,” she added.
