OVER THE YEARS, many promising Rwandan women artistes have tried to create space for themselves in the music world, only to stay on the sidelines, or out of the game altogether. This, as many music enthusiasts argue, is because a large number of young women lack good management that can help them manoeuvre through the music world while others abandon their craft to build careers in other fields of work. The result has seen just a handful of women artistes on the Rwandan music scene, leaving a big gap in the music industry which remains dominated by men. To bridge the gap, KIKAC Music record label is organising a talent detection exercise through which it seeks to introduce new female talented artists to the local music industry and give them a platform to shine under its management. The label, which is home to renowned artists Mico The Best and Danny Vumbi, also aims to give a platform to young and aspiring female artistes who dream of using their talent to become successful musicians. The talent exercise will go through the month of May and is open to any young woman with singing talent. According to Claude Uhujimfura, the Public Relations and Communications Officer at KIKAC Music, bringing the talent detection dedicated only to young women was inspired by the record label’s continued commitment to contribute to the development of Rwandan music by giving young women a platform to shine in music. “Girls in this male-dominated music industry are still few, and our record label has not signed any female artiste. We are bringing this platform to contribute to the development of young women in music, and we feel like it’s a privilege to be part of this move,” Uhujimfura told The New Times. “Rwandan young women have so much talent, and we don’t want to lose these talents. We want to create a room where young women can prove to the music community that they can be as successful musically as men. Although we are proud of our local music, I am sure we can be happier if young women join in this journey as well,” he added. Through ‘The Next Diva’ talent detection, KIKAC Music label targets to sign at least one female talent every two years and do music under its management for a period of five years. Upon signing, the record label will cover everything that an artist needs for their music, including music production, performances, promotion of her music and all-important fashion expenses. “We want to promote at least one female artist every two years because we know it would be a privilege to see young women thriving in this industry. We are looking forward to having a female artiste who has a good future and can inspire other young girls that there is potential in music,” Uhujimfura said. During the talent detection exercise, each aspiring contestant will be required to record a one-minute video and send it to KIKAC Music, Mico The Best, or Danny Vumbi through any of their social media platforms. A team of music pioneers will be named in the panel of judges to ensure transparency during the selection of the best performing female music talent.
