As the curtains begin to draw on a remarkable musical journey, Rwandan musician Uncle Austin prepares to unveil his last album 'London'. Named after his daughter, ‘London’ stands out as a testament of Uncle Austin’s evolution as an artiste and a father. Real name Austin Luwano, the musician, who doubles as a radio presenter, is set to conclude over two decades of enchanting audiences with his melodies. As he steps away from singing, the artiste reflects on a career that began in childhood choirs and blossomed into a professional pursuit in 2009. Uncle Austin had a chat with The New Times and discussed his musical journey, his last album close and future plans going forward. What inspired the making of ‘London’? Parenthood triggered and inspired me to name it after my daughter, highlighting the personal significance of this project. The fusion of sounds 'London' isn't just another album in Uncle Austin's discography; it's a culmination of his artistic evolution. This album is full of different styles of music that I have been doing, from R&B to Afrobeats, and Afro dancehall, he said. The overarching theme is love. What sets 'London' apart from your previous works? Before, I always made my music with just one aim - hit songs. But now, I'm working on an album with one thing in my mind: passion. It's the passion for the talent that I nurtured since my early days in primary school. Collaborations and Creativity The album boasts an impressive lineup of collaborations, and half of the 12 tracks feature artists I hadn't worked with before. What message or feeling do you hope listeners will take away from this album? The message I hope listeners will take away from 'London' is simply love. Nothing but love. Can you share any standout tracks or personal favorites from 'London'? London How do you think 'London' will be received from your fans, especially that it's your final work? I don't know. I'm just going to wait for the fans to tell me. Why do you feel this might be your last music album? I just feel like albums are no longer a thing for audiences worldwide, not just in Rwanda. How has your musical journey evolved since you started your career? It evolved from just doing music for fun to making it a business venture as well Looking back at your career, what do you consider your greatest achievement in music? The people’s love, it still means a lot to me. I remember launching my first album in 2012 and filling the Stade Amahoro parking lot. I still feel like I owe the audience for that. Are there any special events planned for the album? Yes, I plan to do so early 2025 What challenges or experiences that have led you to consider this potentially your final album? I have been doing music since I was a child in primary school so, basically, I have been doing this all my life. I'm tired and just need to rest and retire. What’s next? I shall watch from the sidelines but also planning to be a big player in the industry in another capacity to help new talents.
