As Rwanda’s music scene continues to evolve, a new wave of young, talented artists is emerging, each bringing fresh sounds and creative vibe to the industry. These youngsters ended 2024 in style with a number of hit songs to their names and they promise to dominate the airwaves yet in 2025 and beyond, offering something for everyone, from Afrobeat and hip hop to R&B and trap. The New Times picks up-and-coming Rwandan musicians you should keep an eye on in 2025. Zuba Ray Kina Music record last year signed a female artiste in Zuba Ray, a student at Rwanda School of Creative Arts and Music based in Muhanga District, Southern Province, who is poised to take Rwandan music by storm. Real name Soleil Uwase Irahari, Zuba Ray made her grand entry in the game on September 27, 2024, with the release of her first single “Igisabo”, both composed and produced by Clement Ishimwe, the boss of Kina Music Records. Her vocal skills and strong management line gives her the ability to shine in Rwanda’s music industry this year. Zuba has lived and studied in several East African countries including Burundi and Uganda, one of the reasons why her music is poised to capture the attention of not only local listeners but also the regional and global music industry. Kina Music is one of Rwanda’s leading yet consistently active record labels which has contributed to the rise to stardom of Christopher, Igor Mabano and Nel Ngabo among others. TheDicePrince An active force in the Rwandan music industry, TheDicePrince is quickly catching the attention of many music listeners using his unique style that blends Afrobeats, pop and Afro-fusion sounds. The youngster, Born Prince Murasanyi, is the brains behind tracks like Uri Mwiza, ‘Monica’, Tell Me and others that gained popularity in Rwanda’s mainstream music with the help of Producer Muriro. Dice is a Rwandan songwriter, and composer who produces afro-pop, afro-fusion, and RnB. He is a new talented and promising music brand. Signed to Deealoh Entertainment, which also manages King, DicePrince is definitely one to watch in 2025 given his growing fanbase and fresh approach to music. La Reina Rwanda’s music industry is no longer a male dominated field. It is currently among the most inclusive sectors in the country, as it continues to attract a host of refined female players over the years, and among them is Là Reïna, a Rwandan singer and songwriter known for her soulful music which deeply resonates with her audience. Backed by her brother and producer Prince Khiiz’s record label Hybrid Music, La Reina is pushing her way to establishing herself as the new queen of Rwandan music and her first project ‘Nditinya’ proved that she’s here to stay. She began her professional music career in May 2024, and she’s on a mission to inspire her listeners to embrace vulnerability, express themselves freely, and find solace in the power of music. Her aspiration to become a renowned musical artist, representing Rwanda on the global stage through her music, suggests that 2025 will see her rise even higher, with more collaborations and hit singles on the way. Ella Rings She might be new to your ears, but Ella Rings is currently one of the best vocalists and live performers that the Rwanda music industry gained over the past couple of months. A graduate of the Rwanda School of Art and Music, where she developed her skills and passion for music, Ella first made a public appearance on Flyest Music’s album dubbed Flyest Magic, where she featured on three tracks including One Call Away, Cope and No Worries. She also recently featured on TheDicePrince’s recent song Mamacita, which featured other artistes such as Kivumbi King and Nillan. Impakanizi Rwanda’s Gakondo music is on the cusp of a major transformation led by young artistes including Yves Iradukunda, popularly known as Impakanizi, who is considered to be a major highlight of Gakondo music in 2024. Impakanizi made his debut release ‘Umunyabigwi’ three years ago but it was in 2024 that he gained popularity in Rwanda’s music industry, after dropping his maiden album dubbed Impakanizi that featured hit songs including Ingabe, Rwagisha and many others. Impakanizi’s rise to fame with only one album and unique style makes him a potential candidate to shape the future of Rwandan music in 2025 and beyond. Lisaa Singer Liza Teta Cyuzuzo popularly known as Lisaa, is one of the promising female artistes who are making mark in Rwandan music scene. The success of her first song Forever, released on November 27, 2024, produced by Prince Kiiiz, and directed by Director C, indicate that she is about to make an impact on the music industry this year. With these young talents, each bringing something fresh and exciting to the table with a unique style, there is no doubt that the future of Rwandan music is in good hands.
