Entertainment: Up close with Tom Close

In a phone interview, The Sunday Times linked up with R’nB singer Tom Close, who talked about his music. What keeps you busy these days?I am completing my third album “NTIBANYURWA”, which will be launched on July 3 and 4. It has ten songs on it, including, “Ubuziraherezo”, “Ndamuhamagara”. They will be accompanied by their videos. I am also among the ten artists in the country wide tour for the Primus Guma Guma events. Do you hope to take Primus Guma Guma cash? I have about 60 percent chance of winning, because I am one of the most experienced artists in that realm. I also took this year’s best male artist award; why not take the cash. Competition and flavour in Rwandan music has significantly reduced since 2010 when artists like The Ben, Meddy and K8 left the local scene. Aren’t we on the verge of losing this entertainment?Well, I don’t agree with you there because this music is actually getting better. More musicians like Kamichi, Uncle Austin and Naason have come up, bridging the gap that was left by the three. Why do you pirate foreign music and use the beats in your songs?Music repeats itself and beats sound similar, even when not deliberately pirated. But, this would be an issue if I pirated those songs and they turned out ugly- I would be sued by Tyra Cruz or Chris Brown, for killing their songs. Does that make piracy legal in local music?“Gushushura” is done by even the biggest names like “Lady Gaga” and Jennifer Lopez. This is just one way of bringing better entertainment to Rwandans. Are you still a member of the” Goodlife Crew”?Yes, though we don’t have any active projects now. I am not actively there because of the distance between our countries, and the fact that I am very busy now. As one of those musicians who have been in the business for quite long, how much money have you reaped?In Rwandan music, there is no money that can buy cars, build houses… I am happy to know and be loved by many people though. What is your word to the young generation of people who look up to you for inspiration?Every achievement comes from hard work and courage. I started with little hope, but I am now comfortable and my music is promising. Ends