Rwandan afro-beat sensation, Bless Mziki, is quickly making a name for himself in the music industry. Born in Kimironko, a Kigali suburb, the artiste, real name Paul Mugisha, began his music career in 2021. In two years, he has released five songs, with his latest single, ‘Fata’, quickly becoming a fan-favourite. Speaking to The New Times, Mugisha shared his background, inspiration, goals for his music career, and education as a priority. Growing up, Mugisha always loved to sing, but it wasn't until 2021 that he decided to pursue music professionally. He faced challenges at first, but his main goal was to represent his country in the music industry. Aside from music, Mugisha is also an undergraduate student at the University of Kigali, pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in business with honours in marketing. The cultural norm that artistes are never well-educated is what made him take his studies seriously, and he hopes to one day leverage his education prowess with music to turn quite a profit. ‘Fata’ has been creating a buzz, and the inspiration behind the song is fascinating. The word means ‘take’, and the lyrics encourage women to embrace their beauty and take pride in their curves. Mugisha’s music often revolves around themes of love and heartbreak, and he believes it is essential to address these issues through music. He writes his lyrics in the studio while vibing to instrumentals, and other times, he gets inspiration from societal issues. He practices his vocals every day, which helps improve his sound. Like any musician, Mugisha has faced several challenges in his career, especially on the business side of things. “I need influencers, journalists, marketing campaigns, and management to push my content, and without them, it becomes challenging to handle everything alone,” he says. In an effort to capture the attention of social media users and leverage its influence, Mugisha has incorporated dance and lip-syncing into his music. This strategy has attracted numerous people to participate in the challenges he creates, adding to his growing online presence. With his captivating beats and lyrics, Mugisha has successfully tapped into the power of social media to expand his fan base and create a buzz around his music. “I am determined to mix afro-beat and Rwandan culture, work on my identity, and brand myself as a Rwandan artiste worldwide. I plan to release an EP as early as September this year and collaborate with established artistes to boost his career.” Mugisha emphasises the importance of Rwandan artists supporting each other and working together to put the industry on top, just like Nigerian and South African artists. His unique sound makes him a refreshing addition to the music industry and his songs have amassed thousands of clicks across streaming platforms—his talent and determination are bound to make waves in the industry for years to come.
