The three-time PAM Awards winner Intore Masamba, is among the country’s most celebrated male artists. Commonly known by his song “Igisimba cyinini” (“A huge animal”), the singer/songwriter started singing at the tender age of five. The first thing you do when you wake up in the morning….I make my prayers. Take a cold wash and then a glass of water. What makes your day? When all my programmes for the day are successfully achieved. I will then sing and consider myself a great “high flier”. Your favourite meal… All Rwandan traditional food: potatoes, cassava, yams, beans and pumpkins. What is your style? I am crazily in love with West African style, from the Boubou to Bitengi. Your earliest memory….. Aged five, my grandfather Munzenze was teaching me the chess. It’s from then that I developed the passion for this game. I am now an expert and in fact only a few will beat me. Your greatest fear …… To become blind. All your money goes on… Adventure - I like traveling and I have managed to tour quite a good number of countries both in Africa and Europe. What keeps you awake at night? Whenever I think of a new song, I cannot sleep. What does love mean to you? It really means a lot of things: Honesty, unconditional, respect, care and intimate. If love is abided by all the above elements it can never be broken or ruined. Which local artist inspires you? I am inspired by my father Sentore Anthonise who is well-known for his traditional blues and Igitaramo. And the late Rugamba Cyprian, he was a great musician who was liked by many Rwandans. What is your favourite word? This is really interesting! Ahubyo rero! Literally translated as (“That’s great!”). Sometimes I find myself saying it to even foreigners who don’t understand the word, leaving them puzzled. Your most unappealing habit…. Being short tempered. Sometimes I fear that one day I will end up committing awful harm to someone, because of my negative quick reaction. Your romantic nightspot in Kigali… Fair Place, which is commonly known by the name of Tarassa. What is the closest you have come to death? It was in 1992, I developed a throat complication and I was transferred to Nairobi hospital. I was operated and spent six months under intensive care. I was more dead than alive. To whom would you most wish to say sorry, and why? Probably no one. All my life I have tried to live with people peacefully. Tell us a secret? Very soon I will travel to America I want to learn the American accent and at the same time study their secret of showbiz. Contact: lindaonly2005@yahoo.com
