In 2008, a youngster took Rwanda’s music industry by storm with the release of his debut album dubbed ‘Kuki’. Within just few years, the young boy whom the world came to know as Tom Close, real name, Thomas Muyombo, became one of the figures that transformed Rwanda’s music industry, with big achievements like winning the first edition of Primus Guma Guma Superstar competition, which landed him a deal to record a song with Jamaica’s Sean Kingston. Today, after spending over two years without releasing music, Tom Close is back with a new album titled 'Essence', which is already heading to the top of the charts. The 13-track album, according to Tom Close, celebrates the making of Afrobeats and is a dedication to African music giants, especially Fela Kuti, who pioneered the Afrobeats genre in the 1970s. “The music genre of all 13 songs on the Essence album is Afro-beats and all songs are dedicated to African music greats, especially Fela Kuti, who inspired the creation of the genre together with his band, Africa 70,” the artiste noted. Asked why he had disappeared from the limelight in the last few years, Tom Close said, “I can’t say that I had stopped making music; I was just taking my time and plotting a great comeback with this album.” “It took me time to write and produce all 13 songs on the album, which is why I have been quiet in the industry,” he added. The album features big names from Rwanda and across the continent, such as Wezi from Zambia, Apass from Uganda, Sat-B from Burundi, Riderman, Nel Ngabo, Bull Dog, and B-Trey, all of whom ensured that the album gets a blend of African and Black American music styles with a compelling hybrid of culture and sound. Essence was produced by the best music producers in the country, including Knox, who was the lead producer and creator of the music on the album; Bob Pro, who led the mixing, mastering, and finalization of the songs; Producer Clement, who provided direction; and Producer Kenny. The album is out on all major streaming platforms.
