Rwanda’s music industry is growing steadily

Rwanda’s music industry has improved tremendously over the last couple of years-at least, considering where it has come from.Like many other sectors of the economy, the music and arts industry was left in tatters by the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. As a matter of fact, many Rwandan musicians were massacred during the genocide, including prominent ones.So, almost 20 years ago as the country struggled to re-build itself, the music industry too started from scratch.It would be therefore unfair for anyone to judge Rwanda’s music industry in comparison with what it is in other EAC Member states including Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.But for anyone to get a clear picture, you need to look back five or ten years ago. There has been vast improvement in all genres of music from R&B, hip hop to gospel and afrobeat. Today Rwandan music is replacing Ugandan or Kenyan music in clubs and bars or even on radio stations.Who knew that at some point Rwandans would be dancing to songs by their own artistes? It has not come easily though, behind the catchy tunes that make us spring on our feet are hardworking individuals who have not slept day and night trying to coin out a tune to captivate you.What is still lacking perhaps is the collective support from almost all sectors to create a connection as we see it happening in neighbouring countries, but that too is coming slowly. Different sectors including tourism, sports and culture as well as the corporate world are all beginning to appreciate Rwandan music and engaging many artistes-a positive development that was much needed a few years back.Rwanda’s music industry is teaming with artistes, song writers, music producers and videographers whose potential is yet to be fully utilised.The industry itself is capable of employing many youth in various fields. It has the potential to become one of the most lucrative sectors of the economy.IntoreMasamba, one of the few musicians who can be credited for staying put amid difficult times, agrees that Rwanda is endowed with a unique crop of talented musicians who have what it takes to conquer the region.“Rwanda’s music industry is uniquely blessed with people who can achieve a lot especially the young generation. We have to work hard as artistes and show that we have the talent,”“The government or companies come in with sponsorships or consider building schools of art in music dance and drama if they see what we are doing on our part. We only need to work hard and diversify the industry,” says Masamba.The traditional singer encourages the youth to join the industry which is today becoming more professional rather than an industrial for educational failures as it was perceived before.According to the Director of Culture Promotion in the Ministry of Sports and Culture, Lauren ThecleMakuza, the government through the ministry is doing a lot to boost the music and entertainment industry in general.He says some of the strategies are still in the pipeline and so far they are revising the council policy on creative art, emphasis on copyright to guide and help local artistes.Makuza continues to say that many artistes today are involved in the initiative to own their intellectual property and it has changed their lives, though some challenges remain.“Some of the artistes need to develop their skills and professionalism in the industry further to discover the untapped potential and this is what we are doing exactly,”“The government gives sponsorship to artistes to go abroad for performances as part of the initiative. Plans to set up a school of music and arts in Gisenyi are in final stages,” Makuza says.The school which will be located in Nyundo at the former School of Art will offer short courses in filming music videos and other performing arts for a duration of six months to one year under the Workforce Development Authority (WDA).Seasoned traditional artiste Maria YohanaMukankuranga also agrees there is a lot to explore in Rwanda’s near virgin music industry.“The youth today have more opportunities to benefit from the industry than we did and I believe they should go out there and take advantage of whatever is at their disposal,” she observes.“But the youth need to put in much effort, respect copyright laws, develop their video shooting skills further and also get to work more with Rwandan music producers,” she further adds.Both Mukankuranga and Masamba emphasise that the media in Rwanda can play a great role in the growth of the music industry in the country through promoting the artistes while the private sector can start music competition similar to Tusker Project Fame which discovered Rwandan artistes such as Alpha Rwirangira.They further advise that Rwandan artistes should focus on ways of cooperating and developing together rather than competing for short lived fame through the so-called ‘beef’.It is believed that while the rivalry similar to the one seen in neighbouring Uganda between Chamileone, Bebe Cool, Bobi Wine and Gudlyfe is good for publicity, in the long run it affects the growth of the industry as artistes engage in unending bickering.Now that Rwandans are loving their own music, it is important that artistes rather focus more on giving their fans more rather looking at who is more popular or not.

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Rwanda’s music industry is growing steadily