After years of counting growth in the different sectors in Rwanda, the growing music industry has been stuck on only three genres(Afro-beat, HipHop and RnB) for years as recognized by all music award givers in this country.
This is not because there are no other musicians to create music in the remaining different genres like Zouk, Reggae, Dancehall, Rock among others. Sad to say, but the Rwandan music fan base looks like they enjoy and miss the involvement of these “left out genres”.
So evident during the concerts where dancehall superstars from other parts of the world like Bennie man, Sean Paul, Shaggy, Elephant manhave driven the Rwandan crowds to excitement.
Not forgetting how group Kassav left a Zouk story to tell by their fans in Rwanda. Alpha Blondy and the African reggae Legend Phillip Lucky Dube(RIP) also shared their Reggae music with Rwandans but still all the genres in which these guest artists sing, are not recognized as much as they are highly enjoyed by the fan base.
Speaking to one of the HipHop artists from the group Tuffgang, Green.p this is what he said, “HipHop, RnB and Afro-beat music are highly recognized because they were made known to Rwandans at a time when the media its self was being privatized.” Now many years later and they are still the only recognized genres.
Master.P a music producer from Alpha and Omega studio says “We produce these “left out genres” every day for musicians but still they never get recognized like the three awarded genres. This discourages some musicians”
An interview with a Rwandan dancehall/Reggae upcoming artist Vaga Vybz, this is what he had to say, “Dancehall and Reggae music are highly enjoyed by Rwandan but this type of music still lacks a platform in this country for the musicians to fully showcase their talents for their fans.”
My advice is we should not rely on only three recognized genres in a whole country of talented people. This limits music business and discourages music investors. If this sector is to grow too, it is now time to embrace and involve these other left out genres in our music packages for Rwandans. It is also time for Rwandan music to cross boarders and impact on different types of people. With different types of genres you can impact on different types of people.
Nyarwaya Emmanuel
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