During an exclusive interview on InyaRwanda’s “Echoes of Fame,” Pastor P—a renowned music producer celebrated for hits like ‘Habibi’ by The Ben and ‘Adi Top’ by Meddy—unveiled the story behind King James’ iconic song ‘Naramukundaga.’ Though the track was released nine years ago, its idea stemmed from old notes forgotten in a notebook owned by King James.
Pastor P explained, “I don’t know how the conversation started, but his family told me, ‘There’s a song he sang in his childhood about falling in love with a girl.’ He wrote it during high school, tucked it away in a notebook, and forgot about it. He thought it was just a relic of the past. Rwandans connected deeply with it, illustrating its emotional impact.”
The producer highlighted how discussions about ‘Naramukundaga’ frequently emphasized its heartfelt lyrics and emotional resonance. Pastor P felt it was crucial to revitalize the song, believing it carried an understated power King James may not have realized back then.
He recalled, “I told him, ‘We need to record this.’ Sometimes, the concern lies in whether a song resonates with ever-changing trends. But when it dropped, it dominated the airwaves.”
The release of ‘Naramukundaga’ established King James as an artist capable of conveying profound emotions through serene yet moving music. This song marked a turning point in his career while deeply connecting with audiences.
On streaming platforms like YouTube, as well as music-selling sites, ‘Naramukundaga’ earned exceptional ratings and applause from fans and critics alike.
The song’s roots in King James’ family highlight how artists sometimes overlook their creative treasures. Rediscovering and reworking such ideas can transform them into musical masterpieces.
Pastor P, whose real name is Ndanga Bugingo Patrick, shared that his debut music production project was creating a song for FAWE Girls School in 2004. He composed the melody on the piano—marking the beginning of a successful journey in music production.
Over the years, Pastor P has created highly acclaimed tracks for top Rwandan artists. His portfolio includes songs like ‘Habibi’ by The Ben, ‘Adi Top’ by Meddy, ‘Indoro’ by Charly and Nina, ‘Mu Gihirahiro’ by Jay Polly, and ‘Sintuza’ by Urban Boys, among other hits that made waves in the music scene.
Beyond his career in music, Pastor P talks openly about his unique perspective on life. He identifies himself as a believer in God but avoids association with any particular religion. His deep love for his mother is immortalized in the form of a tattoo of her face, symbolizing a special bond full of affection.
As one of Rwanda’s finest music producers, Pastor P reflects on his journey, stating that his passion for music and dedication is what sustains him in life.
The legendary producer emphasized that King James’ hit song ‘Naramukundaga’ was born from family-inspired ideas, proving how personal memories can spark timeless creativity.
Ndanga Bugingo Patrick, widely known as Pastor P, continues crafting songs that resonate with audiences, including iconic tracks such as ‘Adi Top,’ ‘Habibi,’ and ‘Indoro.’
King James and Pastor P’s longstanding collaboration has resulted in multiple beloved songs—reinforcing their enduring impact on the Rwandan music industry.
WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH PASTOR P
WATCH KING JAMES’ SONG ‘NARAMUKUNDAGA’