According to Riderman, King James stands out as an artist whose songs remain fresh and meaningful even years after their release, thanks to the depth and quality of his writing.
Riderman made these remarks after recently revisiting and reworking King James’ song “Warikiniraga” through a sampling approach. He explained that his admiration for the song inspired him to recreate it in his own style before eventually seeking approval from King James.
Speaking to the media, Riderman said: “The reason I sampled that song is because it’s a beautifully written track, and also because King James is my friend. I actually worked on it before even telling him, then I sent it to him afterward. He immediately told me, ‘You have to release this song,’ and that’s how I ended up putting it out.”
While acknowledging that Rwanda has many artists with hit songs, Riderman emphasized that King James remains among the best when it comes to songwriting.
He said: “I can’t really say he has the most hit songs—that would require proper analysis because there are many artists like The Ben and Bruce Melodie. But I strongly believe he is one of the best songwriters we have. He has created many songs people love, and most importantly, his lyrics never age. They remain relevant over time. He is truly talented.”
Riderman also addressed claims that King James might be underrated, dismissing them as misconceptions. He explained that the singer’s low visibility on social media and limited appearances at public events may give that impression, but in reality, he is highly respected within the industry.
He added: “He is not underrated at all. Every major artist you can think of in this country respects and appreciates him. The only thing is that King James tends to keep a low profile. You won’t see him very active on social media, and he doesn’t perform at many shows. Because of that, people may think he’s overlooked, but that’s not true. He is deeply respected, especially by fellow artists.”
Both Riderman and King James have now spent nearly two decades in the music industry, having started their journeys around 2006. As they approach this milestone, King James is preparing for a major concert to celebrate 20 years in music, scheduled to take place at BK Arena on August 1, 2026.
Riderman also revealed that he is considering organizing a similar anniversary concert. However, due to a busy events calendar this year, he may hold his celebration later in 2026 or early 2027.
Their journey highlights how veteran artists continue to value their legacy, with milestone celebrations serving not only as personal achievements but also as a way to connect and celebrate with their fans.
Riderman said that reworking “Warikiniraga” brought him great joy, affirming that King James is one of Rwanda’s finest songwriters, with a rare and timeless musical talent
WATCH THE INTERVIEW WITH RIDERMAN