In an exclusive interview with InyaRwanda, Racine shared insights into his extraordinary journey as both a rapper and the mastermind songwriter behind some of Rwanda's greatest hits. While Racine has established himself as an accomplished rapper, his true genius lies in songwriting—a skill he uses discreetly to enable artists to thrive while taking credit for their performances.
He said, “The songs are there, but I rarely talk about them. I prefer that the artist singing the song should be the one to mention it. I feel it’s unnecessary for me, as fans might lose confidence in their favorite artists upon learning they don’t write their own songs.”
Racine shared that he initially fell into songwriting as a hobby. Realizing the high demand for his talent among artists, he decided to pursue it as a career. He said, “I began writing songs for fun, but over time I realized it had immense value, so I turned it into a full-time profession. It’s now my livelihood.”
Racine has penned numerous hits for Papa Cyangwe, including "Bambe" and "Kuntsutsu," a collaboration with Juno Kizigenza. His contributions extend to major artists like Alyn Sano, Cassandra, and others, though he chooses not to publicly disclose all his collaborations.
He stated, “I’ve written a lot of songs, but I never disclose the titles or the artists I’ve worked with. This is a choice I made to ensure artists continue to maintain the value and recognition of their work.”
Racine proudly considers himself among Rwanda’s top songwriters, a leader in the new wave of entertainment artists in the country.
He explained, “I don’t think anyone has written more songs than I have. I’m unsure about others’ output, but based on what I’ve done, I consider myself first. By 2020, I had already written over 1,000 songs, and now that number exceeds 1,500.”
Reviewing charts of top radio and television songs, Racine often sees three of his creations leading the rankings. This is a shining testament to the popularity and impact of his songwriting.
Primarily focused on writing for others, Racine doesn’t intend to stay in their shadow forever. He expressed his aspiration to create and perform his own music with the same passion he invests in others’ works.
He said, “Music is a gift, and when I see how successful my written songs are, I feel the time has come for me to start producing my own songs with the same level of effort and passion I invest in others.”
Racine embarked on his musical journey back in 2009, and he is confident that his role in advancing contemporary Rwandan music will eventually receive widespread recognition, with artists acknowledging his invaluable contributions publicly.
Recent data confirms Racine has written over 1,500 songs for various artists, showcasing the breadth and depth of his influence in the industry.
He expressed gratitude for artists like Papa Cyangwe, who openly appreciate the transformative impact he has had on their music careers.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH OUR EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH RACINE
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO '100,' A SONG BY PAPA CYANGWE IN COLLABORATION WITH RACINE